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The Aluminum Formwork System and the 3 Amazing Benefits It Offers

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Aluminum Formwork|The Aluminum Formwork System and the 3 Amazing Benefits It OffersThere are benefits to using aluminum as a form during construction. In this article, three of those benefits will be highlighted. You will learn what formwork is, the steps involved in construction, and the practicality of this modern construction framework.

What is a Formwork System?

When concrete is poured, something structural needs to be in place to hold it while it cures. An Aluminum Formwork system is a type of building framework that contains the concrete while it is drying. It is used in the modern construction of buildings, small and large, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings. Formwork is a temporary structure that supports the concrete until the concrete portion is complete and sturdy on its own.

How is Formwork Used?

The term “formwork” refers to the panels used to make the frame, also called forms. A metal formwork consists of, in this case, an aluminum framework that supports the concrete foundation. Panels are secured using falsework (hardware that holds forms together) to prevent concrete from pouring through the cracks. It eliminates the need for plaster and allows for full finishing. Aluminum can be compared to steel formwork but is considerably lighter in weight. It is used to cast both the main structure and the building’s details, including doors, stairways, and windows.

Three Benefits of an Aluminum Form

  • An aluminum form is time-efficient. A construction crew can build one story every four days during typical construction. It is also easy to repair when damaged. It requires less maintenance and less skill to utilize. Aluminum forms can be lifted without using cranes due to the low aluminum density, making them very lightweight.
  • It is sturdy and durable. An aluminum rail section is welded to an aluminum plate. All components are manufactured using a metal alloy plate. The formwork supports itself laterally and vertically. When an aluminum form is installed, it self-supporting with a complete framework. Panels are made from a strong aluminum alloy using a thick skin plate and a thick ribbing to provide a strong panel.
  • Aluminum is safe and efficient. It’s lightweight and robust nature a strong framework for high rise building and flats. A large work area is created, which makes for a safe construction work-site. It is easy to clean and repair.

Five Easy Steps to Using Formwork With Aluminum

Using a beam calculator ensures that the systematic and efficient steps are followed accurately, making it easy for workers to set the area and advance to the next phase quickly. First, prepare and mark out the area to prepare for rebar and electrical components. Next, fix the rebar and put in place the electrical and mechanical parts. Align and erect the formwork frame. At this stage, it will be easy to pour the concrete. Finally, strike the formwork. Now move on to the next phase or repeat for another unit.

Conclusion

Aluminum is a versatile and efficient modern construction platform for formwork. It can be rented or purchased. It’s used in both small and large building constructions, including high-rise structures. Aluminum as formwork is a modern and cost-, time-, and labor-saving framework. Compared to other formwork materials, including steel, plywood, and plastic, aluminum is an effective alternative. It is a plentiful resource and can be transported more easily than heavier elements. It is easy to clean between uses and is easy to mold. It is recyclable and non-corrosive. Aluminum is an efficient choice for building constructors considering which materials to use.

Maintaining Mental Health As An Entrepreneur: Four Essential Rules

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Mental Health|Maintaining Mental Health As An Entrepreneur: Four Essential RulesMany individuals still believe that entrepreneurship will provide them with the freedom that they could not achieve as workers. While there are some cases where this is true, in reality, entrepreneurship usually creates higher demands than regular employment. It can be anything from stress and burnout to breakdown and depression, but running your own organisation often affects general wellness and mental health.

Whether you are working freelance, planning on launching your business or you have been running your own company for a number of years, it’s crucial to prioritise your mental wellbeing. Therefore, we have put together a few tips to help you take better care of your mental health.

Separate Work From Home

Thanks to the pandemic, most of us are working remotely these days. However, when you work from home, it is difficult to separate work life from home life, particularly if you’ve never worked from home.

To maintain a work-life balance, make sure you have a place that can be used as a dedicated office and do all your work there. When it’s time to unplug, leave the room and close the door. It will be much easier to leave work if you are in a different physical space. Also, sign out of your work email on your phone, turn off all notifications and try to resist the urge to work from your phone while sitting on the couch or laying in bed.

Additionally, consider creating a schedule for yourself and stick to it. This way, you will have less stress or mental clutter as an organised life is a less stressful life.

Decompress & De-Stress Every Day

Whether it’s reading books, journaling, meditating or even playing video games, successful entrepreneurs incorporate some “me time” into their daily schedule. This means finding moments where you can leave work out of your mind and check-in with yourself to feel rejuvenated and be better in dealing with your daily stress.

Prioritise Healthy Choices & Physical Activity

Nourishing your body through healthy eating and daily exercises is also crucial for both your mental and physical health. Eating healthy and balanced meals and snacks will prevent depression and cognitive impairment, and help you boost your mood, maintain your energy, stay focused and be more productive. At the same time, regular physical activity not only keeps your body in better shape but also helps with essential things like sleep and mood.

Incorporate CBD Into Your Daily Routine

Today, CBD oil is becoming increasingly popular as a natural and effective solution for mental health and general wellbeing. CBD is able to interfere with the receptors of your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for different processes occurring in your organism such as sleep, appetite, inflammation, stress, immune response, etc.

Intake of CBD oil for anxiety can help to alleviate anxiety and stress, improve focus and energy, boost mood, relieve pain or promote relaxation after a long day to experience restful sleep. CBD is also very versatile so that you can buy CBD oil in various formats such as capsules, tinctures, edibles, vapes and many others.

Protect Your Supply Chain During a Pandemic by Using Automation

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Supply chain|Protect Your Supply Chain During a Pandemic by Using AutomationIn 2004, there was a severe earthquake and subsequent tsunami that resulted in profound effects to several Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand and Indonesia. These were followed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. as well as the Tohoku earthquake in Japan in 2011. All of these crises foreshadowed a reality that the global pandemic of 2020 confirmed: There are systemic weaknesses in most companies’ global supply chains that must be mitigated. Automation may be one of the most important solutions.

THE TRUTH REVEALED

Just what did these crises show? For one thing, they demonstrated that the just-in-time philosophy that many automobile and electronics manufacturers had adopted broke down in the face of these catastrophes. Because companies only possessed just enough parts and materials for their immediate needs, they were left high and dry when their suppliers had to close down.

Another flaw that came to the surface was lack of visibility. A manufacturer might have had a close working relationship with a STmicroelectronics product distributor, for example, yet they had only a foggy idea of the tertiary vendors who were affiliated with that company. Ultimately, this failure to undergo the long and expensive process of mapping led to greater costs and a loss of transparency when disaster struck.

THE PANDEMIC PRESENTS UNIQUE CHALLENGES

COVID-19 has changed virtually everything, including the way electronics manufacturers operate. Social distancing in a warehouse setting can be difficult, and there also may be COVID-related staff shortfalls that are causing bottlenecks. This is where technology can save the day.

AUTOMATION AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Automated assistants or robots never become ill, and they don’t need to adhere to physical distancing or other virus-related rules. A robot can deliver items between workers and can become a tireless assistant to an employee or team. Today’s mobile autonomous robotic cart (MARC) technology takes automation a step further. It operates simply and efficiently without the need for WiFi, yet its sophisticated inner workings enable it to take stock of its environment and easily move and manipulate items.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another emerging innovation that can reduce disruptions and make it possible for electronics products to reach consumers and retailers in a timely fashion and in compliance with quality standards. For example, AI can be used for route planning and even for trouble-shooting and redirecting a shipment if an unforeseen event should arise. Furthermore, chatbots can communicate with suppliers, place purchasing requests, send routine correspondence to suppliers regarding regulation compliance, research and answer questions and receive and record invoices and payments. In addition, machine learning can be used to manage warehouses more efficiently.

When disaster strikes, there is no single solution or cure that will wipe it all away and restore full functionality. However, automation brings many different tools to the table that can help to prevent supply chain disruptions and mitigate the effects of the ones that do occur. As technology continues to advance, automation’s capabilities will only skyrocket.

How to Decide if Contractor Material Financing is Right for You

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Finances Article |Contractor Material Financing|How to Decide if Contractor Material Financing is Right for YouAs an entrepreneur in the construction industry, you might find yourself juggling a backlog of accounts payable, a stack of past-due invoices from suppliers and new projects in your pipeline that require even more equipment and materials ASAP. Though suppliers typically offer 30-day terms, any contractor knows it often takes much longer than that to get paid on completed work, leading to inconsistency in cash-flow.

While there are several contractor financing options available, credit card limits are many times too low on limits for your needs (especially for larger commercial projects) and traditional lenders are known to require blanket liens on your business just to work together. However, project-based financing for purchasing construction materials is an ideal option that’s growing in popularity with many savvier contractors today. In particular, contractor material financing can provide the flexibility you need to close the cash-flow gap, keep projects on schedule, bid on bigger projects and scale your business faster.

How Does Contractor Material Financing Work?

You obviously can’t begin a project without materials — but, chances are, you probably won’t get paid on your last project before the next one begins. That’s why materials are such a popular option for project-based contractor financing.

In this scenario, your business partners with a construction partner who gets to know your business and the types of projects you work on. Then, they pay your supplier directly with upfront cash so you can secure materials exactly when you need them. Finally, you repay the cost of the materials to your financing partner over an extended period of time, versus in one lump sum, in order to keep your projects running smoothly, allowing you to simultaneously bid on more projects.

And with material financing, you’ll enjoy:

  • Higher credit limits – funded to your needs and the project.
  • Faster funding – in many cases, as quickly as same-day.
  • Better supplier pricing – by paying in cash, take advantage of supplier cash discounts.
  • Lower monthly payments

Perhaps the greatest benefit is that, unlike the experience of working with a lender from a bank, you’ll gain a financing partner with construction industry expertise who understands the needs of your business.

But how do you know if contractor material financing is right for you? Here’s a helpful checklist:

1.Are You Trying to Grow Your Construction Business?

Contractor material financing is an optimal way to kickstart growth by helping you take on more projects at once, as well as larger, more ambitious projects.

Do you currently feel comfortable bidding on a project twice the size of your typical bid? Do you have a relationship with a lender who will extend the necessary credit on a project that large? Even if your supplier will extend terms, you’re likely going to end up coming out of pocket to purchase materials when you need them. But when you work with a material financing partner, you can confidently bid on a variety of projects knowing the material costs will be covered, with the flexibility to repay on a timeline that works for you.

2. Are You Striving to Innovate and Improve Your Business?

Even if you’re comfortable with your ability to pay suppliers through cash flow, utilizing material financing will give you the financial clout and strength necessary to enhance your business-growth initiatives, generate more revenue and compete more successfully with larger construction firms in your market.

Enjoying flexible payment terms on materials frees up cash to hire skilled marketing and sales talent, increase your advertising spend, or add more field workers to your team necessary to take on more projects. You’ll be amazed at the opportunities to innovate and grow when you’re no longer held back by inconsistent cash flow.

3. Do You Want to Move from Residential to Commercial Jobs?

If you’re making the move from residential to commercial construction, material financing is one of the best ways to lower your risk and support your success. The stakes, the budgets and the expectations are all much higher on commercial projects, so you can’t afford to let inconsistent cash flow stand in the way of meeting your objectives.

Timelines are especially crucial on commercial projects, where one hiccup from a subcontractor can slow down the entire train. If you fail to pay your supplier for materials by the time new material is needed, they may refuse to sell you more, forcing you to find a new supplier altogether and potentially slowing down the project. Needless to say, this is not a circumstance where you want to rely on funds from one project to pay for materials on another.

By working with a material financing partner, you’ll be poised to pay your suppliers upfront, complete your commercial construction projects on-time, and continue to build a great reputation with the GC.

To read more about tips for moving from residential to commercial construction, check out this article by Billd.

4. Would you Like to Minimize Everyday Business Stress?

Entrepreneurship is stressful enough as it is, without the added burden of erratic construction payment cycles. When the success of your business and the wellbeing of your employees is your responsibility, the pressures of being stretched too thin financially and unable to keep your projects moving forward on time can keep you up at night.

A significant benefit of working with a project-based financing partner is the pure relief that comes with the ability to pay your supplier upfront, without having to worry about when you’ll receive payment from your last project. With the freedom and flexibility of material financing, your supplier gets paid and you can stay focused on growing your business.

5. If Contractor Material Financing is Right For You, So Is Billd

Don’t let the construction cash-flow gap prevent your business from moving forward and achieving its full potential. With contractor material financing, you can free yourself up to accept a greater amount of projects, take on more ambitious projects, innovate in all areas of your business — and lower your stress along the way.

At Billd, we’re experienced construction professionals who understand the struggles of your payment cycles. While many banks are unable (or unwilling) to provide short-term funding to contractors for construction projects, we’ll work with you to provide a flexible financing solution that will free you up to achieve your business goals. If you’re ready to try material financing or just want to learn more, contact us today.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Jon KatzJon Katz is the Vice President of Marketing at Billd, a simple payment and finance solution for the construction industry. Jon oversees all marketing at Billd, including paid user acquisition, demand generation, email and owned channels, website, marketing budgets, brand, content creation, and more. Jon lives in Austin, TX, where Billd is headquartered, and he brings an entrepreneurial spirit, self-starter mentality, and passion for life-long learning to his role.

Health and safety essentials every office needs

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Health and Safety|Health and safety essentials every office needsAs workers slowly begin to return to offices across the country, now is the opportune moment to ensure your office has all the health and safety essentials it needs to not only comply with the law, but also to help create a positive workspace for employees.

Fire safety equipment

It doesn’t matter what sector or industry your business is in; you need a fire extinguisher. In an office setting, a 2kg Co2 fire extinguisher and a 6-liter water fire extinguisher will cover multiple fire risks. They should be positioned close to the main fire hazards and readily available and visible.

Similarly, fire alarms and smoke detectors can quite literally save lives by providing an early warning of a potential fire. By installing a fire alarm or smoke detector, you are allowing more time for an orderly evacuation and the opportunity to tackle the fire before it gets bigger and more dangerous.

First Aid equipment

First Aid kits are vital for any office, allowing for quick treatment of minor injuries by a trained First Aider. It’s important employees know where to find the First Aid kit, and that stock is regularly maintained. From having enough bandages and band-aids, to essential protective equipment like disposable gloves and antiseptic wipes, regular stock takes of the First Aid kit can provide peace of mind to all employees – and reduce the risk of litigation should the worse happen.

Ergonomic equipment

There are more and more studies that demonstrate increased and chronic back pain in office workers as a result of hours spent sitting at poorly positioned desks and screens. If you consider the length of time your employees spend working and sitting at their desks, then it’s obviously essential that where and how they work doesn’t cause them any discomfort or pain.

Investing in ergonomic equipment like chairs and movable desks will not only improve employee morale, but you’ll see an increase in productivity too.

General maintenance

Slips, trips, and falls account for the majority of workplace incidents and can easily be avoided. Slips occur when there is a lack of friction between a person’s feet and the floor they are standing and walking on. They are typically caused by spillages, wet floors, and unsecured floor mats. Reduce the risk of slips by using signage, non-slip floors, and ensuring any mats or carpets are secure.

Similarly, trips and falls occur because of trailing wires, objects left lying around, and misplaced footing. Ensuring items are tidied away and walkways are clear will reduce the possibility of trips, while well lit areas and marked stairs will limit falls.