Compressed construction schedules have become common across the industry. Owners continue to push for faster project delivery, while labor shortages, material and equipment delays, design changes and weather-related disruptions often leave contractors with less time to complete the work.
SmartPM, which analyzed more than 50,000 project schedules, found that 60% of projects had compressed schedules. It also found that 76% of projects showed signs of delay when compared to their baseline schedules. By the project’s midpoint, fewer than 12% remained on track with their intended progress. Compressed schedules often contribute to cost overruns and rework. FMI Corp., a management consulting and investment banking firm, estimates that poor quality and rework account for approximately 5% of total construction costs.
The Scientific Electronic Library Online identified that the most relevant causes of construction work setbacks in a study examining the factors of delays in construction projects. They are:
- Postponements in the delivery of materials;
- Reworks due to errors during construction;
- Delays in payments throughout the project;
- Labor productivity;
- Project changes; and
- Climate and weather conditions.
While many schedule pressures originate outside the glazing scope of work, they impact how glass contractors plan production and execute installations. To remain competitive, the industry is adopting new strategies and technologies designed to improve productivity and keep projects moving.
Adapting to Compressed Schedules
The glass and glazing industry is responding to tightened construction schedules in several ways. These include expanding prefabrication, improving communication and coordination among trades, adopting digital project management tools and investing in equipment that boosts productivity and reduces labor demands. These investments include glass vacuum lifters, robotic systems, mini cranes and automated material handling equipment.
While project-specific data on glass handling equipment remains limited, research on construction automation and robotics shows that productivity-focused equipment can minimize rework and improve schedule performance. For glazing contractors, tools such as vacuum lifters, robotic manipulators and automated handling systems allow crews to install larger glass units more efficiently and with fewer workers.
Smarter Handling Boosts Productivity
The continued modernization of glass handling equipment, such as Wood’s Powr-Grip’s (WPG) Powr-Lift 1600, Smartlift’s SL 409 and Ergo Robotic Solutions’ GM5000-12, helps fabricators and installers handle and lift heavy glass lites easily. These automated and assisted handling systems allow fewer workers to complete tasks that previously required larger crews, helping contractors maintain schedules even when staffing is limited.
Bryan Wood, president and CEO of Montana-based WPG, points to several vacuum lifting equipment advancements that are improving jobsite efficiency and reliability, including:
- Higher load capacities to handle larger and heavier glass units;
- Greater versatility to adapt to a wider range of applications and jobsite conditions;
- Improved user-friendly designs that simplify operations and reduce training demands;
- Advanced safety features that help protect workers and minimize installation risks;
- Enhanced reliability to keep crews productive and avoid costly downtime; and
- Easier access to service and replacement parts to address maintenance needs and keep equipment running.
Those improvements have helped transform vacuum lifting equipment from a productivity advantage into a common part of modern glazing operations. Bryan Strobel, WPG’s product engineering manager, says the technology has become so established that vacuum lifters are now considered standard practice on many jobsites.
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