As part of a 24-stop North American tour, the Topcon Technology Roadshow visited Wilmington, Ill., located just south of Joliet — approximately 55 mi. (88.5 km) from Chicago. The two-day visit—June 25 and 26—was held on the grounds of the IUOE Local 150 Union Training Center and was hosted by Positioning Solutions Company, Carol Stream, Ill., an authorized Topcon dealer.

“It was an awesome opportunity for construction and survey customers to see everything in one spot,” said Ed McCaffery, marketing director of Positioning Solutions Company. “From my observations and interactions, it was clear to me that contractors were surprised by the breadth of the offering, enjoyed the hands-on exhibits both in the trailer and on the grounds, and they were intrigued with some of the new technologies that were demonstrated.”

The Technology Roadshow displays and demonstrations covered the full range of machine automation, Topcon Enterprise Solutions, BIM and 3D layout, Sitelink3D site management, GNSS and robotics, and scanning and mapping. Contractors were able to maximize their time by scheduling their visit at a convenient time and choosing which displays or demos were of interest.

Justin Smith, survey/machine control manager of K-Five Construction Corporation, Lemont, Ill., liked the opportunity to see engineers and product reps that he’s worked with.

“I was able to talk directly with them and get answers to my questions and learn better ways to take advantage of the technology I have.”

The 53-ft. mobile solutions center truck showcases the latest technology for the construction, survey, civil engineering, architecture and design industries. The information provided is designed to help contractors learn:

• The latest tools and technologies available for the job site and office.

• The impact of field computer technology on project data and administration.

• The latest software technologies and the ability to improve business productivity.

• Total job site solutions to fit any size business.

“My area of knowledge and expertise is in machine control, so it was nice to have the opportunity to learn the intricacies of survey systems,” said Dan Breunig, mechanical supervisor of The Lane Construction Corporation, Shorewood, Ill. “The Technology Roadshow was beneficial to me because I had access to Topcon experts and was able to meet other contractors.”

During the two-day stop, there were contractors from Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“All in attendance were decision-makers and key personnel with keen interest in getting as much as they could out of their time there,” McCaffery said. “Everything is geared toward helping the contractor understand the state of our ever-changing industry and what technologies they should consider adopting to stay competitive. After all, that’s what it’s all about.”

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