According to the latest reports from Dodge Data and Analytics, construction activity has hit the highest levels reported over the past eight months and is expected to grow 5 percent -- on pace with levels achieved last year. While this growth and substantial uptick from April brings exciting opportunities for electrical contractors, customer demands can quickly take a toll on jobsite productivity. The following tips and solutions can help increase productivity on the jobsite, as well as profitability, and help you move onto the next job in a timely fashion.
1. Conduct a skills assessment for the project.
Before you get on the jobsite, analyze the project’s complexity to determine the right mix of employees with the appropriate technical knowledge, experience and expertise needed to successfully complete the job on time and on budget. There should also be some level of contingency planning. If a skilled worker is sick or injured, there should be a backup plan in place to seamlessly put another qualified worker on the jobsite with minimal workflow interruption. The electrical contractor must be confident in his or her staff and plan accordingly for each unique job.
2. Partner with innovative manufacturers offering “installation-ready” wiring devices.
On the jobsite, every minute counts. Devices that expedite installation with both safety and convenience in mind, like PlugTail® wiring devices from Legrand, serve as an ideal solution -- allowing contractors to move more complex tasks to the front of the project and optimize total installed cost at the opening. The unique PlugTail connector makes wiring device installation easier than conventional pigtailing, doesn’t require a wire caddy, and the included polybag keeps the connector free of dirt, dust and joint compound until trim-out. At device installation, just click in the connector to the back of the wiring device and tighten the mounting screws. It takes less than a minute – three times faster than a conventional device installation – with consistent connections every time. The wiring device family offers the fastest, most consistent, most reliable installation solutions for any commercial job, including hospitals, colleges and universities, offices, retail and entertainment venues, hospitality properties and multi-dwelling facilities. Calculate how much money you can save using PlugTail over conventional wiring devices using this cost-savings calculator from Legrand.
3. Focus on supply chain optimization.
Align with manufacturing and distribution partners to integrate your jobsite requirements into their supply chains. Implement the necessary steps to ensure the right products are seamlessly delivered at precisely the right time to the jobsite, in a way that improves on-site processes. To make this just-in-time delivery process work, contractors should identify manufacturers and distributors that they want to integrate with before the project starts, and collaborate to establish the necessary plans, policies and processes. The contractor should also be reviewing their on-site processes to ensure that as they progress through the project there are triggers that signal to the supply chain that new products are needed just before inventory runs out. If optimized correctly, a well-run supply chain will deliver time, productivity and financial returns on investment.
While some electrical contractors may face a few challenges and have to deal with a number
of business-related issues, jobsite productivity is still relatively easy to attain. The implementation of strategies and processes to enhance project planning, manage supply chains, establish robust supplier relations, address labor and skill issues and use preconfigured and more reliable products are critical productivity components. Implemented correctly, they will deliver labor and financial savings and facilitate getting contractors off the current jobsite faster and onto the next with ease with a minimal number of callbacks. More productivity in the industry will be attained as more electrical suppliers, distributors and contractors and subcon- tractors begin to align their systems and processes.
To learn more about how PlugTail can save time on your next jobsite, visit legrand.us/plugtail.
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