Many businesses are turning to digital solutions in order to stay competitive. The construction industry, however, is dragging its feet. But even here there are many innovations that are worth investing in. As this piece from Surplex explains, old construction equipment generates the required capital.
Despite the COVID lockdowns, the last two years have been good for the construction industry. A huge number of jobs resulted in a real boom in the sector and made businesses feel optimistic about their future. However, political tensions, materials shortages and inflation seem to have put a stop to this. The expectations indicator of the Ifo Institute, which measures the business climate in Germany, has fallen for the first time in years. The number of jobs is reducing and competition between businesses is getting tougher. So how can you assert yourself in the market?
Investing for the future
Modernising your operations enables you to remain competitive and drive forward the digital revolution in the sector. What many companies in the metal and timber processing industry are already doing seems to be met with a more reserved attitude in the construction sector. Many companies lack a strategy for the digitalisation of their operations or they are holding back from the actual implementation. Updating to new software or new technologies means spending money, time and effort.
Yet the transition from conventional construction machine technology to digital progress is necessary – it improves not only the construction process, but also allows the increasing demands of urban development to be met, both now and in the future. Increasingly stringent requirements for environmental protection and quality of life mean that the modernisation of the construction industry goes hand in hand with modern, sustainable projects.
From new software to high-tech robots
There are many areas when the construction can start modernising itself. New technologies, such as management and analysis software, blockchain, 3D modelling and AI, can be used at various points throughout a project: For example, when planning a project a the materials required, for fast implementation, or for improving work processes and collaboration on the construction site. Implemented properly, processes can be improved and resources saved, ultimately reducing costs for the client.
Your company becomes a more attractive choice for the job. There are also technologies that can simplify and enhance processes on the construction site itself. For example, drones can help monitor what’s happening on large sites. Laser scanners allow the surrounding to be precisely measured, and VR glasses can be used to digitally visualise the new structure in its future location.
One type of modernisation that has been a standard feature for a long time now, but can still bring further added value to the construction industry, is the use of robots. These work with both speed and precision and offer a solution to the worker shortage.
Selling second-hand machines to fund digitalisation
The modernisation your own operations can fail due to not having enough money in the budget. What many companies don’t realise, however, is that their old and used construction machines are just dead capital. Instead of letting them rot or selling them off for a minimal price, it is worth putting them up for sale with the help of experienced professionals. Industrial auction houses such as Surplex.com can help construction firms put their used excavators, bulldozers cranes up for sale on the international market.
Surplex provides a complete service from initial valuation to invoicing through to shipping. Experts in 15 European countries sell used construction machines at the best possible prices. Selling used equipment doesn’t just give these machines a new life and thus help the environment – it also releases capital that can be used to modernise your business. This allows construction firms to keep up with the times and remain competitive in the currently difficult market conditions.
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