Is Prefabrication a Fad or Here to Stay?

In today’s installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin continue their fascinating field trip to the Eastern Atlantic State's Regional Council of Carpenters Dive School in Sicklerville, New Jersey. Positioned on a serene lake, the hosts are joined by Dave Iannucci, the Special Projects Coordinator for the EAS Carpenters.

They delve into the school's unique offerings and recent certifications, exploring its evolution from the Philadelphia Carpenters JAC and the Northeast Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Fund to the newly formed EAS CTC. 

 The episode unfolds with a discussion about the school's commitment to eliminating apprenticeship stigma and its groundbreaking plans for accreditation and degree conferment in the future, among several other topics.

In this episode of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien take a field trip to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are joined by Steve Powers, the Vice President of Sales at Novinger's, who is hailed as the cleanup hitter and the go-to person for all things related to panel construction and exterior panels. Steve shares insights into the evolution of prefabrication, from a curious construction method to a financial necessity driving project efficiency. The episode promises a fascinating exploration of the history, challenges, and advancements in prefabrication, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the industry with a seasoned expert. 

In this podcast episode, Brian Skripac, the Director for Virtual Design and Construction with the Design Build Institute of America, shares insights into the evolving landscape of construction technology.

Having transitioned from architecture to the realm of BIM leadership, Skripac discusses the excitement of leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction. He emphasizes the need for professionals in the industry, from contractors to architects and engineers, to tell their stories in the face of declining media coverage. Skripac also delves into the strategic integration of technology into project management, highlighting the benefits of a collaborative design-build approach.

The conversation concludes with a glimpse into the future, exploring the potential impact of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the construction industry. 

Stay tuned for a dynamic discussion on the ever-evolving intersection of technology and construction practices!

Dive into the depths of underwater construction with the latest Building PA Podcast episode in our field trip series featuring guest Don Gibbons, a Commercial Dive Instructor at the EAS Commercial Dive School. 

 Explore the unique skillset of commercial divers who undertake tasks like underwater inspections, and learn about the extensive training and education opportunities at the EAS Commercial Dive School in Sicklerville, NJ. From offshore wind farm maintenance to high-risk environments, discover the strength, determination, and persistence required for this profession. Don also discusses the various training and ongoing education opportunities available at EAS Carpenters to get paid training and accreditation by the Association of Diving Contractors.
 
 This episode is guaranteed to teach you something new about the vast and diverse needs within the construction industry. 

In the latest installment of the Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin conclude their field trip series with a visit to Novinger's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Accompanied by Jim Novinger, the owner of Novinger's, the hosts delve into the company's evolution and extensive expertise in panelization dating back to the 1920s. Jim shares captivating insights into Novinger's history, emphasizing its shift to panelization in the 1970s and its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.

The conversation takes an intriguing turn as the hosts recount a chance encounter with a building featuring Novinger's panels near Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Jim elaborates on the unique architectural challenges they've embraced, such as a building shaped like a question mark with curved panels, showcasing the company's dedication to realizing architects' imaginative visions.

The episode further explores Novinger's national footprint, spanning projects from New Jersey to Arizona, and delves into the complexities and strategies associated with managing projects across diverse geographical locations.

Join Jon, Chris, and Jim for a compelling discussion on Novinger's rich history, diverse projects, and innovative solutions within the realm of exterior panels.

Join Chris and Jon as they welcome 2024 with a reflection of the past year. Our co-hosts discuss the impact Building PA Podcast has had within the PA construction community and beyond, and also touch on their favorite interviews of the year. No lookback would be complete without also looking ahead at the future, so listeners can expect to hear about plans for the upcoming year as well. 

Thank you for another exciting year at Building PA Podcast and stay tuned for even more in 2024. Listen to our 2023 recap, out now!

A lively discussion unfolds as they explore Novinger’s' shop, joined by Dan Myers, Project Manager from Alexander Building Construction Company. This episode provides a unique perspective on prefab and design assist, shedding light on the collaborative relationship between Alexander and Novinger. 

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin bring the audience to Sicklerville, New Jersey, to explore the fascinating setting of the Carpenters Dive School. 

As they share insights from this unique location, including humorous moments and unexpected turns, they're joined by Ollie Olsen, the council rep for the Pile Drivers, Divers, and Dock Workers for the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters. The episode offers a firsthand look into the innovative initiatives led by the Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters under the visionary leadership of Executive Secretary-Treasurer, William Sproule. 

Listeners can anticipate a captivating discussion on the progressive approaches to training, recruiting, and addressing industry challenges, demonstrating the council's commitment to excellence and the well-being of its members.

In the latest episode of Building PA Podcast, co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O'Brien set the stage for an engaging discussion on how to strengthen sales.

This week we introduce an exciting guest, Steve Heroux, Founder and CEO of The Sales Collective, offering a sneak peek into Steve's unconventional journey from a guy in Boston with a unique upbringing to becoming the number one seller of Cutco knives in the country. 

Tune in for a captivating conversation about sales, the sales revolution, and the unfiltered truth about Steve's experiences that shaped his approach to the industry.

In this Building PA Podcast episode, Chris and Jon interview Lorenzo Tabb, owner of Tabb Construction LLC in Reading, PA. 

Lorenzo shares insights from his fourth-year apprenticeship with the Carpenters Union, details his shift to commercial contracts, and discusses managing large projects like the State Police Barracks in Hershey. The episode covers Lorenzo's experiences, the importance of certifications, and the challenges of being a business owner in the evolving construction industry. Topics include union partnerships, the role of Lorenzo's mother in the company, and Tabb Construction's certifications as a woman-owned business. The focus on interior systems projects, challenges in estimating jobs, staff expansion, and the company's exciting prospects are also explored.