Despite the competitive nature of project procurement, it is beneficial to connect with other construction businesses and project owners to talk through the host of potential risks and challenges facing industrial contractors. The seventh annual ABC Users Summit will offer just that opportunity May 15-17 in Dallas. The event features industrial and health care tracks for attendees to discuss how to collaboratively improve upon the planning and delivery of high-quality construction projects.
Below, Ryan Odendahl, president of Ohio- and Texas-based Kwest Group, explains the value of participating in the ABC Users Summit, where attendees can engage in open discussions with industry peers about safety performance, the economic outlook, contracting strategies and technology.
Why is it valuable for industrial owners to attend the ABC Users Summit?
It provides a collaborative atmosphere and an opportunity for industrial owners to engage in productive conversations with contracting firms that have come to the summit to gain a better understanding of how they can best serve the needs of their industrial clients.
In addition, industrial owners can participate in valuable discussions with their peers regarding best practices related to safety, quality, workforce development and procurement.
What has your company gotten out of the event?
Kwest Group has attended multiple summits in the past, where we learned best practices utilized by both owners and contractors. In addition, we have made many connections with industry professionals that have developed into valued relationships.
Even with numerous, competing demands on the time of our team members, Kwest Group regularly sends multiple people to the event because we receive that great of a return on the investment of our time and resources.
What challenges are industrial contractors and owners contending with in 2019?
The oncoming challenges are the demand for infrastructure improvements in all sectors and the increasing shortage of trained craft professionals.
All contractors are seeing similar trends—quick bid turnarounds, aggressive project schedules and challenging project scopes—which require careful planning of resources and operations to maximize safety, quality and efficiency.
Where is the labor shortage felt most acutely in the industrial sector?
In our experience, craft professionals are in high demand, as they should be, across the United States. Within the footprint that Kwest Group operates, the greatest labor shortage challenge has occurred in Texas and surrounding southwest states.
In our opinion, the key to combating the workforce shortage is for contractors to develop an open and trusting relationship with associates in all positions, as well as committing to providing the training—both technical and soft skills—that they need to be successful.
How can an excellent safety culture generate repeat business with industrial owners?
Bottom line and without exception, safety is the most important aspect of our industry and the most important part of my job. One injured team member is too many on any project.
The focus on safety from the men and women in the construction workforce is definitely a differentiator when many owners evaluate construction firms for project award. The barriers of entry from a safety performance perspective have risen, and the contractors that innovate and achieve will be in a position to develop meaningful relationships with their clients.
Learn more at userssummit.abc.org.
