Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

In 2021, MCD Developments engaged SmartTech Australia to install XWatch XW4 height and slew limiting systems on two of its excavators. Inside Construction caught up with company Director Malcolm De Wildt to find out what his team has been able to achieve since adopting the technology. Working in the construction industry for over a decade for the likes of CPB Contractors and Delta Group, Malcolm De Wildt launched his own specialist excavation company MCD Developments in 2017. After engaging SmartTech Australia in 2021 to install XWatch XW4 height and slew limiting systems on its 14.5-tonne and 22.5-tonne excavators, MCD Developments saw swift improvements across its operations. Today, with the benefits of XWatch, the company delivers projects for Tier 1 construction companies and major road projects throughout Victoria. With the XWatch XW4 height and slew limiting system, MCD Developments’ 14.5-tonne excavator avoids contact with overhead utilities such as power lines. De Wild...

Following the recent launch of the new Safe Formworker Program , Michael Sugg delves into the Formwork Industry Association’s plans to develop a new education and skills pathway. By Michael Sugg, Chief Executive Officer, Formwork Industry Association. With the launch of the new Safe Formworker Program and with enrolments increasing by the day, the Formwork Industry Association (FIA) is working with its members to develop a new education and skills pathway. This will take the re-engaged formworker from the Safe Formworker Program to certified training and the new Certificate III in Formwork, currently being discussed by the FIA with Federal Government training bodies. The goal is to develop a ‘fit for purpose’ formwork qualification in preparation for the large number of government infrastructure projects in the pipeline. History As you may be aware, the previous Federal Government made the decision to subsume the Formwork & Falsework Certificate III qualification into the Ca...

Trimble is fostering the construction industry’s pivot towards digitisation by driving productivity, sustainability, next generation talent and autonomy with its portfolio of cutting-edge construction technology. The construction industry is fast becoming a technology-rich environment. Data collection, machine control systems, building information modelling, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality are now terms used widely by all facets of the sector, though the technology transition has been a long-winded and incremental process. Technology providers like Trimble have been fundamental in steering the construction industry in the right direction. The emerging digital ecosystem is a hotbed of opportunity for owners and construction professionals alike. Many technology-enabled solutions in the construction space today – and likely for the near future – are largely focused on task automation or the use of technology to automate routine tasks such as digging trenches or compact...

Joining the construction industry by chance on the back of an economic downturn, Katie O’Malley quickly developed a zealous enthusiasm for delivering meaningful places and infrastructure. It’s hard to imagine Katie O’Malley in an industry outside of construction. Her passion for the sector shines through in the way she speaks about her role as Group Corporate Affairs Manager at BESIX Watpac and the construction projects, initiatives and teams she’s been a part of. It may be surprising to some that O’Malley’s career began in the advertising world. Growing up, her parents actively encouraged her to get an education and at the age of 18, O’Malley left home and completed a Bachelor of Communication and Design in Wellington, New Zealand. At that time, a vast majority of New Zealand graduates made their way to the UK for work, but O’Malley says she was hankering for an adventure and accepted a position in Tonga to work for a small media and tourism publishing firm. “Living in a developi...

The formwork industry is taking the lead and has secured funding to improve formwork safety on construction sites, with a focus on education, innovation and collaboration as critical enablers of success. SafeWork Australia’s report Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023-2033 , which was released in late February, is a national WHS strategy agreed to by all states and territories aimed at reducing workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. It sets a national vision of safe and healthy work for all, providing a platform for delivering key WHS improvements. The Formwork Industry Association (FIA) supports this strategy and looks forward over the next decade to continuing its commitment to healthier, safer workplaces. This strategy notes that while fatality and injury rates have generally fallen over the last decade, the progress has slowed. It states, “education, innovation and collaboration will be critical enablers of success” – something the FIA has been advocat...

John Holland is partnering with Downer EDI Limited and the Queensland Government to support train manufacturing through the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program . On behalf of Downer, John Holland will design, build and commission a new purpose-built train manufacturing facility at Torbanlea in the Fraser Coast region. David Lehmann, Executive General Manager – Building at John Holland said the company was proud to be leveraging its capabilities in delivering critical infrastructure. “This new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will become a central hub for train manufacturing in Queensland, and more specifically, the Fraser Coast region,” he said. “We’ll create hundreds of jobs during construction of the facility and drive economic growth, and that’s only the start for this state-shaping program.” “Our expertise in building the facilities our communities need extends from hospitals and stadiums through to the manufacturing hubs of the future. “That’s how we transform live...

Explore common formwork types and their uses in civil construction services. Optimize efficiency and precision in your projects. Learn more today! Formwork refers to temporary or permanent moulds or structures utilised to support and shape poured concrete until it reaches the desired strength and form of the project. It can be made from wood, steel, aluminium, or other materials. Using these materials can help the formwork withstand the weight of the wet concrete and the pressure exerted by the compacting tool. Once the concrete has hardened, the formwork is removed and reused or recycled for future projects. This specific component can ensure that the final structure will be strong and durable. Common Types of Formwork Different types of formwork can be maximised by construction companies and contractors . Some of these types are as follows: • Traditional Formwork –Traditional formwork takes advantage of timber to create the mould or framework. It is a widely used method for sma...