WMCCE 2011: Collaboration and partnership essential for region’s construction firms
THE Government’s new drive to deliver 20% efficiency savings on all public sector building projects signals a new dawn for West Midlands’ construction businesses.
WMCCE’s executive director Phil Wilson says the best practice shown by winners of the WMCCE Awards 2011 needs to become standard practice.
The Government’s new construction strategy calls for a radical change in the relationship between public authorities and the construction industry in order to drive better value.
With public sector construction accounting for 40% of the annual £110bn spent on construction in the UK, this is a high priority for Government.
At the heart of this new approach is a move towards cost benchmarking and greater collaboration between clients and contractors.
It will also promote the need for integrated construction supply chains that link design more effectively with construction.
Over the next few years many West Midlands contractors will have to radically overhaul their businesses to deal with some of the technical challenges set out by the strategy.
I believe the region’s construction businesses are up to the challenge. This year’s WMCCE awards winners are proof of this.
Morgan Sindall, winner of this year’s integration and collaborative working award for its careful refurbishment of Worcester University’s campus, is an excellent example of what supply chain partnership can deliver.
The successful refurbishment of a Grade II listed building, a 1980s extension and construction of new reception hall, has delivered an exceptional building for the university.
Importantly though, it also demonstrates how a lead contractor can unlock innovation from its supply chain partners while being an honest and reliable construction partner that can nurture business growth.
The project is proof our industry has the ability to showcase true partnership which can cut costs while having a positive impact on the bottom line.
The challenge now is to ensure the best practice of these award-winning projects becomes the norm on construction sites across the region so it is seen as an exemplar to UK construction as a whole.
For more details about all of the WMCCE Awards 2011 winners, click through to download and read our full supplement.
