Serving as an industry leader since the late 1930s, Owens Corning depends on precision and accuracy in construction cost estimating to help build and maintain their facilities around the world. Obtaining the correct figures for each project plays a key role in the company’s continued growth and success.

Learn more about how Claudio Crestale, Project Controls Cost Estimating Leader at Owens Corning, is using Gordian’s RSMeans Data Online to achieve the company’s expansion goals in a timely, on-budget manner.

Owens Corning is a Fortune 500 company and a leading manufacturer, specializing in fiberglass and building materials. Renowned for their innovative solutions, the organization has a superior reputation for enhancing sustainability and comfort in almost every kind of structure. With 19,000 employees across more than 30 countries, the company is a leader in providing advanced technologies for construction, focusing on insulation, roofing, composites and other related products.

A few years ago, Owens Corning recognized the need for a robust construction cost estimation software to help their capital planning group execute expansion, maintenance and refurbish projects across a global portfolio of 120 manufacturing sites. The team invested in a software solution promising to streamline their cost estimation processes. However, they also needed up-to-date cost data to ensure projects are financially feasible and to validate bid pricing.

Bulk material pricing for items like electrical wiring, piping and concrete make up a significant portion of each project’s total cost, necessitating frequent market price checks. The estimating team had to manually source pricing, which created extra work. The need for accurate and reliable pricing information motivated Claudio’s team to seek a more effective solution.

A pivotal moment arrived when they discovered Gordian’s RSMeans Data Online. With the software, Claudio’s team would gain access to accurate, up-to-date cost data trusted by the industry for over 80 years. For Claudio, what sets RSMeans Data apart is the ability to craft tailor-made responses to cost inquiries, localized to each project’s geographical market. The RSMeans Data Online Square Foot Estimator empowers him to respond to price inquiries within minutes, enabling stakeholders to make quick, informed decisions. This customization proves instrumental in navigating the diverse markets Owens Corning serves through their facilities.

Incorporating RSMeans Data Online into their workflow, Claudio and his team found an unexpected benefit — the software also serves as a powerful validation tool. It ensures estimates are reliable, bolstering their confidence in the numbers they present for approval. With many large projects, the ability to quickly validate costs in specific regions makes a big difference in getting projects approved and off the ground.

Having the responsibility of managing major facility maintenance, repairs and expansion projects each year, the accuracy of cost estimation and validation is of tremendous importance for Owens Corning. Claudio's work is a testament to the transformative potential of embracing RSMeans Data Online.

As Owens Corning continues to innovate in the building materials industry, Claudio continues to showcase the immense possibilities that lie in leveraging RSMeans Data Online for more efficient planning and estimating of construction projects.