If you work in the pavement industry as a company worker, employer or owner, you’re probably wondering what to expect in 2022. Here at PNBA, we are an industry leader in creating a network of pavement professionals and partnerships to help you and your peers grow your business. With this in mind, we’re highlighting four emerging trends to help you prepare for and succeed in 2022. Keep these trends at the forefront of your thinking as you work with your suppliers, employees, workers, and customers.

1. Increased Technology Use

Construction technology is more advanced and rapidly changing than ever. Moreover, with the retirement of career professionals and the employment of younger tech-savvy generations, technology is playing a more significant role.

Remote technologies have grown due to the social distancing strictures of the pandemic, and many companies are using high-tech tools such as drones to monitor asphalt application and drying, for example. Some are also using thermal imaging to measure pavement temperature. While the paving industry primarily relies on human power and presence, technology is becoming integral.

2. Predictable Maintenance

Technology and data collection and analysis go hand in hand in predicting asphalt failure and maintenance. Today, asphalt contractors can take data from untold numbers of similar asphalt sites, from parking lots to driveways, and predict when problems might arise and plan for their solutions. 

Predictable maintenance is a powerful tool and concept for contractors and customers alike. Using data in this way can result in long-term savings of money and time for both parties. Contractors can anticipate and flag minor issues before they grow into major, more expensive and time-consuming problems. 

3. Higher Prices

The pandemic has impacted supply and demand across most industries, including the pavement industry. As a result, material and labor costs have risen. In 2022, experts expect these same supply chain issues to persist, which impacts companies and their customers through higher prices. Further, experts note that across-the-board prices have risen, from consumer to gasoline and transportation prices.

Pavement companies can best prepare their customers for these high trickle-down prices by communicating the challenges they are facing and responding in a clear and time-sensitive manner to related questions or concerns. Keeping your customers in the loop about how industry challenges and factors might affect them can help you forge greater trust and deeper relationships with them.

4. More Temporary Workers

As career professionals retire and the pandemic’s labor shortage persists, many pavement companies have chosen to invest in temporary workers. 

Companies hire temporary workers differently from regular employees, often using labor agencies, websites and apps. While temporary workers are different from employees, they can often offer many benefits to companies, from spur-of-the-moment availability to valuable expertise and experience in niche areas of the pavement and construction industries.

To ask questions about these and other emerging trends, contact us at CNBA today. Call, email, or text us, and we will respond within 24 hours. We look forward to assisting you in your asphalt pavement work and learning how to continue serving you and your peers in the future.