Field team using tablets, augmented reality overlays, drones, and laser scanners to coordinate constructible models and reduce rework.
Greeley, Colorado, August 22, 2025
Hensel Phelps is broadening its digital-construction capabilities across projects while enacting multiple executive leadership changes. The firm has standardized a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) program on every job, pairing BIM, drone operations, laser scanning, augmented reality, and cloud collaboration to reduce rework, improve safety, and boost field efficiency. A staffed VDC group supports project kickoff through construction with clash detection and constructible models accessible on tablets in the field. The company emphasizes hands-on, in-field training and practical technology use tied to measurable outcomes, including improved risk scores, reduced rework, and recognized safety and innovation performance.
Hensel Phelps announced a broad push to expand digital-construction workflows while making several executive changes that took effect on January 1, 2025. The company is intensifying the use of virtual design and construction (VDC) and augmented reality (AR) tools across projects, and moved key leaders into new roles as part of a wider organizational update.
The firm said it is scaling up its VDC and AR programs to reduce rework, improve safety, and speed decision making on the jobsite. At the same time, several senior executives shifted roles: a longtime executive became president and chief operating officer, another leader was promoted to executive vice president, regional leaders were reassigned, a new general manager for mission-critical solutions was named, and a senior executive retired after more than three decades of service.
The company is collecting BIM data on every project, regardless of client requirements, and has built a VDC team of about 95 people with roles ranging from senior VDC managers to BIM engineers. That team develops BIM execution plans at procurement and kickoff to set expectations and deliverables for every project.
Hensel Phelps uses cloud platforms such as Trimble Connect as a single source of field data and collaboration. For field visualization and AR, crews use powerful tablets and the Trimble SiteVision system to overlay models on the site, spot clashes, map demolition and utility work, and validate installed elements. The firm reported acquiring hundreds of SiteVision licenses and increasing Trimble Connect subscriptions as part of the roll-out.
Company VDC leaders emphasize technology that solves real problems rather than being used for its own sake. The approach focuses on field training, hands-on demonstrations, and regional sessions that give crews practical experience. VDC staff also handle clash detection, drone tasks, SiteVision setups, and laser scanning on site.
The firm has used AR on major projects to plan and perform work. On one hospital replacement project, AR helped map floor removal needs and track quality control throughout construction. At a major airport redevelopment, models were loaded to field tablets to visualize demolition and utility installation, with teams color-coding model elements for collaborative verification tied to safety checks.
Hensel Phelps links VDC and AR adoption to fewer errors and less rework, which helps lower accident risk and, in turn, has improved the company’s insurance risk scores. The firm has earned several safety awards, including national safety recognitions across multiple years and a grand prize in a 2025 national construction safety award program. The company also received a construction innovation award in 2024 for processes that connect data and improve transparency for stakeholders.
Effective January 1, 2025, the company promoted a long-serving executive to president and COO, who will lead execution of the strategic plan and oversee operations and corporate departments nationwide. An additional executive was named executive vice president and will manage multiple regions plus the water business and a specialized construction arm. The Rocky Mountain regional leadership was reassigned, and a general manager for mission-critical integrated solutions was appointed. A senior regional leader retired after more than 30 years with the company. The firm also added two new executive positions: chief administrative officer and chief health and safety officer.
Founded in 1937 in Greeley, Colorado, Hensel Phelps is an employee-owned general contractor that builds across sectors including aviation, healthcare and transportation infrastructure. The company implements VDC in some capacity on every project and fully leverages it on larger work. VDC language has been folded into operational protocols and the company emphasizes on-site VDC training for field, safety and quality teams.
Combining a robust VDC staff with cloud collaboration, AR visualization, and field training creates a workflow that shortens the path from design to construction. This lowers costs tied to rework, raises safety levels, and improves clarity for teams and clients. The leadership changes aim to align executive oversight with those operational priorities and support continued growth of digital workflows across regions and business units.
The company continues to secure roles on major projects and reported office moves and regional shifts in the near term. This news was summarized from a company announcement dated Jan. 8, 2025.
VDC stands for virtual design and construction. Hensel Phelps uses VDC for BIM coordination, clash detection, visual planning, and to create a digital model that guides construction. The firm applies VDC on all projects and fully on larger jobs.
AR overlays digital models on the real world to help crews visualize installations, check clearances, plan demolition, and perform quality control. Hensel Phelps uses AR tools like Trimble SiteVision on several projects to validate work and prepare for next steps.
The VDC department includes about 95 staff in roles such as senior VDC managers, VDC managers, lead VDC engineers, VDC engineers, and BIM engineers.
Several leadership changes were effective January 1, 2025, including a new president and COO, an executive vice president promotion, regional realignments, a mission-critical general manager appointment, and a senior retirement.
The company reports reduced rework, improved safety and better insurance risk scores tied to digital workflows. It has also received multiple safety awards and a construction innovation award in 2024 for its data processes.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| VDC Team Size | Approximately 95 staff covering BIM, coordination and site tech roles |
| BIM Policy | BIM data collected on every project regardless of client requirements |
| AR Tools | Trimble SiteVision used on multiple projects with hundreds of licenses |
| Cloud Platform | Trimble Connect used as central source of truth for field data |
| Project Management Software | Trimble ProjectSight for RFIs, daily logs, submittals, punchlists and drawings |
| Safety Impact | Reduced rework, improved risk scores and multiple national safety awards |
| Executive Moves | New president & COO, EVP promotions, regional shifts, new GM for MCIS, senior retirement (effective Jan. 1, 2025) |
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