Honors industry leaders that are advancing innovation, collaboration and operational excellence across construction, and educators training the next generation of construction talent
WESTMINSTER, Colo., Nov. 4, 2026 — Trimble today announced winners of the annual Trimble Construction Innovation Awards, honoring North American industry trailblazers leveraging advanced Trimble hardware and software. Awards were presented in four construction categories and given to two educators shaping the next generation of industry talent through education and advocacy.
“The 2026 award winners showcase the transformative power of Trimble technology and their ingenuity in deploying it to advance our industry,” said Mark Schwartz, group president of AECO software at Trimble. "From discovering millimeter-scale discrepancies before steel hits the site, to achieving real-time, data-driven collaboration between the field and the office, these innovators demonstrate real-world opportunities to improve processes, connect workflows and empower people.”
All companies using Trimble technology for architecture, engineering and construction projects in North America were eligible to submit applications for the Trimble Construction Innovation Awards. The awards program was also expanded to include a new outstanding educator category, recognizing K-12 and higher education teachers preparing the next generation of industry leaders through innovative technology integration and career advocacy. Winners received a complimentary pass to Trimble Dimensions, being held November 9-11, 2026 in Las Vegas.
Summaries from 2026 Trimble Construction Innovation Award Winners:
Connected ecosystem – F+F Mechanical, North Haven, Connecticut
For complex MEP installations, F+F Mechanical relies on a connected Trimble ecosystem to create a continuous flow of information. By linking estimating, project management, modeling, fabrication and field operations through shared data and real-time feedback, the company resolves issues before fabrication starts, improves installation accuracy and reduces manual measurements and rework. The increased visibility and collaboration across departments has contributed to a 10–30% increase in overall productivity on projects.
Process transformation – Wade Trim, Detroit, Michigan
Wade Trim transformed its survey and data management workflow to support a $550 million, 55-mile natural gas pipeline. Trimble Access, Trimble Connect, and a cellular-connected Global Navigation Satellite System base-station network linked field data, current construction plans, design revisions, and office processing. This connected workflow kept survey crews, engineers, and the client’s geographic information system team working from current information throughout construction, closeout, and restoration. Wade Trim completed its surveying scope 10% under budget while improving data management efficiency by 25% and reducing survey rework by 20%.
Project success – Land to Sand Site Services, Currituck, North Carolina
Using Trimble scanning and 3D modeling technology at the site of a complex drawbridge replacement in Virginia and the site of the steel fabrication in Canada, Land to Sand identified a critical 3/16-inch dimensional discrepancy in components during fabrication. The finding enabled adjustment of supporting concrete geometry before installation, ensuring components fit successfully and avoiding rework and an estimated eight-month delay. Capturing reality early, comparing it against design intent, communicating the difference and acting while a correction is still manageable has now been scaled to additional projects.
Workforce achievement – HEI Civil, Castle Rock, Colorado
HEI Civil data and automation director Ashley Rivera designed and built an integrated applicant tracking system with Trimble Spectrum to streamline hiring and onboarding across four entities and three states. The transformation reduced processing time from 1–2 hours to 15–30 minutes per employee, saving approximately 1,125 staff hours and $35,000 in labor costs annually. Trimble financial management capabilities also allowed HEI to automate its vendor lien release workflow. Processing time dropped from 16 hours to 2 hours per lien (88%), and 14 hours of skilled accounting time per lien are now reassigned to more valuable work.
Outstanding educator, K-12 – Abiola Akanmu, Virginia Tech
Abiola Akanmu, a Virginia Tech construction professor, uses the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens to create an immersive virtual construction-site experience that introduces K–12 students to technology-enabled construction careers. Through simulated scenarios and interactive tech demonstrations — like laser scanners and drones — the program introduces students to modern construction careers virtually. Since 2023, the initiative has reached thousands of students across multiple regional outreach events.
Outstanding educator, higher education – Abiola Akanmu, Virginia Tech (Co-winner)
As a Virginia Tech professor, Abiola Akanmu also integrates the Trimble X7 scanner, RealWorks and Trimble XR10 HoloLens into her construction curriculum to train students in real-world data capture and analysis. Through hands-on coursework, students process point-cloud data for volume calculations and site condition assessments while using mixed reality to explore virtual jobsite operations. This connected learning experience bridges classroom instruction with industry research and university outreach, including scanning the historic Norfolk & Western 611 locomotive to investigate clearance concerns.
Outstanding educator, higher education – Jon Elliott, Colorado State University (Co-winner)
Colorado State University associate professor Jon Elliott uses Trimble X7 and X9 laser scanners, FieldLink, RealWorks and SketchUp to teach students practical Scan-to-BIM workflows. Through hands-on graduate and undergraduate coursework, students capture jobsite data, verify field installations, and perform quality control in direct collaboration with industry partners. The curriculum directly connects advanced geospatial technology with real-world problem-solving, equipping students to deliver industry-ready construction solutions.
Runners-up:
Trimble also recognized three additional companies as runners-up in this year’s awards program. They include Plateau Excavation, DBM Vircon and American Excavating.
All companies using Trimble technology for architecture, engineering and construction projects in North America were eligible to submit applications for the Construction Innovation Awards. Winners were selected by a panel of Trimble judges, trade media journalists and past award-winning companies.
About Trimble
Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it's helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble, visit: www.trimble.com.
