The construction industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with leading firms increasingly viewing themselves as technology companies that happen to build things, according to Mike Pierle, Chief Operating Officer of Construction at Clayco.
“We kind of view ourselves as a data company,” Pierle says. “We utilize information to empower the men and women on site to make good decisions and how do we embrace technology to make this workplace safer, higher degree of quality with a higher accuracy of timing.”
The Digital Revolution in Construction
This shift toward data-driven operations represents a dramatic evolution for an industry traditionally viewed as resistant to technological change. According to Pierle, the transformation is being driven by the need to address multiple challenges simultaneously, from safety and quality control to workforce efficiency and project timing.
“Smart technologies to enable offsite production and manufacturing, can enable reduction of workforce on the job site, which enables progress to be made in the field,” Pierle explains. This approach helps address both workforce shortages and quality control challenges.
Real-World Applications
The impact of this technological transformation is particularly evident in complex projects like data centers, where Clayco has become a major player. “We’re finding just an incredible insatiable thirst of the big tech as well as the developers that are supporting that space,” Pierle says.
Technology integration extends beyond just project management. “We have a planning group that is enabling us to understand the full requirements, both from a physical logistics as well as a resource of personnel and workforce perspective,” according to Pierle.
Safety Through Technology
One of the most significant applications of technology is in workplace safety. “We’re continuing to build that capacity capabilities to the extent that we are initiating, an electrical safety and quality training center,” Pierle says, describing how technology is being used to enhance worker protection.
The Future of Construction
Looking ahead, Pierle sees technology playing an increasingly central role in construction operations. “We’d like to see our future continue to embrace even more so the technology that is emerging,” he says, “and to find speed and also focus on the safety as well as the quality of delivery.”
However, Pierle emphasizes that technology isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about solving complex problems for clients. “Clayco prides ourselves on building in the most complex environments, We like to sit side by side and help them paint their vision and bring that vision to reality,” he explains.
