Raising the roof (performance)

The commercial roofing industry is projected to grow from $11.9 billion in 2023 to $18.13 billion by 2030. What's driving it? Increased demand for energy-efficient, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable roofing solutions. We explore this and more in today's edition. Plus: This thief stole 18,000 construction tools. Find out how he was caught.

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Here's a peek at what's in today's issue:

// Raising roof expectations
// Data center development propels interest in nuclear power
// How to support the family caregivers in your workforce
// Why are rent-to-own properties so popular?
// Time-management tips for construction leaders

>> Who we're following:  Jeff Shelton (@jeffsheltonarchitect) on Instagram. This innovative Santa Barbara, Calif., architect posts inspiring photos of his projects and inspiration sure to get your own creative juices flowing.

>> What we're re-reading:  The Blue Collar CEO:  My Gutsy Journey from Rookie Contractor to Multi-Millionaire Construction Boss (Collins, 2022). This uncensored story shares how author Mandy Rennehan rose to the top of the male-dominated construction industry before the age of 30. 

>> What's happening soon: The early-bird deadline for the Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association’s 2025 Construction Excellence Awards, which falls on Jan. 3, 2025 Categories include a new one in honor of the group's 75th anniversary — your favorite project completed since 1949.

>> What we're listening to:  How to navigate a leadership transition. The popular HBR On Strategy podcast's latest episode features IMD Business School professor Michael Watkins discussing his framework for finding the most suitable transition strategy for various succession scenarios.

>> Just for fun: Check out this Reddit thread with gift ideas for people who work with their hands. 

Roofing Revolution: New performance expectations

Businesses are demanding more from their roofing. "The focus has shifted from simple coverage to making roofs an active part of a building’s performance system," write the editors of BOSS Magazine in a recent editorial.

Areas of interest include:

More innovative technology: Advanced sensors and IoT technology that monitor various conditions in real time so you can identify and address issues faster and more cost-effectively.

Higher energy efficiency: Interest is growing in solar integration and built-up roofing, which uses UV-resistant material that provides much better insulation

Increased environmental/climate features: Green and blue roofing systems capture stormwater and reduce the heat-island effect.

Localized climate resilience: Solutions that address local climate challenges are getting more attention, such as higher wind standards for inland commercial and multifamily buildings or systems designed to handle excessive rainfall.

Why it matters: "Gone are the days when 'going green' meant sacrificing performance or breaking the bank," the editors conclude. "These solutions work together ... creating a roof that protects, powers and preserves resources." (BOSS Magazine)

>>  The seven trends driving build-to-rent

>>  ABC announces national chair, executive committee

>>  Top 10 markets for cold storage development

>>  What's propelling mortgage rates?

>>  Demand for steel, other metals, rising

Crew Concerns: How to help family caregivers on your team

Do you have any family caregivers on your team? According to a recent study from Harvard Business School’s Managing the Future of Work project, the odds are you do. And not just the women you work with. Data from Guardian shows that 44% of family caregivers are men.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of employees responding the the HBS survey currently had some kind of caregiving responsibility, such as looking after kids, elders, community members or all of the above. And the burden is significant:

• 80% said caregiving affected their productivity
• 47% reported it impaired their ability to perform their best at work all or most of the time; 36% said sometimes
• 32% voluntarily left a job because of their caregiving responsibilities, with more men (38%) quitting than women (27%)

Addressing your workers' caregiving needs "has the potential to be an important source of competitive advantage," the report's authors, Joseph B. Fuller and Manjari Raman, note in their executive summary. You can start by gathering data on caregivers in your employ, recognizing that caregiving is not just childcare, reviewing and updating your caregiving policies and cultivating a culture that doesn’t stigmatize time off for giving care.

Why it matters: Addressing employees’ caregiving needs can be an advantage in stabilizing the workforce, particularly at the skilled trades and management levels. “For example, in the 26−35 group, the percentage of people who had left a position rose higher at each position level: employee (23%); manager of employees (44%); manager of managers (53%); senior leaders (61%),” the authors reported. (Harvard Business School)

Atomic Age: Data centers fuel interest in nuclear power

With data center construction and expansion anticipated to stay strong, the sector’s power use is spurring another kind of growth. These facilities consume an enormous amount of energy, and the tech companies who rely on them are seeking innovative ways to generate power while offsetting emissions. The biggest players are going nuclear.

• In March, Amazon Web Services purchased a nuclear-powered data center campus in Pennsylvania and last month it announced a partnership with Energy Northwest to develop four small nuclear reactors (SMR) in its home state of Washington.
• In September, Microsoft made a deal with Constellation to restart Three Mile Island in an effort to offset its data center electricity use.
• In October, Google announced plans to purchase energy from multiple SMRs developed by Kairos Power

SMRs and co-location with existing plants is likely to increase, "driven by the need for a reliable, 24/7 power source to support the growing demand for data centers, especially with the rise of AI workloads,” Gordon Dolven, director of data center research at CBRE, told Construction Dive. “Nuclear power offers consistent energy with zero carbon emissions, aligning with both operational and sustainability goals.”

Why it matters: As tech companies drive the market for these facilities – and solid market fundamentals continue to spur interest from institutional investors – demand for nuclear infrastructure will rise alongside data center construction. Additional interest rate cuts that lower the cost of borrowing will only amplify the opportunity for self-funded or investor-backed projects. (Construction Dive)

• Cybersecurity: Not just a tech industry problem Learn why the construction industry is especially vulnerable to cyberattacks, and how to protect your business, from the Construction Management Association of America.
• 🎧 Deal with political tension at work Consultant, author and advocate Denise Hamilton shares her advice for managing political conversations at work on the Radical Candor podcast.
• Up your cost estimating and control game In this online course, part of Columbia University's construction management specialization, Ibrahim Odeh, PhD, MBA, teaches the fundamentals of accurate estimating and effective controls.

Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at thelevel@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Level is curated and written by Margot Lester and edited by Katie Parsons.