Ep 148: EJ Herron – Bringing GPS and 3D Systems to your Jobsite

CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors

The visionary behind Dig-It Digital GPS, EJ Herron, joins Taylor on the podcast this week for a fascinating journey through the cutting-edge realm of construction technology. Together, they explore its profound impact on the industry's efficiency and precision, and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you're a construction professional seeking to stay at the forefront of industry advancements or simply intrigued by the latest in technological innovation, this episode promises an engaging and informative experience.

As shared here today, EJ's personal odyssey, from his early encounters with Caterpillar to his role as a trailblazer for technology adoption at SITECH South, provides a riveting narrative of the construction industry's evolution, exemplifying the transition from conventional practices to the transformative power of GPS and 3D modeling. His discussion with Taylor also delves into the pivotal role of GPS technology on construction sites, demystifying the intricacies of base stations, satellite corrections, 3D models, and machine sensors. As you will hear, the real triumph lies in the profound impact on precision, efficiency, and a dramatic reduction in rework. Today’s episode lays bare the imperative for construction companies to embrace technology as a formidable competitive advantage, quelling the apprehensions surrounding its adoption and highlighting the benefits that extend far beyond improved project outcomes. With glimpses into the future, including the potential for autonomous machinery, EJ and Taylor leave no doubt that the construction industry is at the precipice of an exciting technological era, one that EJ will be documenting and showcasing to the world at each momentous step along the way.

Topics:

• EJ's transition from traditional excavation to embracing modern construction technology
• The pivotal role of GPS technology in construction
• The competitive advantage gained by construction companies through technology adoption
• Strategies for integrating GPS technology into construction projects and winning bids
• The future of technology in construction
• Attracting a new generation of talent through technology's appeal to younger individuals
• Leveraging social media's reach and influence to connect with employees and clients in the construction industry
• The impact of technology on improving project precision and efficiency
• Some real-world examples of technology’s success in construction projects

Quotes:

"We're still trying to get people on board to use 3D just to begin with."

"People with the technology are just going to get the work done a lot cheaper and a lot faster.”

"What we're seeing is the past three years in construction have obviously been wild times."

"What keeps you up at night? How do you solve that? Is it a labor issue? Are you having a problem attracting new operators? Technology can help with that."

"You don't have to go to college if you don't want to. You can consider a trade. You can consider going to work."

"It's not hard because I enjoy it and I enjoy working with the people and helping them and seeing them succeed."

"Small customers, big customers, everybody gets an advantage with using technology."

As always, thank you to our good friends over at Komatsu for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.komatsu.com/

Links:

• Taylor White on LinkedIn
• To see highlights from the 2023 show, go to: https://www.conexpoconagg.com/show-experience/show-highlights
• Komatsu: https://www.komatsu.com/
• Dig-It Digital GPS Linktree: https://linktr.ee/digitdigitalgps