In May 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic deepened, Haskell and three other U.S. engineering and construction firms formed the NEXT Coalition, through which they would harness their collective safety and technology expertise and best practices to ensure the well-being of crews and office teams. 

With pilot programs already in place, the NEXT Coalition has been named Construction Dive’s Innovator of the Year as part of the magazine’s 2020 #DiveAwards. 

The honor, awarded each year by Construction Dive and its trade publications across myriad industries, affirms the vision of the NEXT Coalition founded by peer companies Haskell (through its innovation venture, Dysruptek), Black & Veatch, DPR Construction and McCarthy Building Companies. Swinerton, Truebeck Construction and Alabama Power have since joined the group, which from its outset has been committed to addressing the need for tools to help the industry adjust to the “next normal.”  

“These companies – top construction firms that are normally competitors – came together in the spirit of combatting the virus and fostering safety,” said Jenn Goodman, Construction Dive’s senior editor. “They worked together to develop solutions to help keep workers healthy and jobsites open.” 

As part of its Construction Safety Challenge, the coalition announced in September its selection of five pilot projects to protect crews against the coronavirus’ challenges. Those projects – chosen from 97 applications and products from 87 companies and startups that responded to a call for cutting-edge coronavirus solutions – include wearable technology for contact tracing and social distancing, digital pre-screening of workers and smart video monitoring for health and safety. Dozens of other potential products are being vetted by the coalition, and additional submissions are still welcome. 

“Since its launch months ago, our Construction Safety Challenge has been focused on pushing the envelope, finding innovations that help safeguard construction crews and team members during this unique, complex challenge, and the Construction Dive’s recognition validates that we’re making a difference,” the coalition said in a joint statement. “We proudly accept the award as additional motivation for us to continue our rapid, unified effort to search out new ways to enhance the safety of our workforce, our clients and our communities, now and in the future.” 

Expecting that future pandemics and other disruptions will test the resiliency of the nation’s infrastructure and construction environment, the NEXT Coalition intends to continue collaborating to leverage members’ safety expertise, share best practices, and search out and pilot new products and services.t and pilot new products and services.