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Newsletter

Weekly Dispatch

Every story that has appeared in the Future Foreman Weekly Dispatch newsletter. Curated weekly for construction technology professionals.

189 stories across all issues

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WEEKLY DISPATCH
Contractor Backlog and Confidence Rise Again in April, Buoyed by Data Centers
Construction Executive·May 14, 2026

Contractor Backlog and Confidence Rise Again in April, Buoyed by Data Centers

Construction jobs increased in April, driven largely by data center projects, signaling growing activity in the sector. Contractor confidence and project backlogs are rising in tandem with this job growth, suggesting sustained demand ahead.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Cat Seeks 600 Workers to Build Compact Track Loaders in North Carolina
Equipment World·May 14, 2026

Cat Seeks 600 Workers to Build Compact Track Loaders in North Carolina

Caterpillar is hiring 600 workers in North Carolina to manufacture compact track loaders, with no prior manufacturing experience required and starting wages at $18 per hour. The company will provide on-the-job training for all new hires.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Modular Construction Brings Ample Advantages—and Unique Risks
Construction Executive·May 13, 2026

Modular Construction Brings Ample Advantages—and Unique Risks

Modular construction delivers significant operational benefits by enabling faster assembly, reduced on-site labor, and improved quality control through factory-controlled production. However, this approach introduces distinct risks including supply chain vulnerabilities, transportation challenges, and the need for specialized skills to manage prefabricated components.

WorkforceMaterials
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Xometry Reports Record Q1 2026 Revenue as Marketplace Growth Reaches 40%
3D Printing Industry·May 13, 2026

Xometry Reports Record Q1 2026 Revenue as Marketplace Growth Reaches 40%

Xometry's AI-powered manufacturing marketplace hit $205 million in Q1 2026 revenue, growing 36% year-over-year with marketplace revenue jumping 40%. Gross profit climbed 39% to $78.5 million, demonstrating strong momentum in the custom manufacturing space.

AI & ML
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Comau and OMRON Robotics partner to offer robotics for more industries
Robotics Business Review·May 12, 2026

Comau and OMRON Robotics partner to offer robotics for more industries

Comau and OMRON Robotics are partnering to combine their robotics, control, and software expertise into flexible automation solutions for a broader range of industries. The partnership aims to make robotic automation more accessible and practical for global customers across different sectors.

Robotics
WEEKLY DISPATCH
New Framework Could Standardize 3D Printed Construction in Earthquake Zones
3D Printing Industry·May 11, 2026

New Framework Could Standardize 3D Printed Construction in Earthquake Zones

Researchers at IIT Guwahati have successfully tested full-scale 3D printed concrete walls under simulated earthquake conditions and created a validated design framework for seismic applications. The findings, published in the Journal of Building Engineering, provide a standardized approach for using 3D printed construction in earthquake-prone zones.

3D PrintingMaterials
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Cognex releases fully integrated AI-powered vision system for robotics
Robotics Business Review·May 9, 2026

Cognex releases fully integrated AI-powered vision system for robotics

Cognex has introduced a new vision system that integrates AI, advanced computing, and traditional vision tools specifically designed for robotic applications. The unified platform combines edge AI processing with high-performance embedded compute to deliver real-time visual intelligence for construction robots.

AI & MLRobotics
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Why traditional robotics data collection is obsolete and what replaces it
Robotics Business Review·May 8, 2026

Why traditional robotics data collection is obsolete and what replaces it

Rhoda AI is replacing traditional robotics data collection methods with an approach that leverages video data to train robots more efficiently and at scale. This shift makes robotic systems cheaper and faster to deploy on job sites by eliminating the need for manual, time-consuming data collection processes.

AI & MLRobotics
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Skyjack Introduces New Articulated Boom and Scissor Lifts
Equipment World·May 8, 2026

Skyjack Introduces New Articulated Boom and Scissor Lifts

Skyjack has launched new electric articulated boom lifts and introduced its tallest scissor lift model to its aerial work platform lineup. These additions expand the company's offerings for construction and maintenance work at various heights and reach requirements.

Electrification
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Nikon AM Synergy Secures New DLA Supply Chain Contract
3D Printing Industry·May 8, 2026

Nikon AM Synergy Secures New DLA Supply Chain Contract

Nikon AM Synergy has won a Defense Logistics Agency contract to supply additively manufactured parts directly to the US military through the JAMA IV pilot program. The DLA is using this pilot to test whether 3D printing can reliably support military supply chains at scale.

3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Relevance in The AI Age
ENR Construction Technology·May 7, 2026

Relevance in The AI Age

A contractor demonstrated using an AI tool to automate daily report generation during a project review. The article explores how AI adoption is changing workflows and maintaining relevance in construction.

AI & MLWorkforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Louisiana Begins $2.3B Replacement of I-10 Calcasieu Bridge
Equipment World·May 7, 2026

Louisiana Begins $2.3B Replacement of I-10 Calcasieu Bridge

Louisiana is launching a $2.3 billion replacement project for the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge, representing the state's largest-ever transportation infrastructure investment. The massive undertaking will require substantial workforce mobilization and coordination across multiple construction disciplines and phases.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Construction Hiring Still Exceptionally Slow in March
Construction Executive·May 7, 2026

Construction Hiring Still Exceptionally Slow in March

Construction companies continued their cautious hiring approach in March, adding jobs at a sluggish pace while also avoiding significant layoffs. The industry remains in a holding pattern—neither aggressively expanding payroll nor making major workforce reductions.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
The Newest Member of Your Facilities Team? Your Building.
Construction Executive·May 6, 2026

The Newest Member of Your Facilities Team? Your Building.

Buildings equipped with AI can now monitor and report their own operational status, effectively functioning as an additional facilities team member. This technology helps facility managers listen to real-time data from their buildings to optimize maintenance and operations.

AI & ML
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Caterpillar Reports 38% Boost to Construction Equipment Revenue for Q1 2026
Equipment World·May 6, 2026

Caterpillar Reports 38% Boost to Construction Equipment Revenue for Q1 2026

Caterpillar's construction equipment revenue jumped 38% in Q1 2026, driving overall company revenue up 22% to $17.4 billion. The strong results reflect robust demand across the company's construction equipment business segment.

WEEKLY DISPATCH
1X begins production of NEO humanoids in California facility
Robotics Business Review·May 6, 2026

1X begins production of NEO humanoids in California facility

1X has opened a California manufacturing facility to produce NEO humanoid robots at full scale, marking a major shift toward domestic humanoid robot production in the U.S. The vertically integrated factory positions the company to supply robots for construction and other industries seeking automation solutions.

RoboticsWorkforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
3D Printing in Housing: Faster, Possibly Cheaper
AEC Business·May 4, 2026

3D Printing in Housing: Faster, Possibly Cheaper

In April, PERI 3D Construction completed ViliaSprint², a construction project for a three-story residential building with 12 social housing units in Bezannes, France. According to the company, this was the first on-site-printed multifamily residential building in the country and the largest in…

3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Data Management Systems in Construction Projects
Construction Executive·May 1, 2026

Data Management Systems in Construction Projects

Data management systems are now essential tools on construction projects, enabling teams to organize information and make faster, more accurate decisions in real-time. Proper data structure and accessibility directly impact project control and decision-making quality.