At its Annual Conference on 12 December, Constructing Excellence is revealing a new strategy that aims to accelerate the digital and offsite revolution (including AI, factory production, BIM and open data) in the construction sector
Constructing Excellence co-chair Mark Farmer, author of the acclaimed Modernise or Die report, has long campaigned for a drastic sector shift to adopt more modern methods of construction to alleviate skills shortages, improve productivity and delivery, and greatly enhance the performance and quality of new homes and buildings.
Major industries, such as automotive, food processing and agriculture have all evolved over time and embraced new ways of working including supply chains, lean, and digital, however, construction is still adapting to these new ways of working. To drive the industry forward, Constructing Excellence is looking to work with leading edge organisations to address the sector’s urgent need to modernise.
The key objective for 2018, is the enabling of new delivery models to be adopted across the sector:
1. Increased standardisation and pre-manufactured content
2. Digitally enabled integrated teams working collaboratively with long-term relationships and aligned commercial arrangements
3. A client-led transformation by procuring for outcomes and long-term performance of assets.
Mark Farmer, co-chair of Constructing Excellence, commented: “We see 2018 as the year when Constructing Excellence shifts gear and turns words into action. Our goal is to positively disrupt industry delivery processes to transform performance throughout the sector.
“The agenda for change is clear, the necessity and drivers are well understood and now it is time for practical change in boardrooms and on projects, which is crucial if we’re to bring industry practices into the digital age and create a brighter future for the sector.”
One of the key drivers of attracting and engaging with young people in the industry is Constructing Excellence’s Generation for Change (G4C) network, which is at the forefront of the sector’s transformation to the digital age.
Commenting on the role of G4C in shaping the future of the industry, Robin Lapish G4C co-chair and Supply Chain Manager at HS2, commented: “As the only truly cross-industry, independent young professional movement, we exist to champion change and drive the transformation of our industry. Young people in this sector are the future, so we’re looking at laying the groundwork now to help build an industry that is world-leading – world-leading because it is collaborative, inclusive, sustainable and innovative; delivering excellence as a habit.”
Digitisation of the construction industry is the theme of the 2017 Constructing Excellence conference, ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution – Towards Industry 4.0’, taking place at the Tower of London on Tuesday 12 December.
Don Ward, Constructing Excellence CEO, will set out the movement’s renewed vision to enable new delivery models that improve performance.
Don added: “Our upcoming conference gives us a fantastic opportunity to set out our goals to members and the wider industry. We are all well-versed in the demand for new homes and it is clear that traditional brick and block methods simply cannot achieve the output required. Therefore, we want to identify and put into practice the modern methods of construction and standardisation that will significantly cut construction times, improve safety, quality, productivity and sustainability, are cost- effective and can match the volume required.
“We need to learn from other sectors and develop new delivery models and new skills that will see the next generation work from a platform that can take our industry even further forward.”
