Building Management

Aging infrastructure and growing urban demands are straining America’s commercial facilities. But specialized service providers like GreenTeam are stepping up to fill these gaps. With over 5.9 million commercial buildings in the U.S., many facing deteriorating plumbing and utility systems, the need for reliable, professional contractors has never been greater. This latest episode explores…

As America ramps up its focus on rebuilding infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, the skilled trades are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. With a national labor shortage in HVAC and related fields, companies are hungry for the next generation of technicians—and women are stepping into the space like never before. Only 2 percent…

The skilled trades are facing a demographic cliff. The reality is that far fewer people are entering the trades than leaving, creating a widening gap that threatens the stability of critical infrastructure across the U.S. At the same time, younger generations are bringing different expectations around work-life balance, culture, and purpose. As a result, service…

Workplace safety is no longer just about meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about fostering a proactive culture of risk management and innovation. With ongoing discussions around the future of OSHA and the rise of AI-driven safety solutions, industries are reevaluating their approach to keeping workers safe. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), workplace fatalities have…

The HVAC industry is evolving, and with it, the roles within the sector are expanding beyond traditional boundaries. Amid rising tuition costs and strong demand for skilled labor, young people are increasingly choosing trade schools over a traditional college education. With such a shift highlighting the need for a more diverse workforce, the questions…

In an industry grappling with unprecedented changes, from liquid cooling innovations to bridging labor gaps, the HVAC world is evolving rapidly. With sustainability and efficiency becoming central themes, it’s a critical moment for rethinking solutions and workforce development. The stakes are high—data centers alone, for instance, are expected to account for 3-4% of global…

The U.S. is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, a challenge exacerbated by limited early exposure to the trades in schools. With projections showing a steady decline in the availability of qualified workers to support infrastructure and construction, programs like those led by Evin Jarrett are stepping in to bridge the gap. His…

The HVAC industry has seen a number of changes in recent years. Many of those changes are due to technology and community increasingly intersecting, and professionals are finding that success lies not just in technical expertise but in the strength of relationship-building. Since automation and mechanical systems become even more complex, the need for…

The data center industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, spurred by the challenges of COVID-19 and an intensified focus on sustainable practices. These shifts have prompted innovations in energy efficiency and new strategies in business operations, reshaping how data centers address both technological demands and environmental responsibilities. In this episode of Straight…

The HVAC industry is evolving quickly, from advanced controls to new refrigerant standards, yet one principle remains timeless: skilled technicians are the backbone of the trade. What is changing is how companies are preparing those technicians for long-term careers through focused HVAC training. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the…

Trade school enrollment climbed 4.9% between fall 2020 and fall 2023, signaling a national shift toward skills-based careers as alternatives to four-year degrees. This modest but meaningful rebound underscores growing interest in trades like HVACR, where demand is high, but representation remains lopsided. For decades, women in the field have been overlooked despite playing…

The HVAC industry is undergoing significant growth, driven by increased suburban migration and a surge in home renovations requiring system upgrades. The U.S. HVAC market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2025 to 2030. As businesses scale to meet this demand, balancing expansion with retaining strong…

Automation is rapidly gaining momentum in the warehouse and logistics world, but meaningful, scalable success remains elusive. While the technology is reliable and the benefits are clear, a mere 20% of warehouses in North America have implemented any type of automation, according to a 2024 McKinsey report. While the majority of logistics and supply chain…

As consumer expectations for rapid delivery tighten supply chain timelines, warehouses face a logistical balancing act: they must move goods faster while dealing with labor shortages and ever-changing operational environments. Unlike manufacturing facilities, which thrive on predictable workflows, warehouses change minute by minute based on human activity, delivery windows, and inventory flow. Reflecting this operational…

Warehouse automation is rising sharply, with Gartner predicting that more than 75% of companies will have integrated cyber-physical systems into their operations by 2027. While this growth is driven by increasing demand for flexible, scalable fulfillment solutions, it brings new operational and robot safety challenges that traditional warehouse cultures and systems aren’t always prepared for….

In a logistics landscape where labor shortages persist and pressure to optimize warehouse throughput intensifies, many organizations are looking to automation as a solution. Yet, despite growing investments in robotics, especially autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), scaling warehouse automation remains a major challenge. The problem? It’s not the robots. It’s how they’re used. So, what really…

Warehouse automation is no longer a fringe concept—it’s accelerating fast. According to McKinsey, robot shipments are expected to grow by as much as 50% annually through 2030, and warehouse automation spending is rising by over 10% each year. As companies race to modernize operations, it’s becoming clear that real performance doesn’t come from hardware alone——it’s…

Despite the growing buzz around warehouse automation, a major piece of the puzzle remains largely untouched: case picking. While autonomous vehicles and robotic arms are gaining traction, many warehouses still depend on manual labor to move cases from shelf to pallet. This inefficiency not only slows down throughput but also places strain on workers…

In this episode of Critical Response Stories, Kacie Chappell shares a hard truth many organizations face too late: a business continuity plan is only as strong as the people carrying it out. Kacie has seen that the most successful recoveries start long before the storm hits. They begin with preparation, practice, and a clear…

In this soundbite, Kacie Chappell shares how proactive planning can turn a chaotic emergency into a moment of calm leadership. For Kacie, preparation is not just about logistics. It is what allows teams to step up when it matters most. “When organizations plan before something happens, they really see the benefit in the heat of…

When a tornado tore through Oklahoma City in April, BMS CAT was already on-site before many businesses even realized the extent of the tornado damage—including Valor Physical Therapy. Thanks to an existing relationship with Valor’s affiliated hospital, the BMS CAT team was positioned to respond quickly. “We were actually on scene before they knew…

Many homeowners don’t realize that standard homeowner’s insurance excludes flood protection. That’s a risk worth correcting fast. Lori Callahan, Assistant VP and Account Executive for Personal Lines at B.F. Saul Insurance, stresses the importance of proactive flood coverage. “About 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones,” she explains. Because of that, her…

When it comes to flood insurance, preparation is key. Tyler Ardron, Executive Vice President at Floodproofing.com, often advises homeowners and businesses to take proactive steps before a storm hits. “We deal with this all the time with our clients,” Ardron explains. “Have a list of your belongings, include estimated values, and schedule everything out ahead…

In April 2023, a powerful tornado tore through Shawnee, Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction—including severe damage to Valir Physical Therapy’s local facility. Half the building was left standing, the other half shredded beyond use. But before Valir staff even arrived on site, BMS CAT was already there. “They beat me to the site,”…

In this installment of Restoration Journeys, we highlight Thomas Malone’s firsthand account of a crisis at his Amazon warehouse and how BMS CAT’s swift response made all the difference. Arriving for his shift early one morning, Thomas was met with flashing lights and an unexpected disaster—a lithium battery had ignited a fire in the…

In this episode, Aaron Berg explores how River Logic’s value chain optimization platform empowers businesses to stay agile amid real-world disruptions—from global tariffs to port delays, weather events, and shifting demand. By simulating the financial and operational impact of supply chain decisions in real time, companies can rethink sourcing, pricing, and production strategies to protect…

In this episode, Aaron Berg reframes tariff disruptions as a strategic opportunity. With River Logic’s value chain optimization solution, companies can quickly model shifts in sourcing, manufacturing, and make-vs-buy decisions to gain a competitive edge. Whether it’s reshoring production or pivoting in response to new trade policies, VCO helps businesses react fast—and capitalize on change…