Commercial Construction Archives - The Douglas Company - Senior Living and Multifamily General Contractor Located in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Florida

Material Cost Increases Abound

Posted on January 19, 2022 | by Bob Ritter

The turn of the calendar has brought about an unfortunate turn for material pricing. At this point, it seems like nearly all materials have seen major increases. All of this is in line with some of the largest inflation increases ever. What’s going on?

While each material has its own nuances, the primary driving cause behind all of them is the same condition we’ve been dealing with for years: High demand supported by low-interest rates means a lot of construction is happening right now. Costs are up quite simply because projects continue to be built in spite of them. Subcontractor backlogs have been surveyed as being at some of the highest levels in recent history. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

The message now is to stay the course in spite of material cost increases. We...

The Douglas Company Announces Key Associates Promotions

Posted on April 28, 2021 | by Bob Ritter

The Douglas Company, General Contractor, is pleased to announce four key promotions within our Holland, Ohio office, a move that advances both our associates' professional development and the organization's growth.

"Internal succession and promotions build upon our foundation while allowing the company to evolve and grow. In their new roles, these team members will strengthen the organizational structure and effectively allow our team to focus on client satisfaction while executing our long-term growth strategy. We expect each of the key associates' leadership, experience, and vision to enhance our organization," said Peter Douglas, President of The Douglas Company.

Justin VanAtta
Project Manager

Justin VanAtta joined The Douglas Company in 2017 as an Assistant Project Manager and has since earned the position of Project Manager. In Justin's new role, his responsibilities include managing the complete life cycle of a variety of projects and working closely with clients...

Exoskeletons in Construction

Posted on November 19, 2019 | by Bob Ritter

When you hear the word exoskeleton you probably start thinking of something out of a sci-fi movie like Alien or Avatar, but they are starting to make a presence in construction. Exoskeletons or exosuits are a wearable technology typically made from metal and other fabrics that attach to the body. They are aimed to help lessen the strain on workers' body allowing them to work quickly and safely while reducing injuries. With the potential to reduce required muscle force by as much as 60%, it’s easy to see what kind of an impact this technology could have on workers by easing the physical demands that come with the job. Currently, there are two (2) main types powered and mechanical (passive), and over five (5) main categories for these power suits: power gloves, arm/shoulder support, back support, standing/crouching support. As this technology continues to evolve it will be interesting to see...