Join us in this exciting episode of the Slice of Construction podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor! Our Guest: Mike Powers, Co-Founder & CEO at BuildVision.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• BuildVision connects contractors directly to manufacturers for efficient equipment procurement.

• Mike Powers' journey from a construction background to leading a tech-driven company.

• The unique challenges and strategies in scaling BuildVision.

• The impact of AI and data on construction workflows.

• Innovative revenue streams for general contractors in the construction industry.

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Introduction

In this episode of the Slice Construction Podcast, host Jared S. Taylor sits down with Mike Powers, co-founder and CEO of BuildVision. Mike shares his journey from growing up in the construction industry to leading a tech company that's revolutionizing procurement for commercial construction.

What is BuildVision?

BuildVision is a procurement network designed for commercial construction. It connects contractors directly to manufacturers to streamline the sourcing, procurement, and financing of strategic equipment such as electrical gear and HVAC systems. This direct connection aims to simplify the procurement process and improve efficiency across projects.

Mike Powers' Background

Mike's deep roots in the construction industry began at a young age, accompanying his father to job sites. His academic background in mechanical engineering and professional experience with Turner Construction and Building Connected laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. At Turner, Mike worked with Turner Logistics, now known as SourceBlue, gaining insights into strategic sourcing that inspired the creation of BuildVision.

Challenges and Strategies in Scaling BuildVision

One of the major hurdles BuildVision faces is shifting the industry's mindset from a project-by-project focus to a portfolio-based approach. This change enables contractors to leverage their buying power more effectively across multiple projects. Educating the industry about the benefits of this new transactional model has been a significant challenge.

The Role of AI in Construction

AI is increasingly making its mark on construction, primarily in back-end workflows rather than customer-facing applications. BuildVision recently acquired Specfrog, a company utilizing AI to manage structured data in commercial construction. By leveraging AI for tasks such as data scraping and OCR recognition, BuildVision enhances the efficiency and accuracy of equipment procurement, ensuring that clients receive the best possible solutions.

Innovative Revenue Streams for General Contractors

Mike discusses how general contractors can create new revenue streams by focusing on significant project costs, such as materials and equipment. He emphasizes the importance of strategic procurement, particularly for long-lead-time items like HVAC systems and electrical gear. By tying success to these procurement efforts, BuildVision helps contractors maximize their profitability and efficiency.

Conclusion

Mike Powers offers a fresh perspective on the construction industry, blending his extensive experience with innovative tech solutions. BuildVision aims to transform how contractors source and procure equipment, ultimately making the construction process more efficient and profitable.

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