AEC Business Aarni Heiskanen

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, I welcomed Teemu Lehtinen, the CEO of KIRAHub, to discuss the latest innovation and technology within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. It was Teemu’s first time on the podcast since 2016, and we delved into the exciting developments at KIRAHub and the upcoming World of Digital Built Environment (WDBE) Summit.







KIRAHub accelerates sustainable digital transformation







KIRAHub, celebrating its fifth anniversary, operates as a non-profit association with a mission to accelerate sustainable digital transformation in the built environment sector.







Teemu highlighted the organization’s role as a neutral facilitator, working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including cities, municipalities, government, corporations, startups, and the research sector. He also addressed the funding model of KIRAHub, which includes seed funding from founders, project-based funding, and a new collaboration membership for companies.







Teemu Lehtinen and Aarni Heiskanen







WDBE for innovators and game changers







The WDBE Summit, now in its seventh year, was born from the desire to share knowledge and invite international collaboration to Finland. The event has evolved over the years, adapting to challenges such as COVID-19, and has become a beacon for industry leaders.







This year’s theme, “Reshaping Business Models for the Future,” is particularly provocative and timely, as it addresses the need for systemic change in business models alongside digital transformation.







Teemu shared insights into the unique dual-location format of the WDBE Summit, which will take place in Helsinki and Tallinn, offering attendees an intimate and engaging experience. The summit will feature keynotes from industry thought leaders, community sessions, and opportunities for networking and partnership building.







Submit your presentation!







We also discussed the call for presentations, which is open until April 15th, inviting community members to share their work on a broad range of topics related to the digital built environment. Additionally, Teemu emphasized the value of partnership opportunities at the WDBE Summit for companies looking to build networks, raise awareness, and launch new products.







As we wrapped up the conversation, we encouraged our audience to take advantage of early bird pricing for the WDBE Summit, which will take place on October 3rd and 4th. It promises to be an event filled with innovation, collaboration, and transformative ideas for the AEC industry.







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In this episode of the AEC Business podcast, Aarni Heiskanen spoke with Shreesha Ramdas, CEO and co-founder of Lumber. The company is innovating in the construction technology space, focusing on workforce management. Shreesha shared his journey from tech startups to the construction industry, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in a sector ripe for innovation.







Future-proofing with technology







Shreesha discussed the construction industry’s challenges, particularly the impending workforce crisis, with a significant portion of skilled workers nearing retirement. He emphasized the need for digital tools to enhance productivity and attract a new generation of workers.







For construction tech startups, Shreesha advised focusing on customer success and providing proactive services to facilitate the transition to new technologies. He also stressed the importance of making technology an enabler rather than an additional burden for construction firms.







Lumber’s mission







Lumber’s mission is to empower the often-neglected back office of construction firms and improve the daily lives of field workers through digital transformation. Their platform offers real-time payroll and time tracking, ensuring compliance with complex labor laws and regulations.







Shreesha highlighted the importance of integrating new technologies with existing systems and the need for a service mindset to ensure successful adoption by construction firms.







Looking ahead, Lumber aims to capture and distribute the knowledge of experienced workers to newer employees, enhancing safety and productivity on the job site. Shreesha’s vision for Lumber is to not only improve workforce management but also to contribute to a safer and more efficient construction industry.







Learn more







Listeners interested in learning more about Lumber and its offerings can visit its website at www.lumberfi.com or contact its sales team for more information and product demonstrations.







Remember to subscribe to the AEC Business podcast for more episodes on innovation and technology in the construction industry! You can also watch a video version and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube.







Listen to the interview and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, Aarni Heiskanen interviews René Morkos, the founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies. They discuss construction tech, AI, and ALICE Core, the company’s latest product launch.







How the construction technology landscape has changed







The construction tech industry has evolved significantly since 2015, as discussed with René.







In 2015, there was a lack of understanding and reluctance toward construction tech, with some investors even hesitant to invest in the sector. However, by 2017-2018, there was a noticeable shift as construction tech became a sought-after investment opportunity.







This change was attributed to the emergence of chief innovation officers, pilot programs, and innovation budgets within construction companies. They signaled a growing acceptance and integration of technology within the industry.







Increased funding and a new ecosystem







One key transformation in the construction tech landscape has been the increased funding availability for construction tech ideas. René mentioned that today, it is possible to raise money for construction tech concepts, indicating a shift in the funding environment to support technological advancements in the sector.







Another significant change is establishing an ecosystem that supports the identification, evaluation, and integration of technology in construction.







Companies now have AI strategies, innovation strategies, pilot programs, and dedicated CIOs, reflecting a more structured approach toward adopting and implementing technology in construction projects.







There’s space for more startups







The podcast also discussed the growing number of startups in the construction tech space. This indicates a surge in innovation and technological solutions tailored for the industry.







René emphasized the need for more startups in construction tech, suggesting that the industry is ripe for technological advancements and digitization.







What’s new in ALICE







ALICE Technologies offers an AI scheduling platform that revolutionizes the construction industry by optimizing projects, delivering substantial cost savings, and enhancing efficiency.







René highlighted how ALICE now allows for applying constraint models to schedules. This enables users to ask the software questions and receive real-time answers on the best ways to mitigate delays, resequence work, adjust resources, and more. This level of dynamic decision-making within the scheduling system is a game-changer for construction projects.







The implementation process for ALICE has been significantly streamlined with the introduction of ALICE Core. Previously, setting up the system could take weeks, but now, clients can be up and running within hours. This ease of implementation and user-friendly interface makes it accessible to a wider range of construction projects, from infrastructure to industrial, with a sweet spot of projects valued at 10 million and above.







Success stories







Success stories shared in the episode, such as working with companies on projects like the HS2 high-speed rail in the UK and oil and gas facilities, demonstrate the tangible benefits of using ALICE.







The platform has delivered millions of dollars in cost savings, optimized resource management, and streamlined project timelines. These success stories underscore the value that ALICE Technologies brings to the construction industry.







Looking ahead, Alice Technologies is focused on further enhan...

In this episode of the AEC Business podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Ehrlich, a veteran of the construction industry from the USA and the author of “The Way We Build: Restoring Dignity to Construction Work.” Our conversation delved into the evolving landscape of construction work and the challenges faced by construction workers today.







Mark shared his extensive background, starting as a carpenter and rising through the ranks to become the head of a 25,000-member union organization. His experience spans decades, and he has authored three books and numerous articles on labor issues.







The historical labor shifts







We discussed the historical shift from a predominantly unionized construction workforce to the current bifurcated system in the US, where union strongholds in the north contrast sharply with the non-union, lower-wage environments in the south and other regions. Mark highlighted the issues of wage theft, declining safety standards, and the exploitation of undocumented workers.







The conversation also touched on the universal trends in construction, such as the globalization of the labor force and the challenges of maintaining high standards and benefits for workers in different countries.







Mark emphasized the need to address the misclassification of workers and the underground cash economy that undermines labor standards. He also spoke about the technological advancements in construction, including the rise of off-site prefabrication and digital tools like BIM, which are changing the nature of construction work.







Looking into the future







Despite the challenges, Mark remains optimistic about the industry’s potential to provide fulfilling careers. He advocates for bringing the workforce out of the shadows, regulating the industry to ensure fair treatment, and encouraging unions to adapt to the 21st century.







Listeners interested in learning more about Mark’s insights can find his book through the University of Illinois Press or Amazon. Mark also welcomes further discussion and can be reached via his email at Harvard Law School: merlich@law.harvard.edu.



















About Mark Erlich







Mark Erlich has been a Wertheim Fellow at the Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy since retiring as Executive Secretary-Treasurer (EST) of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. A member of Carpenters Local 40 since 1975, he worked at his craft as an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and superintendent before winning election as Business Manager of his local in 1992.















Erlich has written and lectured extensively on labor issues. He is the author of two books, With Our Hands: The Story of Carpenters in Massachusetts (1986) and Labor at the Ballot Box (1990), both published by Temple University Press.















A new book, The Way We Build: Restoring Dignity to Construction Work, was published in 2023 by the University of Illinois Press. He has also written dozens of essays, articles, and op-eds on labor history and contemporary union issues in academic publications such as Industrial Labor Relations Review, Harvard Business Review, and Labor History, as well as popular journals and newspapers ranging from the Boston Globe to The Nation.



















For more details on this enlightening conversation with Mark Ehrlich, tune in to the full episode and explore the future of construct...

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, host Aarni Heiskanen interviews Manja Horner, founder and CEO of Boost LD, about learning in the construction sector. Manja shares insights about her digitized training service and discusses her 12-year journey in the learning business.







Manja is a learning experience strategist and trusted advisor to companies who want to transform their business with training and team procedures and processes in a seamless, digital and easy-to-implement system.







She helps clients in the skilled trades + construction create inspiring, enriching, and all-encompassing learning experiences for better employee and team adoption, integration, and education.







Why you need a well-designed onboarding process







The episode delves into the significance of robust onboarding and career pathways in attracting and retaining top performers. Manja emphasizes that these elements provide a competitive advantage for companies.







Manja highlights that a well-designed onboarding process begins even before the new employee arrives at the job site or office and continues for a few months into the job. This process entails providing clear expectations, policies, and access to necessary resources, ideally through mobile devices.







A comprehensive onboarding plan can serve as a recruiting tool, showcasing to potential hires that the company values their growth and development. Manja also underscores the importance of career pathways, which offer intentional opportunities for employees to advance within the organization. By offering training and promotion prospects, companies can demonstrate that there is room for growth and long-term commitment. This approach is particularly appealing to young individuals seeking companies that provide a clear path to advancement.







Intentional skill development speeds up time to productivity







Manja underscores the importance of intentional skill development and highlights that it doesn’t have to rely solely on trial and error. She mentions that while it is possible to bring someone along and hope they learn through observation, experimentation, and failure, a more effective approach is to be intentional with skill development. Creating training or learning programs designed with intention can significantly reduce the trial and error period.







Drawing from their background as a music teacher, Manja emphasizes the importance of practice and hands-on experience in skill development.







Simply instructing someone on how to do a job is insufficient for them to become proficient at it. Instead, Manja stresses the need to demonstrate and guide individuals in practicing the skills they need to develop. This approach is likened to learning a musical instrument, where watching a video on how to play is inadequate to become a skilled musician. Instead, one must pick up the instrument and engage in extensive practice.







Connect with Manja







Listeners can connect with Manja Horner through various channels. They can visit the BoostLD.com website to find more information about the company and its services.







Manja is also active on social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn, where listeners can connect with her and stay updated on her work. Additionally, listeners have the option to email Manja directly at manjahorner@boostld.com.

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, Aarni Heiskanen interviews Gonzalo Galindo, President at Cemex Ventures. They discuss startup funding, construction technology, and this year’s construction startup competition.







Cemex Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Cemex, a global building materials company, actively supports innovative startups in the construction industry. Through their investment and collaboration, Cemex Ventures aims to drive sustainable innovation and address the challenges the construction industry faces.







Supporting Innovative Startups







One area of focus for Cemex Ventures is carbon capture and usage technologies. They have helped companies in this field increase the maturity level of their technologies, from early-stage lab development to pilot programs in industrial environments such as cement plants. 







This support is crucial, as the transition from lab to industrial settings is often where technologies fail. By preventing these failures and enabling companies to become serious players in carbon capture and usage, Cemex Ventures is contributing to reducing carbon emissions and the fight against climate change.







In addition to carbon capture, Cemex Ventures also supports startups in other areas, such as supply chain optimization. For example, they have worked with a last-mile delivery company called PartRunner, helping them expand their operations in Mexico and establish partnerships with major digital retailers like Amazon and MercadoLibre. This collaboration benefits the startup and improves the efficiency and sustainability of the construction supply chain.







Great Track Record







While the failure rate for startups is notoriously high, Cemex Ventures has seen a relatively high success rate. They estimate that 80-90% of their investments are still thriving. This success can be attributed to their strategic approach and a clear path for supporting and scaling technologies. 







By carefully selecting startups and aligning their investments with Cemex’s strategic objectives, they increase the chances of success and long-term viability.







Looking To the Future







Looking to the future, Cemex Ventures recognizes the need to innovate and evolve continuously. They understand that an innovation program must constantly reinvent itself to remain relevant. Regular discussions and evaluations are held to ensure they are at the forefront of emerging opportunities and connected to the right strategic issues. 







As Cemex works towards decarbonization and other sustainability goals, Cemex Ventures will continue seeking technologies to help achieve these objectives.







Cemex Ventures also aims to maintain its position as a leader in the construction innovation world. They actively seek partnerships and relationships within the ecosystem, connecting with other corporate venture capital arms, venture capitalists, and startups. By staying connected and being a thought leader in the industry, Cemex Ventures can access transformative technologies that will shape the future of construction.







The Construction Startup Competition







Cemex Ventures promotes innovation and collaboration through its construction startup competition. This annual competition attracts hundreds of entries from startups in the construction technology space. 







The competition provides a platform for startups to showcase their innovations and potentially secure investment and collaboration opportunities with Cemex Ventures. The competition is continuously refined and improved to make it more appealing to ...