MOVING MOUNTAINS
Leveraging Technology to Advance the Industry
BY PETER TATEISHI F
or centuries, the construction industry has been at the fore- front of innovation. We have been
asked to make the impossible a reality. Our work brings to life what others only dreamed about. Our work lays the foun- dation that enables our communities, cities, and society to function and have the ability to create and innovate across all other sectors. Though we have always leveraged technology and worked to find creative solutions to challenges and problems, companies in our industry are not always the “early adopters.” Tere are significant risks in being a contractor, including financial and safety risks. Therefore, change comes at a cost, which means we often need proof of concept before we adopt it. However, as an industry, we need
to rethink our cautious approach. Yes, we have come to appreciate technology and new ways of building, and we tend to have that change forced on us. Our industry faces disruption, and we must ask ourselves whether we want this disruption to happen to us, or with us. Technology tends to be viewed as
a “tool” to make our jobs easier. The truth is that technology is a partner. It is something that wants to evolve to be better and meet our needs differently. Tis partnership only happens when we work with technology and provide the feedback that will help tech developers create innovations that are effective on our jobsites. We must change our perspective so that we can have more influence on technology, which will
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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2024
result in better outcomes for our workers and our projects. Additionally, it is critical that we
work even harder at finding more sus- tainable ways to build. Our impact on our communities is not just our end product. Te materials and means for how we build have lasting impacts on our environment. We have always been a responsible industry, rising to meet the challenges that face our industry, like safety. Now, we are recognizing that how we build is just as important as what we build. And to ensure that we can continue to make progress in building more sustainably, we must engage with decision-makers and regulators who seek to advance the same goals. Only then can we build a timeline that will ensure success in accomplishing these goals without undermining the ability to still deliver the projects our communities so desperately need. No one understands the work we do,
the risks we take on, and the dangers we face better than the members of AGC of California. Tat is why it is so important that we engage in the conversations around technology and sustainability and learn to better partner with the companies, decision-makers, and reg- ulators so that our work can continue to advance with us and so that we can continue to build a better California.
Published bi-monthly for members of the Associated General Contractors of California 3095 Beacon Boulevard West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422
www.agc-ca.org
PUBLISHER Al Rickard Association Vision (703) 402-9713
arickard@assocvision.com
www.associationvision.com
EDITOR Carol A. Eaton Eaton Communications (707) 789-9520 carol@eaton
communications.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carolyn Ward Association Vision (704) 677-3051
cward@associationvision.com
DESIGNER THOR Design Studio Washington D.C.
| Austin
info@thor-studio.com
www.thor.design
CORRESPONDENCE Address editorial and circulation correspondence to: California Constructor AGC of California 3095 Beacon Blvd., West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 371-2422 or call Carol Eaton at (707) 789-9520 or
eatonc@comcast.net
2023 SILVER
NATIONAL AWARD
asbpe.org
Kindest Regards, Peter Tateishi, CEO
2023 Silver National Award Winner for Publication Redesign
COPYRIGHT 2023
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