Howick Event Brings Together Construction Leaders
Howick Ltd, the manufacturer of light steel roll-forming technology, brought its STEEL HORIZONS construction industry showcase to Boston in June. More than 100 of construction industry leaders gathered at the Autodesk Technology Center for speakers and presentations about the future of construction along with a tour of the Autodesk facility.
As a long-term collaboration partner with Autodesk, Howick hosted a live demonstration of the Howick X-TENDATM 3600, now resident at the Technology Center. This system manufactures game-changing telescopic light steel framing components for interiors that are extendable in any direction, dramatically cutting the time it takes to install internal walls and ceiling frames. Speakers at the event included:
• Allison Scott, Autodesk: Design and tech innovation.
• Dave Cooper, Cooper Metal Works: Industrialized construction.
• Brandon Ionata, StrucSoft: BIM.
• Magdalena Kowalczyk, Autodesk: Future of construction tech.
• Amy Marks, Queen of Prefab: Rethinking building products and sustainability.
• Scott Mitchell, STUD-IO: “AI as Client” installation.
• Amr Raafat (Windover Construction) & Hamish Coubray (Howick): Tech and teamwork.
• Jim Stoddart, Autodesk: Generative workflows.
• And Russell Wills, MODLOGIQ: Offsite manufacturing.
Learn more about the Howick event on the website found at steelhorizons.com.
Howick Survey Reveals Opportunities for Construction Software Developers
Howick Ltd recently undertook a global Construction Software Survey, providing valuable insights into the brands of software in use, how those tools are being used, and how they might be improved for the benefit of users.
The survey was completed by 242 leaders in the construction industry. It explored the overall usage of construction technologies like framing automation and CNC-driven technology. It looked at how the take-up of software changed by sector. Then it delved into specific categories, including architectural design, MEP design, framing detailing, engineering analysis, cloud-based BIM, and the usage of 2D and 3D technology.
The survey findings provide significant insights to benefit users and software developers. While the use of technology in the industry is increasing, the results revealed limitations and many challenges to be addressed, as well as opportunities for future development to encourage further adoption.
There were several common themes highlighted in the overall responses relating to desired features and functionality:
1. The desire for improved integration and collaboration between different tools to enable seamless integration, so users can collaborate and share information easily.
2. Streamlined workflows and the automation of repetitive tasks such as structural calculations and design, as well as the use of AI and cloud services to speed up the design process, saving time and increasing efficiency.
3. Improved user interfaces and design capabilities so the software is easier to use and more intuitive.
4. There is a desire for software to integrate better with Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools, and to work with a wider range of file types and other software.
Learn more including what software developers need to improve upon on the website at www.howickltd.com/stories/
construction-software-survey-insights.
MBCEA Honors Members, Names Buildings of the Year
The Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) presented two member awards at its 54th Annual MBCEA Conference, held in May in Nashville.
The Robert and Beverly Ketenbrink “Oil Can” Service Award was given to Keith Wentworth for his dedication and service to the metal building industry. Greg St. Clair was honored as a new member of the MBCEA Pioneers Club for his 33 years of service in the industry.
The MBCEA also announced its 2023 Building of the Year winners. The overall winner was the Terminal F roof retrofit project at the Port of Miami, undertaken by Lemartec Builders of Coconut Grove, Florida. It included a metal building and roof from Varco Pruden Buildings of Memphis.
Among the other winners was a renovation and reroof in Pennsauken, N.J., that featured buildings, metal roof, and metal wall panels by Metal Sales Corporation and American Buildings. MB
This article is from the Fall 2023 issue.
