Why are some construction industry players still failing to engage fairly and effectively with their supply chain? NCE went in search of an answer by bringing together leading designers, contractors and specialists for a special round table debate. In association with Mabey Hire
All construction projects are delivered by a series of companies who design, specify, supply, manufacture, manage and eventually construct a building or piece of infrastructure. All these companies make up the project’s supply chain and, according to construction improvement body, Constructing Excellence, they account for about 80% of the cost of the project. So it follows then that the success of a scheme is largely dictated by the effectiveness of this army of consultants, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers.
“We crave early contractor involvement because we have a lot to offer and a lot of [in-house] engineering capability to help find better solutions”
Steve Farmer, Mabey Hire
Despite the construction industry making great strides towards improving supply chain engagement in recent years (being more open about knowledge sharing, fair about payment mechanisms and working collaboratively) there are reports that the recession has incited the return of some ugly behaviour - the sort we all hoped were long gone - where ideas are stolen and payments are late.
With the UK economy now steadily edging its way out of recession and the supply chain embarking on a boom period, have some of these bad habits lingered? To answer this question and to understand the current climate for supply chain engagement, NCE partnered with temporary works equipment hire firm Mabey Hire to host a round table debate on 22 October in London. The event was attended by contractors, subcontractors and designers of different levels of seniority to attract the broadest views.