From what I’m reading and hearing, contractors are buying, so it must be good timing that this issue and the one next month are our Buyers’ Guide issues. This month’s AWCI’s Buyers’ Guide features AWCI manufacturer members, and the suppliers/distributors will be published in our September issue.
AWCI’s Buyers’ Guides highlight the 17 primary MasterFormat™ categories most relevant to our industry in the “Part 1—Products” section of the guide (page 44). Visit www.awci.org/buyersguide to view the complete list of categories and subcategories.
The second part of the guide, which starts on page 52, provides you with all the contact information for all AWCI member manufacturers and manufacturers/suppliers/distributors. They are listed in alphabetical order by company name. Note that all AWCI member manufacturers are listed in the second section whether or not their product information appears in the first section or in the Online Buyers’ Guide, the data source for the print edition. The published information in each AWCI member listing has been supplied by the member company, which is responsible for its validity.
Also in the second section, advertisers in this issue and other advertising partners have their company logo placed above their listing. (Thank you for your support!)
AWCI’s Construction Dimensions cannot guarantee the accuracy of these free listings, so please contact the respective companies for clarification or details. Companies responded by May 15, 2017, to be in this guide.
Virtual reality and augmented reality and their applications in the built environment are explored in the article that begins on page 38. Some contractors are using this “new” technology, and some are still researching the possibilities. I have a feeling this is something like BIM, which many were hesitant to even consider using—at first. These new “realities” offer great advantages to construction company owners, but those advantages won’t be realized until the tech is accepted and used. In this article we spoke with several wall and ceiling contractors who are on the forefront and willing to share what they’ve learned so far.
One of the things they’ve learned is that hiring programmers may be necessary. Our writer, Mark L. Johnson, continues the discussion in his “InSync” column, which you’ll find on page 30. Here he offers three tips for bringing your company into the future.
Finally, we continue the celebration of AWCI’s 100th birthday with an article that looks at how tools and materials have changed in the last 100 years. From spray guns to screws, gypsum board to EIFS, things sure have changed! I have heard it said many times that contractors are slow, if not resistant, to change, but this article shows just how far we’ve come. This fun article can be found on page 62.
Those are our features, but I also want to draw your attention to some of our columns. AWCI Technical Director Robert Grupe discusses OSHA’s beryllium rule and how proposed changes could impact the construction industry in his “Wachuwannano” column on page 31. Also, Doug Bellamy shares more management savvy with you in his discussion on delegation. His “Management Desk” column starts on page 24. And last but not least, Vince Bailey’s “Estimator’s Edge” column (page 28) describes what it’s like for an estimator to take vacation time—forced vacation time. Vince’s writings often make me laugh a lot, and I’m sure you’ll relate to and appreciate the timely piece he has written for us this month. At a minimum, I’m pretty sure you’ll smile.
Enjoy!
