Customer Testimonial – Construction Publications Inc

KC Construction Company’s technology-driven approach delivers precision and value for restaurant projects

Alissa B — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 18:57:21 +0000

Customer success story

Building on efficiency

KC Construction Company’s technology-driven approach delivers precision and value for restaurant projects

Kirby Cordell, owner of KC Construction Company, has built a commercial contracting business specializing in restaurant sitework projects. KC Construction provides nearly turnkey site preparation services and remains highly efficient by keeping most work in-house with a streamlined six-person team.

Increased productivity with IMC

One of KC Construction’s key competitive advantages is its fleet of technology-driven machines. The team uses a range of Komatsu Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) dozers and excavators, which have been transformative for KC Construction’s productivity. The equipment helps the company complete jobs faster, with less staffing and high accuracy.

Customer snapshot

Company: KC Construction Company
Employees: 6
Area of expertise: Sitework for restaurants
Komatsu equipment: D39PXi, D51PXi and D61PXi IMC dozers; PC210LCi and PC360LCi IMC excavators
Komatsu technology: Intelligent Machine Control (IMC)

“We started with a Komatsu D39PXi dozer and saw how efficient it was, so we invested in a D51PXi dozer and a PC210LCi excavator, and then a D61PXi dozer and a PC360LCi excavator as our projects grew,” Cordell noted. “With GPS on our machines, one operator can handle grading that used to take several people. It saves us about 50% to 75% in time and labor. The precision these machines bring to our work also helps us save on materials — you’re not wasting anything — and allows us to deliver exceptional quality.”

The need for manual surveying and grading adjustments is also reduced with Komatsu
IMC equipment.

By the numbers

50% to 75% time and labor saved due to Komatsu IMC equipment
140+ loads per day with a Komatsu PC360LCi IMC excavator
55,000 yards of dirt recently moved on a project with a Komatsu PC360LCi IMC excavator
2,400-square-foot projects are ideal for a Komatsu D39PXi IMC dozer

“The digital screen inside the machine shows exactly where we’re at, so we don’t have to stop and check with surveyors,” Cordell explained. “It lets us know our position, where the entrances are, where the islands are, and even the storm and sewer lines, so we stay on track without stepping out of the cab.”

Recently, KC Construction has been working on a complex site for a new chain restaurant location. The team’s Komatsu PC360LCi and PC210LCi IMC excavators have been instrumental in handling extensive earthmoving and precise grading.

“On our last project, we moved about 55,000 yards of dirt, and the 360 was excellent — with a 5-foot bucket, you couldn’t beat it,” Cordell said. “We load out over 140 loads a day, and it hits the subgrade perfectly.”

Cordell continued, “We like that the PC210LCi is easy to haul and easy to move. It’s small enough to get in the tight spaces, yet it’s big enough to peel out whatever you need to.”

KC Construction turns to its Komatsu D51PXi and D39PXi IMC dozers for smaller projects.
These machines are compact enough to handle tight grading projects with ease.

“The D39PXi dozers are excellent for our little 2,400-square-foot projects or sites that are
three-quarters of an acre,” Cordell commented.

*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.

To learn more about Komatsu construction equipment, visit https://www.komatsu.com/en/industries/construction/.

Komatsu and SRC of Lexington Inc. work together to provide high-quality remanufactured parts

Alissa B — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:16:34 +0000

Reman facility

Extend equipment life at a reduced cost

Komatsu and SRC of Lexington Inc. work together to provide high-quality remanufactured parts

SRC of Lexington Inc. works closely with Komatsu and its dealership network to provide high-quality remanufactured parts that help extend equipment life. The approximately 100,000-square-foot facility in Lexington, Ky., specializes in remanufacturing heavy equipment components for the mining and construction sectors.

Adam Trebolo, Director of Sales and Marketing at SRC of Lexington, detailed the comprehensive processes and technologies that define the facility’s operations.

“Typically, we remanufacture components like engines, transmissions, hydraulic pumps and motors,” Trebolo explained. “We take old, worn-out parts and completely disassemble them. Parts that can be reused are machined back to the original specifications, and new original equipment manufacturer parts are used for those that can’t be salvaged.”

There are many benefits of remanufacturing, including cost savings and promoted sustainability.

“Remanufacturing reduces the total cost of ownership significantly,” Trebolo emphasized. “Replacing an old engine with a remanufactured one is much cheaper than buying a new machine, and it ensures the equipment is ready for another long service life. Remanufacturing also uses significantly less energy than producing new components. We reuse most of the iron, and we recycle what we can’t use, so it’s a more environmentally friendly option.”

The facility’s operations are meticulously organized to ensure quality and efficiency.

“When we receive a core, it’s first inspected and identified,” said Trebolo. “The disassembly process is kept separate from the assembly to maintain cleanliness, and every part undergoes thorough inspection and machining to meet original equipment specifications.”

A cornerstone of SRC of Lexington’s success is its pivotal relationship with Komatsu, which has existed since the facility’s inception.

“This factory used to be a Komatsu plant until the financial crisis in 2009,” Trebolo recounted. “We persuaded SRC to buy the operation, and since then, we’ve been a separate company but still closely aligned with Komatsu. They are our largest customer, but since then, we’ve taken on business from other OEMs, as well as some work directly with mines on other products.”

Investing in technology

SRC of Lexington’s cutting-edge technology contributes significantly to the plant’s capabilities.

“We use advanced techniques like metal buildup for worn surfaces and high-end machining to ensure parts are restored to their original dimensions,” elaborated Trebolo. “Our coordinate measuring machine and 3D printers aid in precision and efficiency.”

Trebolo added, “One thing that really makes us unique is we have our own electronic work instruction system software, Task Forge, which ensures every step in the remanufacturing process is followed meticulously. We’ve developed detailed photo instructions that guide technicians step by step. With over 100,000 steps in our system, we can ensure consistency and quality across all processes.”

The facility’s focus on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement is evident in its collaboration with the University of Kentucky and Toyota.

“We work on eliminating waste and improving efficiency,” stated Trebolo. “For example, we’ve synchronized the assembly process for similar hydraulic pumps, reducing labor and increasing competitiveness in the market.”

Safety, dedicated employees

At SRC of Lexington, safety is paramount.

“We’re really proud of our safety record here,” Trebolo declared. “We’ve gone over 1,600 days without a lost-time accident, and we prioritize safety to ensure everyone goes home the same way they came in.”

Employee ownership is another unique aspect that drives commitment and quality.

“As an employee-owned company, everyone here has a stake in our success,” said Trebolo. “This ownership mentality ensures that our employees are dedicated to producing the highest-quality products.”

With a focus on quality, efficiency and sustainability, SRC of Lexington continues to be a leader in remanufacturing capabilities. Its partnership with Komatsu and investment in advanced technology ensure that it remains at the forefront, delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions to its customers.

To learn more about remanufactured parts visit https://www.komatsu.com/en/parts-and-attachments/remanufactured-components/.

Smart Construction Remote helps Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho save time and reduce expenses when updating plans

Alissa B — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:10:11 +0000

Update from the office

Remote resolutions

Smart Construction Remote helps Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho save time and reduce expenses when updating plans

Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho recently finished one of several complex ski-related projects the company has done during its nearly 30 years in business. The approximately six-month job included developing an 1,800-foot-long ski run that sloped from 28 to 35 degrees, lift enhancements, and new snowmaking areas.

To complete the project, Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho used Komatsu Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) equipment with factory-integrated GPS machine control. General Manager Cody Allison created the project’s design files that were uploaded to the machines, base stations and rovers.

Allison said projects like the ski resort are why Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho added Komatsu’s Smart Construction Remote, which allows users to send design file updates directly to targeted machines remotely from the company’s offices. Files can also be sent from a smartphone. Smart Construction Remote allows users to remotely assist operators as well.

“It would have taken several hours to drive to the resort and back to do an update,” said Allison. “With Remote, it can be done in a matter of minutes, so we are saving time and the costs that go along with driving to the job site. The update is done automatically, so the operator doesn’t have to stop. Another great feature is that if there is an issue or the operator has a question, we can remotely access the screen in the machine, see exactly what they do in real time, and quickly resolve whatever it is without them having to wait for someone to come out to the site.”

Well worth it

Allison estimated that Burks Excavation Corporation of Idaho uses Smart Construction Remote two to three times per week to send files and collaborate with operators.

“If you add up the time and expenses we save by using Remote, it’s significant,” said Allison. “It’s relatively inexpensive. Basically, if you use it one time, it pays for itself. It’s well worth the investment.”

The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.

To learn more about Smart Construction Remote, visit https://www.komatsu.com/en/technology/smart-construction/remote/.

JLR Contractors Inc. utilizes My Komatsu to see critical machine data faster for improved fleet management and reduced downtime

Alissa B — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:08:57 +0000

Telematics talk

Monitor information anytime, anywhere

JLR Contractors Inc. utilizes My Komatsu to see critical machine data faster for improved fleet management and reduced downtime

Brothers Scott and Tyler Roberts grew up talking about the day they would be the fourth generation of the Roberts family to lead the business that was started by their great-grandfather, which is now known as JLR Contractors Inc. When the brothers took over about 20 years ago, they decided to expand the company’s earthwork services.

“It has been a huge benefit, because self-performing that work allows us to better control our schedules and budgets,” stated Chief Operating Officer Tyler Roberts.

JLR Contractors now performs full-site preparation on its own building projects and has expanded into large scale earthmoving-only projects both as a general contractor and a subcontractor to others. The company self-performs everything from land clearing to finish grading, including utility installation of sewer, water and storm piping as well as pump and lift stations.

Earthwork expansion necessitated the demand for heavy equipment. The Roberts contacted their local Komatsu distributor, which helped them add standard excavators, dozers, loaders and trucks to their operation and has since assisted with the acquisition of Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) excavators and dozers. The Komatsu distributor also set up a My Komatsu account for JLR Contractors, so Equipment Manager Blake Carter could more easily manage the company’s growing fleet.

Within My Komatsu, Carter navigates to the My Fleet page where he can see all 15 machines JLR Contractors has registered. By clicking on a machine, he can see where it is located and monitor its utilization, fuel usage, health and production information.

“All the data is there, and it’s made it much easier and quicker for me to track compared to how I was doing it before, which was with a spreadsheet that I would text to our field personnel and going to the job site as much as I could,” commented Carter. “With My Komatsu, I can track our Komatsu equipment from my laptop or with the mobile app and get up-to-date information practically anytime and anywhere. I have all the critical data for a machine at the click of a button. It’s simpler and immediate.”

Quicker adjustments, better planning

Getting data faster is helpful when making adjustments to machine utilization and identifying and dealing with potential issues, according to Carter, who said additional tools such as the My Health feature helps with service planning.

“I can get on the phone with our fleet coordinator and together we can better schedule for service or more immediately resolve an abnormality or code,” said Carter. “If I see high fuel usage or idle time, we can quickly figure out why that may be and make a plan on how to address that with our operators. I’ve also been trying to utilize the My Health page more because it gives very good information to use as a countdown to how close a machine is to a service interval. That helps us proactively plan to take it out of service and reduce downtime.”

*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.

To learn more about My Komatsu visit https://mykomatsu.komatsu/.

Russell Lands Inc. sees time, cost savings with the adoption of IMC dozers on its new housing development

Alissa B — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:37:52 +0000

Customer Success Story

Russell Lands Inc. sees time, cost savings with the adoption of IMC dozers on its new housing development

Russell Lands Inc. is redeveloping a portion of its lakefront property into a luxury residential community that includes restaurants and a golf course. As part of the development process, a 15-person crew recently began work on phase three of The Heritage community.

Staying on or ahead of schedule is crucial, and one of the driving forces behind Russell Lands’ accelerated progress has been the adoption of cutting-edge equipment such as Komatsu’s D61PXi-24 and D51PXi-24 Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) dozers.

Operator/Manager Scott Peterson stated, “They’ve transformed our operations. You’ve got what you need at your fingertips inside the cab, eliminating guesswork and showing you precisely what needs to be done.”

Efficient operation

As the crew embarked on the third phase of The Heritage, the dozers have proven instrumental in reducing project timelines.

“The D61i is the only tractor I’ve ever been on that doesn’t need advertising,” said operator Erick Taunton. “It will convince you of its worth. See how it can save you time and help you not waste material.”

Taunton added, “It’s balanced, efficient and unbelievably quick. I’ve been using a competitive brand all my life, but Komatsu’s IMC machines have changed my allegiance.”

*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.

Fontaine Construction Inc. completes projects efficiently with IMC 2.0 technology

Alissa B — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:50:02 +0000

Customer Success Story

Fontaine Construction Inc. completes projects efficiently with IMC 2.0 technology

Fontaine Construction Inc. undertakes a diverse range of sitework projects, including neighborhood developments and commercial jobs. It prides itself on a commitment to quality work and strong relationships with clients, which help the company deliver on its goal of providing exceptional results.

While renovating a parking lot at a major university’s football stadium — which involved installing a storm drain and sewer as well as planter beds, trees and plants — Fontaine Construction relied heavily on its Komatsu Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) dozers and excavators. Will Williams, a foreman and an operator for the firm, said the IMC technology makes it easier for operators to achieve precise results.

“The IMC technology helps us take the guesswork out and enables us to be more accurate and efficient in our work, which ultimately benefits our clients,” commented Williams.

IMC 2.0

Fontaine Construction’s Komatsu D51PXi-24 IMC 2.0 dozers were particularly beneficial on the university project and made a noticeable difference in the company’s efficiency and quality of work.

“We’re mostly using the dozers for fine grading the parking lot and the slopes,” explained Williams during construction. “With IMC 2.0, we can blade the slope well each time. It’s comfortable in the cab, and it’s got great visibility, so we are able to see both corners of the blade. The D51PXi-24 is probably the best dozing machine I’ve been on.”

Fontaine Construction also uses Komatsu PC360LCi-11 and PC210LCi-11 IMC excavators for various tasks, such as digging retaining walls and laying storm and sewer lines.

“The IMC excavators are a huge benefit,” said Williams. “We cut a corner of the parking lot with an IMC excavator, slicked it up with the IMC 2.0 dozer, and it was right on grade. We didn’t have to set up a pipe laser.”

The IMC technology has been particularly helpful for laying sewer lines because it has helped Fontaine Construction’s operators dig trenches accurately and efficiently.

“The IMC helps us speed up the process,” noted Jeb Kelley, a foreman and an operator. “Fontaine Construction runs all Komatsu equipment, and we get a lot of work done with a lot less equipment and fewer people.”

*The opinions expressed here are from the end user as quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Individual results may vary.

Takco Construction Inc. improves productivity by incorporating Komatsu HB365LC hybrid excavator into fleet

Alissa B — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:47:20 +0000

Going Green

Takco Construction Inc. improves productivity by incorporating Komatsu HB365LC hybrid excavator into fleet

Takco Construction Inc. was founded in 2010 by Byeong “Ben” Im, who named the vertical construction company after his father, Tak, with “co” standing for construction. Headquartered in LaGrange, Ga., Takco pivoted its focus in 2016 when the firm expanded into two divisions: construction and civil. Vice President Steve Lowery noted that the company has grown tremendously over the last few years.

“We’ve transitioned from renting 100% of our equipment to owning 25-plus pieces of machinery in a short amount of time,” Lowery shared. “With that, we’re taking on larger projects and expanding the territory we service.”

Takco’s operations have expanded nationally across 18 states, with its primary territory covering Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The company employs approximately 75 people, and its workload typically consists of mass grading, storm drain, underground utilities, asphalt, and concrete projects.

HB365LC helps double production

Recently, Takco completed work at the Hyundai seating factory in Hope Hull, Ala. The project involved underground utilities, storm structures, mass grading, lime stabilization, cut and fill excavation, topsoil replacement, pond digging, and base prepping for asphalt. Takco needed an additional machine to meet the project’s deadline, so the company rented a Komatsu HB365LC-3 hybrid excavator.

According to Boswell, the HB365LC was used for various site and underground infrastructure tasks on the Hyundai job site. The electric swing motor, a unique feature of the HB365LC, significantly increased productivity by speeding up the truck-loading process for Takco’s operators.

“We found the HB365LC to be a great, all-around machine,” stated Boswell. “It’s very versatile and could handle tasks like loading off-road dump trucks, grading, digging ponds, laying storm sewer, and utility work without struggling. When loading trucks, the hybrid electric swing motor typically doubled our production.”

The term “hybrid” refers to the combination of a traditional diesel engine with advanced electric technology. In the HB365LC excavator, the electric swing motor captures and regenerates energy during swing braking, which is then used to power the swing motor. This innovative process leads to lower total emissions compared to other excavators in its class.

“We noticed a significant drop in our fuel and DEF consumption shortly after adding the HB365LC,” reported Boswell. “With higher fuel prices these days, the excavator saves the company a significant amount of money and lowers our overhead.”

Boswell particularly appreciated the HB365LC’s responsiveness.

“With a typical excavator, you’ll have a delay until you actually start swinging, especially with a heaping load,” said Boswell. “With the HB365LC, you don’t have that delay. As soon as you hit the joystick, you’re swinging with a good amount of speed. You can strike, turn, strike, turn, and stay dialed in.”

Takco operators have had positive experiences with the HB365LC due to its reliable performance.

Boswell stated, “Our operators have enjoyed it. They like the reactiveness of the machine, and it’s been running hard without any issues and keeping up with what we put it through.”

Advancing into the future

As Takco looks ahead, it is prepared to continue its growth and success in the industry. By embracing innovative equipment like the Komatsu HB365LC hybrid excavator, the company is setting a precedent for efficiency and productivity in its projects.

“We want to continue growing and taking on larger, more challenging projects at a variety of new locations across the United States,” said Lowery.

Boswell encourages potential customers to consider the HB365LC for their own operations, given Takco’s positive experience with the machine.

“If it’s possible, ask your sales representative to let you demo one or rent one to see for yourself how much it can reduce your fuel consumption and impact your productivity,” Boswell suggested. “From our standpoint, it’s been a great machine.”

****The opinions expressed here are from the end users who are quoted. The results described herein are those of these end users under certain conditions. Your results may vary.

Click here for more information on Komatsu’s HB365LC hybrid excavator.

Turnkey sitework contractor Harco Construction takes on larger jobs, finds big savings with iMC technology

Alissa B — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:40:14 +0000

Customer Success Story

Turnkey sitework contractor Harco Construction takes on larger jobs, finds big savings with iMC technology

Since its inception in the backyard of Jeffrey Hardin’s family home, J.L. Hardin Inc. — widely known as Harco Construction — has expanded and evolved into the turnkey mass excavation and sitework company it is today.

With a personal interest in technological developments, Hardin decided to make investments in his fleet by adding GPS-equipped machines. After meeting with his local Komatsu distributor representative, Hardin quickly saw the value of purchasing intelligent Machine Control (iMC) equipment.

“We were one of the smallest GPS companies around, and we fell in love with the iMC technology,” said Hardin. “After we targeted GPS technology, I feel we got ahead of the game compared to other companies of our size, which allowed us to take on larger projects.”

Harco Construction has acquired about 25 Komatsu machines, including a D71PXi-24 iMC dozer.

“When Komatsu came out with the iMC dozers, it blew us away,” stated Hardin. “You upload the file to the machine, and the operator can go to work. There are no wires, poles or masts [to put up and take down], which saves us time and money. None of our operators want to run our dozer with an aftermarket system. They just want to run Komatsu machines.”

“Infatuated” with iMC excavators

Strict grade and compaction requirements on jobs mean precision is key. To increase its efficiency when excavating retention ponds and moving large quantities of material, Harco Construction added two Komatsu PC360LCi-11 iMC excavators to its fleet. The machines earned praise on a 400,000-yard cut and shift project where Hardin said he became “infatuated” with the excavators.

“The iMC technology kept our operators from over-digging or undercutting the slope,” remarked Hardin. “We were able to let our dozers work on other parts of the job site instead of double-checking the excavator’s slope. That’s a big time-saver.”

**The opinions expressed here are from the end users who are quoted.

Click here for more information on Komatsu iMC technology.

Smart Construction solutions, iMC help Castle’s Renewable Energy Division move earth faster with decreased costs

Alissa B — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:12:44 +0000

Smart Construction solutions, iMC help Castle’s Renewable Energy Division move earth faster with decreased costs

The company known today simply as Castle was originally founded as Progressive Pipeline in 1999 by Mike Castle Sr. His business focused on providing service to the oil and gas industry with jobs done with integrity, on time and on budget. That strategy proved highly successful, and within three years, the company landed its first multimillion-dollar contract, which led to the creation of more divisions within the firm.

In addition to Pipeline, Castle’s divisions now include an Integrity Group, a Facility Group, Directional Drilling, Environmental Reclamation, and its latest undertaking: Renewable Energy, which focuses on sitework and other services for wind and solar projects.

“Castle saw the transition to renewables and wanted to be a part of that,” said Vice President Chris Scheve, who joined the company about a year ago and has helped spearhead the formation and expansion of the Renewable Energy Division. “With our skilled workforce and our equipment, it’s a nice fit to move over and do the renewables effort.”

Joel Brewton, Vice President of Asset Management & Centralized Services, added, “Outstanding service is our hallmark, and that’s really built around doing things safely and efficiently. We believe that goes hand in hand with delivering solid production. We are always seeking ways to improve our practices. Technology — such as the Komatsu Smart Construction machinery and solutions we now use — is playing an increasingly bigger role for us because we see the benefits it is delivering in terms of cost and time savings.”

Brewton and Scheve emphasized that the two large solar projects that Castle’s Renewable Energy Division recently took on in Wisconsin are prime examples. About a year ago, Castle began site preparation, including putting the sites to grade, building basins, and handling erosion control. Between the two, Castle team members moved about 700,000 yards of dirt.

“Our Onion River project, which is the bigger of the two, involved about 18 different sites, so it was pretty spread out,” explained Superintendent Rocky Hartwick. “We started in July and had the mass grading done by the end of the year. Our Crawfish River project began earlier, and the grading was basically done within a relatively short timeframe.”

Hartwick continued, “These projects were our first ones using Komatsu’s intelligent machines, and we were very impressed with the ability to use the integrated GPS from grass to grade. Using traditional methods, we cut approximately two acres to grade each day. Komatsu’s intelligent machines allowed us to do 10 to 12 acres without the need for a grade checker because the machines always know where they are in relation to final grade. The accuracy and efficiency are spot on.”

Using Smart Construction solutions

Throughout the projects, Castle has used Komatsu intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozers and excavators, as well as Smart Construction Drone, Smart Construction Dashboard and Smart Construction Remote. Castle also purchased its own drone, and staff members received training from Komatsu, so they could conduct flights independently.

“Komatsu corporate has been a big part of helping us learn the intelligent system as well as incorporating drone flights to verify that what the machines are seeing is exactly what we’re seeing,” Scheve explained. “We’ve made drone flights a standard, so before we ever move a speck of dirt, we do an initial flight of the sites to make sure we have accurate models to work from. CAD (computer-aided design) files are developed from those, and those models are uploaded to the intelligent machines. We do subsequent flights about a month apart to check progress and verify how much dirt was moved, and that gets uploaded to Dashboard. That information helps us put together as-built models we can show to the customer and keep accurate records.”

Brewton said that level of accuracy has been impressive to Castle and its customers.

“We are a very schedule-driven contractor,” Brewton stated. “When we make a schedule, we want to stay on it. Drone flights let you verify a site within a matter of hours rather than days with the old methods of walking the site and staking it. Instead of taking maybe 20 shots with a rover and a stick within a 10-foot section, the drone is shooting thousands of points in that same area, so it’s delivering a more accurate picture. Billing is another advantage we see. We don’t want to overcharge our customer or be underpaid. With the drone, you can verify exact quantities, and you get paid for exactly the work you’ve done, and that’s what we want.”

Additional adoption

Increased productivity and efficiency with Komatsu iMC machines and Smart Construction solutions on the Renewable Energy Division’s Wisconsin projects have encouraged the Castle team to expand their usage of technology.

“Recent legislation is only going to put additional significant dollars into renewables, and we have customers asking us for commitments for several years out; making the investment makes sense,” said Scheve. “We see the applications for the machines and solutions in our other divisions too, such as Pipeline, so we are looking into how to adopt it for those going forward.”

**The opinions expressed here are from the end users who are quoted.

Click here to learn more about Komatsu Smart Construction Solutions.

Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. reduces costs by utilizing Smart Construction Remote

Alissa B — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:24:23 +0000

Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. reduces costs by utilizing Smart Construction Remote to transfer files from the office to the field

Valuing hard work, investing in its employees, adapting to the markets, and taking chances on new opportunities has made Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. (ESS) successful. For the past 50 years, that formula has propelled the Columbia-based firm into one of Missouri’s largest full-service civil contractors with about 1,800 employees.

“Our capabilities include everything from full site development to bridge installation to every aspect of paving,” said Tyler Grotewiel, Surveying and Construction Technology Manager. “We have over 200 projects in the works at any one time. In addition to core values, ESS has always been very forward-looking when it comes to adopting technology that increases efficiency on every site.”

One of the company’s earliest technology adoptions was adding aftermarket GPS grade control systems into its earthmoving operations, which improved its productivity. More recently, ESS began utilizing Komatsu’s intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozers.

“When I started here 17 years ago, we had a few machines with GPS, and now we have more than 100,” said Grotewiel, noting that ESS has also adopted GPS in its paving operations. “Knowing where you are in relation to final elevation and only having to move dirt once really increased our efficiency. It also cut costs because there is no rework, less wasted material, and no need for a grade checker. Every site we do now has a GPS model, whether it’s a small parking lot or a large highway job.”

“Solution we needed”

Grotewiel manages a group of about 30 people at ESS who focus on construction layout and prepare data files for machine control. About one-third of them are building 3D GPS models from the data as well as from CAD (computer-aided design) drawings from engineers and transportation departments.

“Our staff is outstanding at building accurate models that can be uploaded directly into the machines, but as anyone in the construction industry knows, plan changes are inevitable,” said Grotewiel. “In the past, that meant we had to physically drive to a project with a thumb drive to update files. Our projects are spread out across a large territory that covers multiple states, so it’s time-consuming and a major expense in fuel to do that.”

“We were looking for a way to reduce or eliminate the hassle, and our research determined that Komatsu’s Smart Construction Remote was the solution we needed. The fact that it’s compatible with both Topcon and Trimble systems is a huge benefit. We have used it with both our Komatsu and competitive machines.”

Grotewiel added, “We compared it to other solutions in the market and found Smart Construction Remote to be more user-friendly, too. The process is simple. All you have to do is log into the website, find the machine or machines that you want to send the file to, and drag and drop the file to them. It’s nearly instantaneous, and the operator doesn’t have to do anything. We have four offices, and I estimate that we use Smart Construction Remote about 15 times per week at each one. I don’t have to pay someone to drive the file to the job site, and the operators get the information faster.”

See what the operator does

If an operator has a question or an issue, Grotewiel and his team can assist them from the office because Smart Construction Remote allows direct remote access to a machine.

“Instead of having to drive to the site, we can see what the operator sees on the screen in the machine,” said Grotewiel. “If necessary, I can actually take control remotely to directly address the issue.”

Operator Gage Snider says Smart Construction Remote has also notably increased the company’s production.

“If there is an update, it’s just done,” stated Snider. “You don’t have to wait on somebody to show up. It comes to the machine and is done automatically, so I keep moving dirt without having to worry about the plan being outdated. Because it’s done remotely, most of the time I don’t even know it’s been done.”

Initial setup, ongoing support

ESS worked with its local Komatsu distributor to access Smart Construction Remote. Distributor representatives helped ESS with the setup, including the installation of cellular modems that are used for communication to load and update plans.

“They remain an invaluable resource because they guided us through the initial setup, helped us through the learning curve, and provide ongoing support,” said Grotewiel. “As we were adding Smart Construction Remote, our modems had to be upgraded to 4G, which was a big undertaking, and they were there every step of the way. They have ensured our successful use of Smart Construction Remote. Because of that — and the savings we are seeing — our plans include working with them to add it to more machines. We highly recommend Smart Construction Remote.”

**The opinions expressed here are from the end users who are quoted.

Click here to learn more about Smart Construction Remote.