Matt Caplinger knows the importance of keeping his building services teams ahead of technology and efficiency trends.
Est PetersburgPennsylvania-based Warfel Construction Co. recently selected Caplinger as its headquarters director of construction services. The construction veteran brings over 30 years of industry experience, primarily in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing environment.
His previous role was director of commercial business at Haller Enterprises, a Lititz, Pennsylvania-based company specializing in heating, cooling plumbing and electrical services, according to his LinkedIn page.
In his new role, Caplinger oversees the day-to-day operations of Warfel’s construction services teams.
Here, Caplinger talks to Construction Dive about the MEP space, the role of new technology and operational challenges in today’s construction industry.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
CONSTRUCTION DIVER: With your experience in the MEP space, how do you plan to manage Warfel’s construction services teams?
MATT CAPLINGER: The most important thing I have learned over the last 30 years in the MEP industry is the importance of communication and coordination. Nothing gets done successfully without looking at the issues up front and creating a solid plan for how the teams will put the work in place.
This is the pinnacle of MEP: removing conflicts between very complex systems and making sure everyone is on the same page as work progresses. I believe this emphasis on communication and coordination prepared me to lead our teams in meeting schedules and quality goals for each of our clients.
As director of construction services, how do you see the evolution of technologies such as BIM or artificial intelligence in your work at Warfel, especially in improving efficiency and quality?
This is an exciting time in construction as these new technologies have an immediate physical impact on the work we do. Once we adopt a technology for use in the office or in the field, it helps us work more efficiently, safely and with higher quality.
Matt Caplinger
Permission granted by Warfel Construction
I’m particularly excited about the intersection of both BIM and AI, as using these tools together could help our teams automatically detect building clashes more accurately or create more efficient construction phases based on materials and requirements of the calendar In fact, this excitement runs through all levels of our company and we keep our finger on the pulse of startups and new software being developed.
In early August, our fellows presented their summer research topics to our operations team. Four fellows, who spent time in all Warfel departments, gave presentations on various forms of “AI in construction.”
An intern who spent specific time researching with our Design and Virtual Build department gave a presentation on AI in relation to VDC and BIM. There are many great opportunities we are exploring to bring these tools to Warfel throughout the construction lifecycle.
What do you think are the biggest operational challenges in the construction industry today and how do you plan to address them in your new role?
With expanding technology that can capture and analyze thousands of high-resolution photos of a construction project over time, and program management tools that provide instant updates, there’s no excuse for having a job unorganized or of low quality. These tools have raised the bar on owner expectations for quality, security and communication.
Warfel appreciates this increased awareness towards quality and communication: we have been following this trend for the last few years and have created a dedicated quality management department to fulfill the additional manpower to complete projects successfully and d high quality
Additionally, we recently added team members to QM who only support our construction services projects. I’m thrilled to see this growth, as all of these efforts support our “Customers for Life” mission: to do such a good job on a project that customers choose Warfel to build again in the future.
Are there specific sectors where you see the greatest potential for innovation or operational improvement?
I believe that healthcare is an important sector where bringing together new technologies and robust operational processes will have many benefits, especially for the renovation of existing healthcare facilities.
These buildings have very complex MEP systems, narrow corridors, strict air pressure requirements, are occupied by vulnerable patient populations and require specific materials and finishes. These complexities are added to the typical considerations of any renovation, such as phasing and logistics, completing the job on time and staying on budget as unknown conditions are discovered.
Warfel has a strong background in healthcare and behavioral health facility construction and renovation, with several team members dedicated specifically to healthcare. We use their expertise to develop standard operating procedures, quality control checklists and safety plans to complete these projects, while incorporating new tools and technologies.
Are there other trends you’re keeping an eye on?
I often think about the growing awareness and importance of the relational nature of construction, and how important it is to choose a partner you want to work with.
No construction project is perfect, and problems will arise in many forms. It is much easier to find solutions and get a great result when the owner, architect, engineers, consultants and construction manager are all working towards the same goal.
