Despite headwinds over the years, the construction industry outlook is cautiously optimistic. As you work with your team to capitalize on new opportunities, optimizing your equipment maintenance program is critical to delivering jobs on budget and on time.  
 
To better understand these opportunities, here are the top four trends in the construction industry:

1. Preventative maintenance programs should be predictive maintenance strategies

The construction industry has long worked to keep heavy-duty machinery out of the shop and in the dirt. Many companies have come to the realization that preventative maintenance (PM) programs are essential to streamlining operations and maximizing time in the field.
 
Although considered a high priority for nearly any fleet, preventative maintenance programs still have room for improvement. Historically, PM programs were designed based on the static recommendations of OEMs. Today, newer technologies, like digital monitoring and more advanced lubricant formulations, offer operators the opportunity to develop predictive maintenance programs. This shift from guessing to knowing helps simplify maintenance schedules, extends active operation time and allows you to better plan out major component replacements without disrupting the jobsite. 
 
Predictive maintenance tools like Mobil℠ Lubricant Analysis leverage this technology to analyze oil quality and help detect problems before breakdowns occur — see how the analysis once helped a fleet save more than $185k.

2. The future of construction fleet maintenance is digital

Construction businesses have long stayed connected through technology, and now digital solutions are becoming more necessary as quickly as they become more sophisticated. 
 
Embracing this technology is how fleets are preparing for the demands of tomorrow. Much of this innovation comes from working closely with essential OEMs, like Komatsu and Caterpillar. Their capabilities offer a range of robust solutions, all aiming to improve data sharing and create smarterworkflows across the industry.  
 
However, one of the challenges that comes with upgrading your technology is ensuring that all information remains organized and consistent. Managing multiple platforms from various OEMs across different jobsites can be difficult, which is why forming strategic collaborations to unify your data and maintenance platforms is critical to truly future proofing your fleet. 

3. Fuel efficiency is key to success

Fuel is a major cost for any construction business, and more businesses than ever are prioritizing sustainability. Finding new ways to reduce fuel consumption can have a huge impact, and more industry players, like Cat and Volvo Construction Equipment, are rolling out fuel-efficient equipment and solutions. 
 
But improving fuel efficiency can be as easy as choosing the right high-performing lubricant—one that also delivers the dependable, day-in and day-out performance required to keep your equipment running under heavy loads. In fact, certain hydraulic fluids can improve fuel economy by several percentage points while protecting critical components from wear.    
 
For example, Mobil DTE™ 10 Excel hydraulic oil can potentially improve efficiency by up to six percent. And in hot climates, it can keep your hydraulics running cool, which improves efficiency, reduces fuel consumption and saves you money.  In cold climates, switching from a conventional, mineral based transmission oil to a high-quality synthetic, like the Mobil Delvac 1 Transmission Fluid Arctic, can help improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent. 
 
Choosing the right lubricant has other benefits as well: 

• Reduced waste: You can reduce oil waste by thousands of gallons with the right, high-performance lubricant. 
• Improved safety: Reliable lubricants keep your equipment running stronger and longer, meaning your crew will spend less time interacting with machinery for unplanned maintenance and repairs. 

4. Skilled labor is harder to find, and businesses need to make the most of their existing staff 

Nationwide labor shortages are making it harder for construction companies to grow. To keep operations running smoothly with a leaner crew, businesses must find ways to eliminate unnecessary downtime and streamline daily workflows.
 
Mobil Delvac™ services include staff training and product consolidation to simplify maintenance. Additionally, Mobil Delvac Modern 15W-40 Extended Performance™ engine oil can safely extend oil drain intervals.This reduces the burden of routine fluid changes, freeing your technicians to focus on more sophisticated tasks while trusting that the equipment will keep running.