Reducing Construction Costs With Tires
With the construction industry in a period of steady growth and the number of building projects outpacing the workforce, slowing down for the winter isn’t an option for many construction companies (barring the occasional two-foot snowstorm). Although it’s possible to work on construction projects all winter, companies should plan on an increase in the cost of operations and a decrease in the productivity of their workforce—making for a very small margin for error in their budgeting and planning.
As the weather worsens, production declines on most winter construction projects. In fact, it’s no small decline. Many experts estimate a loss of up to 60% productivity. Energy and labor is spent on snow removal and protecting materials from the elements, cumbersome cold-weather clothing slows workers’ movement, and trying to stay warm—whether it's standing around a heater or going inside to escape the elements—pulls workers away from the job at hand.
As much as construction companies would like to speed up their workers, slowing down is not a terrible thing. Construction sites can be hazardous in the best of times. The addition of snow and ice can make them downright treacherous. Sites should be carefully cleared and pathways sanded or de-iced. Workers should be urged to be cautious when walking around the job site, and made aware that snow can conceal many hazards. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common workplace accident and can cost companies anything from the loss of a valuable employee on-site to a workers' compensation claim.
With the cold and the snow also comes an increase in fuel consumption. Construction companies are forced to either run specialized equipment or repurpose their equipment for snow removal—in addition to the job at hand—which increases the amount of fuel used. Cold weather reduces the productivity of other equipment, like concrete mixers, requiring them to run longer than they would in more moderate weather and burn more fuel. In addition to the extra fuel used by the equipment, heaters may be required to keep the workforce safe and on-site, further increasing fuel consumption and taking a bite out of the bottom line.
While construction projects can be more expensive to undertake during the winter, we can help reduce costs and put a little extra into your bottom line. We currently makes a range of reliable, and longest-lasting construction tires. Our broad lineup includes some of the most versatile tires on the market, like the Alliance MultiUse 550 that can easily transition from site work to snow removal, helping keep your site clear and your crew on schedule. Last, we pride ourself on our low total cost of ownership (TCO) by providing you with a high-quality, long-lasting tire that can increase your efficiency while lowering fuel consumption...ultimately saving you money!
