Build Me Up Kraus-Anderson

Adolescence is a crucial time for building good habits that are key to mental health, such as good sleep, exercising, learning to cope with problems, and managing emotions. Having supportive family, school, and community environments really helps. Many factors can affect mental health, and the more risks teens face, the more it impacts them. Some teens are at higher risk of mental health issues because of tough living conditions, stigma, discrimination, or lack of support, like those in unstable settings, with chronic illnesses, or from minority backgrounds. In this episode, "Build Me Up" discusses the mental health of our youth and what the Prairie Care Fund is doing to provide support to schools and families on the front lines of this issue.

As residents of the large metro area of Minneapolis, Laurisa and Lisa sometimes forget what a privilege it is to have close access to a variety of leading healthcare providers. The reality for many is that they have to travel a long way to receive specialty care. Often, it means taking kids out of school, being away from the family's support system, and major disruptions to everyday life.   

The Ronald McDonald House Charity works to improve the health and well-being of children and support families whose children are dealing with serious illnesses or injuries. By providing lodging, meals, and a K-12 school, to name a few of its services, it allows families to focus on their child's health.  

In December 2023, the Eastern Wisconsin RMHC Chapter celebrated its 40-year anniversary. Laurie Bertrand, President and CEO, and Mike Timmers, board member / Kraus-Anderson's Director of Operations (Milwaukee), join the podcast to highlight the nonprofit's good work and services.

Kraus-Anderson's Building Information Modeling (BIM) Department joins this episode of "Build Me Up." From drones to 360-degree cameras to Digital Twin, Andrea, Michelle, and Micah sit down to discuss the various tools utilized to help aid the construction process. The team chats about clash detections, as well as the benefits of involving their department before, during, and after the building process.

Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG) requirements are popping up everywhere. Do you know the expectations of all the various stakeholders that impact your business? These include project owners, general contractors, investors, lenders, insurance companies, employees, and governmental agencies. Each comes with risks and opportunities. We are thrilled to join the Kraus-Anderson Insurance "Ilume" podcast to bring you an enlightening discussion on construction environmental risk and insurance. Mallory Thomas, a partner with Baker Tilly’s risk management practice in Minneapolis joins us to discuss these emerging risk issues and ways to position your business for success, both internally and externally.

At "Build Me Up," we've noticed a surge in articles discussing the use of mass timber in construction. While timber has been a construction staple for centuries, conversation about it has increased due to its role in addressing sustainability issues, particularly embodied carbon. Advancements in timber products, like cross-laminated or glue-laminated timber, have enhanced its strength, prompting the industry to take a fresh look at this long-used material. 

Kevin Bright, KA's Sustainability Manager, and Chad Rempe, KA’s Design Phase Services Manager, join the podcast. Together, we delve into the realm of mass timber, aiming to debunk assumptions about embodied carbon and its significance in construction. 

Back by popular demand, "Build Me Up" invited FMI’s Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman and KA’s EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we give in to a look ahead for the year.  

Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We talk about strategic planning, tech, workforce challenges, and industry trends for 2024. Jay brings in the national perspective of what we can expect, and Rich gives a more focused, local approach of what is going on in the Midwest market.