For Re-flow, attending events like UK Construction Week 2024 (1-3 October) at the Birmingham NEC is an invaluable opportunity to digest and process the latest developments shaping the construction industry, and to gain key insights into current challenges and opportunities
Over three days of talks from leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers from across the built environment, various themes emerged.
To free up some time for those with busy workflows, here are some of the key takeaways, distilled into one useful article. So read on to stay ahead of the curve.
Digital transformation: The role of technology in shaping the future
A reoccurring message throughout UK Construction Week 2024 was the critical role of digital transformation in the future of construction.
In the panel Digital Transformation: How Tech Will Shape the Future of the Industry, Phillip Wilcox-Moore, managing director of Axter, set the tone with his opening statement, declaring that “the construction industry is a tech industry”.
As the industry grapples with modernising its processes, the thinking was thus: nothing less than robust data collection is key to successfully integrating AI and digital tools into construction workflows.
For construction companies, leveraging technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity. AI and machine learning, for example, require vast amounts of data to function effectively, and digital asset management will be vital to ensuring long-term building safety and accountability. Which leads us neatly on to…
Data: The new oil of construction
The Data-Driven Digital Blueprint talk, given by David Gawley of Pentagon Solutions, highlighted how data, rather than traditional resources, is now the most valuable asset in construction.
He pointed out that collecting and accessing the right data can drastically improve productivity on-site. In one example, accessing asset information used to take 45 minutes – now, through improved digital systems, it can be retrieved instantly.
For leaders in construction, this highlights a crucial consideration: efficiency gains and compliance come not from cutting corners but from smart data management.
Addressing workforce shortages and diversity challenges
One of the industry’s major pain points – worker shortages – was addressed in the session on Gender Balance in Construction.
Women only represent 14-18% of the construction workforce and increasing gender diversity was discussed as a potential solution to alleviate the skills shortage.
Rebecca Herald, one of the speakers, suggested that more women in the workplace could also contribute to breaking the toxic masculinity often found in construction, which could help improve mental health within the industry.
The mental health crisis in construction was underscored in Mates in Mind, where speakers pointed out that poor communication between hierarchical levels in companies exacerbates feelings of loneliness and mental health struggles.
Regulation and homebuilding: Meeting government targets
The UK government’s ambitious target of building 1.5m homes over the next five years, discussed in UK Construction Industry Outlook, presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
Currently, the industry produces around 140,000 homes per year, meaning a dramatic scale-up is necessary.
However, speakers such as Nick Smallwood noted that SMEs are critical to meeting these targets, and that supporting them would have a secondary benefit too: SMEs also bring in a significant number of apprentices, which would help tackle the skills gap.
But it’s not just about volume; the regulatory landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with more regulations introduced in the past three years than in the previous 30. Compliance is now a non-negotiable part of any construction business, and keeping up with the demands of transparency, accountability and safety is crucial.
How Re-flow Fits into the future of construction
For further insights and figures on the state of construction, view the full 2024 report.
Across all the key themes discussed at UKCW 2024 – digital transformation, data management, workforce challenges and compliance – the need for streamlined, intelligent solutions was clear. Re-flow’s field management software fits into this evolving landscape by providing a robust platform that allows companies to:
• Gain real-time visibility of job progress
Re-flow helps managers keep track of job progress via mandatory form filling and job-completion photos. It also provides a database of worker holidays and qualifications, and the live status of equipment, vehicles and plant, all in one place. This helps companies reduce the risk of miscommunication and ensures projects stay on track.
• Automate compliance tasks
Operatives have tight windows for their work. They’re under pressure, and repetitive tasks like form filling can take a back seat. Re-flow’s digital forms can be configured to meet a company’s specific requirements with presets and drop-down lists making them quick to complete. Mandatory form submissions and safety checks can be easily integrated into daily workflows, raising standards.
• Streamline operations
Centralised data management makes everything more efficient – from quoting and scheduling to billing. A single-source database makes it easy for businesses to keep track of assets, workers and projects. The new BoQ, part of the Big Autumn Update, completely replaces any standalone system companies might be using. It blows rivals out of the water with its intuitive, simple interface.
At the core, Re-flow is about creating a future where construction businesses can operate more effectively, using the latest digital tools to meet their goals while remaining agile, compliant and forward-thinking.
As the industry continues to evolve, those who embrace these changes and harness the power of technology will be best placed to succeed.
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
