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CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | WWW.CONSTRUCTION-MANAGER.CO.UK
ROAD SAFETY SURVEY: RESULTS
MOTHER NATURE’S GUIDE TO FACADES
CPD: ARCHAEOLOGY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES
INSIDE: CONTACT NEWSLETTER
FOR MEMBERS OF THE CIOB
SEPTEMBER 2014
WWW.CONSTRUCTION-MANAGER.CO.UK
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
In the loop
Is construction ready to re-use and
recycle its way to a circular economy?
VISIT M
BS.CO
CIO JO E THE
B
WH ER
ATES
ANDID
Without BIM, BEST C HE BEST
FIND T ES
ROL
your projects
could be in
trouble. And Agenda sept 14
so could your News and views
business. 04 CIOB targets new wave of MPs
Institute to launch its guide to the
industry at party conference fringe
events this autumn.
06 CLOCS raises stakes in road safety
Campaign launches software to
allow contractors to record
accidents and near misses.
08 Clients are king
New CIOB vice president Paul Nash
says the industry should be re-
thinking its offer to clients
10 Leader
40
MPs often reach for construction
cliches — the new CIOB Guide to
the Built Environment should give
them an alternative view.
11 Feedback
24
Letters; and readers give their
opinions on Carillion/Balfour. Construction professional
13 Comment 32 On cloud nine
Wates Group’s Rachel Woolliscroft on Consultant Rider Levett Bucknall
enabling social change. moved its operations to the cloud
— and hasn’t looked back.
Features 32 BIM bytes
VIEWPOINT CAN HELP. 16 Cover Story The world keeps
turning 33
Introducing BIM late to a project.
Beware the overtrading trap
The UK government has mandated The idea of a re-cycling, circular
Photograph: © EYESITE / Alamy
Peter Vinden warns against taking
that all public sector contracts to economy is slowly catching on. But on too much work and wrecking
utilise BIM by 2016 - so if you’re can it really work in construction? the balance sheet.
considering BIM, now is the time. 24 Survey: Safe on our Streets 34 The rules of attraction
4Projects® by Viewpoint with 4BIM is The results of our online survey 10 tips for attracting and
on the industry’s awareness of retaining staff.
a collaborative software solution for
lorry safety and road risk. 36 Enigma variations
building, infrastructure and energy.
40 Pushing the envelope Michael Sergeant of Holman
4BIM makes it easy for clients, CM looks at three innovations that Fenwick Willan on the legal
contractors, consultants and their full harness the natural environment to minefield of variations.
supply chain to manage and control change our buildings. 38 Out of site, out of mind
their collaborative BIM requirements 46 CPD: Archaeology and Why lack of reporting of incidents
without expensive IT infrastructure or construction projects off site is hampering the industry’s
licenses - saving time and money. How to ensure your project doesn’t efforts at improving road safety.
come unstuck if historical remains
See this and all our construction are found on your site. + Contact
66 Project of the month 52-63
software solutions at
Pirbright laboratory, Surrey by Australian university team wins
info.4projects.com/cm4projects
Shepherd Construction. CIOB’s Global Student Challenge
CM’s website has a new CPD
portal, for modules from the
4Projects.com +44 (0) 845 330 9007 #viewpointcanhelp magazine and additional
46
study topics. Register at
www.construction-
© 2014 Viewpoint, Inc. dba Viewpoint Construction Software.
manager.co.uk/cpd/
All Rights Reserved. Coverillustration: Nick Lowndes
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 3
News News
CIOB eyes next wave of MPs with industry guide the industry to other national agendas,
such as boosting economic productivity
and well-being through building efficient
‘Planning for the next 50 years’
Briefing document will be sent to MPs and prospective candidates before party conferences workplaces, good schools and high-quality The CIOB Guide to the Built Environment and the over-heating south east to the major cities of
housing; the industry’s contribution to the accompanying report, The Real Face of the north, with the accompanying report containing
The CIOB is preparing to launch a new campaign mitigating climate change and its appetite Construction, aim to present a more nuanced “recommendations for placing construction front
to inform the next intake of MPs about the for highly-skilled, digitally savvy portrait of the industry than the one often and centre of a rebalanced economy”.
changing face of the modern construction professionals. presented to the generalist audience: that It also takes up the government’s Construction
industry — high-tech, value-creating and home to Blythe commented: “We’re saying, in construction is a labour-intensive industry 2025 agenda — the
high numbers of skilled, educated professionals. . backing construction, you’re backing an whose chief role in supporting the wider economy CIOB and others
It has produced a new CIOB Guide to the Built innovative, high-tech industry that is to provide an infinite number of jobs for the are assuming
Environment, a briefing document that will be employs the best minds the country low-skilled. that any future TYNE BRIDGE | NEWCASTLE
BEETHAM TOWER | MANCHESTER
sent to all MPs and Prospective Parliamentary produces. We’re not the industry you go to Instead, it spotlights the role of technology, Labour government
BULLRING | BIRMINGHAM
NORWICH CATHEDRAL | NORWICH
GHERKIN | LONDON
PIERHEAD BUILDING | CARDIFF
Candidates to give them a better understanding if you can’t find work elsewhere — I can BIM and offsite construction, and the knock-on would also back its THE EDEN PROJECT | CORNWALL
TITANIC MUSEUM | BELFAST
SECC | GLASGOW
of an industry significantly impacted by policy think of other candidates for that!” implications for the skills and higher education challenging targets —
decisions made in Westminster. Rather than targeting specific goals, agendas. As the guide argues, “to create a steady and calls for ongoing
The guide will also be supported by a specially- the CIOB’s aim is to build engagement pipeline of training, innovation and investment, support for the role
commissioned report, The Real Face of with a new generation of MPs to seek stable long term policies are essential”. of Chief Construction CIOB GUIDE CONSTRUCTION:
TO THE BUILT ARE YOU IN IT FOR
Construction, which looks at the economic impact dividends over the long term. “MPs need And rather than highlighting an impending Adviser.
THE LONG TERM?
Photograph: © Derek Croucher/Alamy
ENVIRONMENT
of the industry. It will be launched at the Labour to have an understanding of the industry “skills shortage”, the guide addresses the need The guide says
conference in Manchester in September, and then within their constituencies,” added Blythe. to promote innovation to boost productivity. that construction is a
disseminated via a dedicated website. “We’re raising the profile of the industry “If the industry keeps doing things the same way, “local, national and international story” and
Every MP and PPC will also be sent a hard copy and of construction management, and we will just end up with the same problems,” also stresses the long-range nature of CIOB
of the guide a week before the three main party looking to influence people at the right Chris Blythe told CM. members’ activities, pointing out that “we’re not
conferences. time. The guide argues for policies that spread the just looking at the next five years, we’re planning
CIOB chief executive Chris Blythe and head of “It’s about developing a ‘fan base’ at benefits of construction and infrastructure beyond for the next 50”.
policy Eddie Tuttle explained that the guide aims The CIOB is targeting the local level, that we can then plug into, so
to spotlight the role of construction managers
and innovative practices in an industry that’s
next intake of MPs with its
new construction guide
we can then move to raise our profile and
influence people who understand the
1 The guide highlights how
the quality of the built
often over-simplistically viewed in terms of the AN INTRODUCTION
issues. It’s the ideal opportunity to
environment affects
every member of society,
numbers it employs. “It’s about tweaking interest, and we’re already develop our profile with people who are influencing the productivity
Its other main thrust is to highlight its impact “We’re raising the finding that people are coming back to us for potential MPs.” The quality of our built environment “Construction is a powerful
and well-being of the whole
population
throughout the regions, with every MP and PPC profile of the more information. It means they’re developing an He also added that affects
construction’s well-
every member of society. industry – mistakes leave deep 13% OF GDP £45bn ANNUAL GOVERNMENT SPEND
being informed about the size and economic industry and of interest, which is great news,” he said. meaning efforts to beItainfluences
“goodproductivity
neighbour”
wellbeing at home and at work.
and scars, but successes breed
success. In the recent past,
impact of the industry in their region. Boosting construction The guide does not promote any specific has led to the trend ofPROJECTS
camouflaging sites the industry has worked 2.9M JOBS
management, and
LAST LONGER
the economic performance of the regions and industry-boosting policies, a move away from the behind impenetrable hoardings.
THAN GOVERNMENTS
“We’ve hard to rethink its social,
looking to influence
Major projects such as Crossrail, the Olympic economic and environmental 10% OF TOTAL
giving Local Economic Partnerships more clout is “shopping list” style of manifesto traditionally hidden what we do — these
Park, nuclear days, you no
UK EMPLOYMENT
power stations or HS2 last
responsibilities and reshape
people at the
longer than a five-year Government term.
currently a policy priority for all the main parties. published by professional institutions and trade longer even get peep Houses,
holes in site its role as an employer.”
4
hospitals and schools are used
for generations.
Letters have already been sent to a smaller right time” organisations such as the UK Contractors Group hoardings. Buildings disappear as if by
CHRIS BLYTHE
2008
100
Mistakes can be costly and felt by
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Chris Blythe, chief
communities for decades. If we are to
group of MPs and PPCs in marginal seats, and or Federation of Master Builders. magic. So we want to create
make them a need
place
high quality, smarter, more flexible,
LEADING
BILL
£100bn OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN
ION
energy efficient buildings we to get
executive, CIOB
Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Archive/Press Association Images
ON SKILLS
it right first time.
Blythe said the results were already promising. Instead, it sets out the strategic importance of that people think about a bit more.”
CIOB represents leaders and managers INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO 2020
who work at every stage of the lifecycle of
Institute jostles with other bodies to make its voice heard
280, 000
a construction project; the visionaries who
shape our towns, cities and infrastructure. Innovative technologies are THE CHALLENGE
We’re not just looking at the next five years:
we’re planning for the next fifty. transforming the construction sector, 4 19% of the construction workforce is set
to retire within the next 5 to 10 years
revolutionising daily tasks on site and 4 Enrolment on undergraduate construction
CIOB: CONSTRUCTIVE in the office. Companies increasingly 2014 43%
In a first for the CIOB, which has previously House building is expected to be an issue accounts for roughly 10%DIALOGUE
of theSTARTSoutput,
HERE
degrees has reduced by 43% since 2008
need to recruit a new breed of worker, 4 The number of apprenticeships in the
limited its pre-election lobbying to joint addressed by many other voices within the and 90% of the discussion.” strong in digital and data management sector is declining – currently 33% lower
COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTIONthan in 2010
INDUSTRY
efforts with the Construction Industry industry: the National Federation of Builders The CIOB’s Guide to the Built skills and able to collaborate across 4 And yet there are 182,000 construction 19% RETIRING WITHIN UNDERGRADUATE ENROLMENT
several technical disciplines. jobs to be filled by 2018 THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS HAS REDUCED BY 43% SINCE 2008
Council, it will launch the guide at three fringe and the National Housebuilding Council, for Environment will be jostling for Construction’s rapidly modernising image
events to be held at the main parties’ autumn example, are staging joint panel debates at attention with publications from 3 CIOB GUIDE TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
presents a powerful opportunity to attract
a more diverse workforce, bringing in
TALK TO US ABOUT
CIOB GUIDE TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
4 Why the professional role of Chartered 4
expertise from other industries. But many 2010 2014
conferences: Labour in Manchester, the both the Labour and Conservative conferences the RIBA, ICE and other industry workers left the sector during the recession
Construction Manager is essential for
modernising both construction itself and
Conservatives in Birmingham and the Liberal as part of the wider “Homes for Britain” institutions. The RIBA’s report Building
and the skills gap is widening. An ongoing
lack of home grown talent will put UK
academia, ensuring appropriately skilled 33%
people enter the industry
companies at a disadvantage to international Construction is
Democrats in Glasgow. campaign. Other signatories include the Better Britain: A Vision for the Next competitors, both at home and abroad.
A critical shortage of skilled workers could
4 CIOB’s work on youth unemployment
presented
and apprenticeships. Ouras a modern,
practical
At each event, additional speakers will RIBA, RICS, Federation of Master Builders and Government calls for “an end to cheap
also slow down projects that are important recommendations were included in
for economic recovery. high-tech
the Parliamentary industry
report No More Lost
that published
Generations, needsFebruary
to recruit
2014
also be invited to give a rounded view of the contractors Wates and Mears Group. schools, reform of the green belt 4 Howworkers with
public procurement digital
policy can be
used to create effective training courses
industry. But the CIOB is hoping to widen MPs’ and and liberation of under-performing and
for local data skills and
communities
also expertise in other
“In the past the construction management PPCs’ focus beyond the housing issue. “Of the English cities”. APPRENTICESHIPS FALLEN
industries. 182,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS
message has got a bit lost, this time round, 20 or so responses we’ve had so far from PPCs, Meanwhile, the ICE’s pre-election TO BE FILLED BY 2018 BY 33% FROM 2010
it’s about the CIOB presenting distinctive not one has mentioned housing,” Tuttle said. The CIOB is launching its guide at three fringe events at the
manifesto will be based on its State of
messages,” head of policy Eddie Tuttle told CM. Chris Blythe added: “House building main parties’ autumn conferences the Nation, Infrastructure 2014 report.
9 CIOB GUIDE TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT CIOB GUIDE TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 10
4 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 5
News
YOU’VE News
CLOCS raises the stakes in road safety tracking THOUGHT
Free CLOCS Manager service will allow contractors to log accidents and near misses
The Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety
[CLOCS] campaign to squeeze risk factors out
been injuries, the police will capture the data via
STATS19 accident reporting, people will also
ABOUT THE
BUILDING...
of construction’s road transport operations will report to their insurance companies, and
this month launch a free web-based software companies will have their own internal systems,
system to allow construction companies to but they are all different. With the CLOCS
track road safety and compare their performance Manager system, you can input the information,
with peers. then see how your data compares with
The new CLOCS Manager system will be anonymised averages for the other industry
available free to any company that requests users.”
details via the CLOCS website. Eames stresses that the system is not simply a
Contractors will be able to upload details of any database, but will offer users intelligence and
accidents related to their fleets, or the type of insight on reducing risks. “We can collate all of the
“near misses” routinely recorded on construction incident data everywhere, which means we will
sites. Drivers will fill in an online form, either at be able to put alerts out — for example, if a
the side of the road if there’s been an accident, or specific junction is proving dangerous, we can tell
back at base if it was a near miss. people using CLOCS Manager to avoid it. So the
Contractors will be able to see their own data, point is not just to log the incidents, but to learn
FE
SA
and how it compares with anonymised, pooled from them, right across the country — it’s a
data from other users. learning instrument.”
O
Mike Eames, a spokesman for CLOCS, told CM: The CLOCS campaign currently has 40
N OU
TS
“CLOCS Manager enables people to collate “champions”, including Mace, Skanska, Lend
collision and near miss data. If we want people to Lease and Vinci, which commit to embed
EE
take road risk seriously, as seriously as on-site challenging safety standards across their supply
...WHAT ABOUT THE SITE HOARDING?
R
accidents, then we need similar levels of STR chains nationally. Its requirements cover traffic
recording and logging of incidents and near routing, accident reporting, driver training and
misses. I hope that CLOCS Manager will be widely fitting safety measures to eliminate vehicles’
adopted across the construction industry and blind spots.
become the industry standard tool for collision CLOCS is now also aligned with the silver
reporting — you don’t have to be a CLOCS “If we want people to take road risk standard Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme
Champion to use the software.” seriously, as seriously as on-site (FORS), so that any truck or HGV with FORS silver
CLOCS hopes to improve transparency on the accidents, then we need similar accreditation will meet the standards applying at
industry’s road safety record, Eames added. “In levels of recording and logging of sites run by Mace or other CLOCS champions.
construction some people are reporting and some incidents and near misses” The CLOCS scheme is project managed by
aren’t, although they should do. Where there have Mike Eames, CLOCS Aecom on behalf of Transport for London. Pre-coated OSB site hoarding panel, designed to save time and money. The heavy-duty, exterior quality,
cross-linked polymer surface coating is ready to paint in a colour of your choice for long lasting looks
Costain steps up battle against respirable silica dust on site with no delamination.
Use with confidence, FSC® Certified, CE Marked and EUTR compliant with no tropical hardwoods
Costain is launching new guidance on launched on 1 September. be encouraging the use of vacuum cleaners.
preventing and controlling exposure to silica The first theme is dust extraction, ensuring If brooms have to be used, then the material
used in manufacture.
dust on its construction sites. that power tools are fitted with a local exhaust should be damped down first.”
The move follows an HSE blitz on small sites ventilation system, to prevent dust getting Health champions on each site will work
Don’t let your project image be damaged by poor quality hoarding –
that found high levels of non-compliance with into the atmosphere in the first place. with Costain advisers to get the anti-dust specify SmartPly SiteProtect.
current guidance, as well as a campaign in Veronica Robins, health and well-being message across to the workforce.
Hazards magazine calling on the HSE to halve manager, said: “Secondly, we will be The UK and US currently share the same Contact us today for more information or a free sample.
the allowable limit in the UK in line with a limit reinforcing the requirement for all workers 0.1mg per cubic metre workplace exposure
proposed by US regulators. wearing tight fitting protective masks to be standard for respirable crystalline silica, but
Tel: 01322 424900 Email: info@coillte.com Web: smartply.com
Inhaling silica dust while drilling or cutting ‘face fit tested’, which is a means of assessing the US regulator, the Occupational Safety and
products such as concrete or mortar can how well a mask seal to a face. [Male] workers Health Administration [OSHA], says that this
lead to lung diseases including silicosis, an need to be clean shaven in order to get a good standard is over four decades old, and has
inflammation and scarring of the lungs. seal and avoid leaks.” proposed reducing it to 0.05mg per m3.
Dust builds up gradually in the lung over The third strategy is called “lose the broom”. But according to Hazards, the HSE says that
time, leading to life-changing or fatal damage. Robins explained: “Dry sweeping creates huge technological limitations make monitoring
Costain’s new three-part guidance will be amounts of dust, particularly indoors. We will below current exposure standards difficult.
6 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 7
experts in water
CIOB News
Chris Blythe Innovation #7
Action not words will
Sustainability –
solve housing crisis
Henry Ford once said
“you cannot build a
reputation on what you are
Paul Nash: let's focus on clients going to do”. That is so true, especially
when it comes to politicians, who
it’s at the core
expect us to believe that what they are
New CIOB vice-president says construction cannot be 'an end in itself' going to do is more relevant than what E X P E R T S I N W AT E R
they have done.
As we begin the long slog to the
Paul Nash FCIOB, the Institute's new finance may come from China." general election on 5 May 2015, the
vice president and a director of Turner & Nash's 32-year career began when he news will be full of great intentions as a
of our business
Townsend, has promised to bring a “client's joined contractor Fairclough at 18 as an substitute for action. Times are very
perspective” to the CIOB, acknowledging indentured management trainee. While difficult at the moment, not just at
their need for new approaches and new working for contractor HBG, which was later home, but in other parts of the world, be
thinking in a fast-changing world. acquired by BAM, he was then encouraged it the Ukraine, Iraq or West Africa where
the Ebola crisis is set to explode.
He draws this world view from his role to take a masters degree in project
Tackling these issues requires strong
as a T&T director in the London office management. leadership and positive actions and at
specialising in the commercial developer Paul Nash FCIOB says Already a CIOB Trustee, Nash was the moment the response has been
the industry should do
and corporate occupier sector, devising new more to put the client inaugurated as vice-president at the Annual more about not making any waves lest
ways of packaging the firm's services to centre stage General Meeting in Qatar. He will serve as the electorate is upset.
offer clients the outcomes they need. president from June 2016, following the Not upsetting the electorate also We developed Recycore® technology to credentials. Sustainability has always been
“I come to the role with a slightly different 2015/16 presidency of Chris Chivers FCIOB. seems to be guiding domestic policy. increase the use of recycled materials an important business driver for Wavin.
The latest announcement by the
perspective, I spend a lot of time with clients, From his client-focused view, Nash also believes in our products. The unique Recycore® Our 60 year old roots are embedded
government that it intends to pump
providing independent professional advice,” Nash told that the industry needs to provide more reliable data
£200m into brownfield sites to avoid
technology is used in the manufacture of in sustainable solution development
CM. “So I'm passionate about the way the industry and evidence on the benefits of BIM, particularly development of the countryside plays our multi-layer, solid-core pipes. reinforcing our position as a global leader
engages with clients, and how well we as an industry as it's arriving in an industry where cultures and well with rural voters, but fails to in the supply of plastic pipe systems and
The result is the only, award winning,
understand what clients want. As the saying goes, practices were established decades ago. address the issue that the rural innovative solutions for projects great and
drainage system to include over 50%
we might be selling drill bits, when they want holes. "BIM has the potential to completely change the economy is short of low-cost housing. small – worldwide.
recycled content for a lower carbon
"There's a tendency to see what we do as an end way we deliver projects and work as teams, but Under the scheme, councils will be
given the chance to bid to set up 10 footprint and improved sustainability
in itself, rather than a means to an end. It's about where's the evidence? I think it's right to ask these
new housing zones in urban areas
engaging with clients, and feeding that back into the questions, and say to the industry, 'we can't assume
across the UK and the local authorities
education process — at the moment there's quite a the benefits of BIM are self-evident'. If I'm sitting will have to commit to building between
To find out more about our industry leading innovations, visit
technical emphasis.”
He also believes the industry needs to respond to
with a client who's got to invest quite a lot, then
at the moment we don't have very much data or
750 and 2,000 new homes.
Overall, that means at best 20,000
www.expertswithwater.com
the underlying shifts taking place in our globalised evidence to call on." new homes and at the worst only 7,500.
economy, where finance, products and personnel are Nash also backed the CIOB's current initiative I suppose it is not to be sniffed at but it
increasingly drawn from outside the UK. to engage more closely with MPs and Prospective is hardly ambitious.
I have recently returned from Hong
“The danger is that we don't recognise that the Parliamentary Candidates (pages 4-5).
Kong where we had the final of the
world has changed and the way people work and “It's important that we become more engaged, and
CIOB Global Student Challenge. We
the nature of employment has changed. We've got have more of a voice at government level to inform visited the redevelopment of the former
a number of traditional solutions that will need to that policy making. Sometimes, I think we have more Kai Tak Airport, a brownfield site that
be adapted because the world is changing. Your success at that overseas, for instance in Qatar. We has been set aside for low cost housing.
materials may come from overseas, your project need to become the body that government wants to The four blocks we visited housed
manager may well come from India, and your project engage with on policy issues.” the equivalent of the population of
Stratford-upon-Avon, more than 32,000
people. That’s ambition, and the plan is
to do it twice over on the remaining site.
Finalists set for CMYA showdown Compared with London, these homes
are lived in, they are connected to the
excellent public transport system and
Ninety-five individuals who masterminded the construction managers in the final, while Kier and are geared to creating a community.
construction of some of the most iconic buildings Balfour Beatty will be represented by four each. Perhaps we should return to high
of recent years will compete for the prestigious Chris Richards, chair of the CMYA judging density living spaces and enable us to
maximise the number of people who
gold and silver Construction Manager of the Year panel, told CM: "The exceptional high standard
can live in these spaces. There is
Awards at this year’s grand final in October. [of previous years] was maintained; the judges
nothing fundamentally wrong with
All the finalists were first nominated by their recognised that all the projects were commenced high-rise, high-density living. Judging by
clients, then interviewed at their sites by a panel and completed within this recession, which the number of high end towers going up
of expert judges. brought out additional management qualities that in London, it works for the rich so why
Willmott Dixon, Mace and Bouygues are sending they had to demonstrate in order to overcome not for the poor?
the highest number of finalists to this year’s CMYA associated problems." It might simply be a case of building
final. Willmott Dixon is celebrating 12 finalists, He added that 10% of this year's entries had to a better standard than the 1960s
high rises, but also better education and
Mace seven, and Bouygues six. come from Scotland, while six contractors had
preparation for living in such spaces. Tel: 0844 856 5152 | Email: info@wavin.co.uk | @wavinuk
Meanwhile, BAM, ISG and Wates will all have five entered for the first time.
8 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Views
Vox pop
What would a Balfour Beatty and Carillion deal
mean for the industry?
MPs need a guide to Feedback Nick Charlton
Independent commercial
shouldn't the SMEs get the work directly?
In my experience, the largest contractors
policy, not platitudes
property consultant don't build anything themselves, they
For Balfour Beatty it is a only manage the construction process.
missed opportunity if the A merger would also damage
merger doesn't go ahead. In the current competition within the supply chain, the
market there is likely to be more merger big boys all tend to draw on a limited pool
A match made
and acquisition activity and if Balfour of specialist subcontractors as well as in heaven, or a Gerard Graham MCIOB
doesn't team up with Carillion, then using the same cost consultants to dangerous move for Procurement manager,
someone else will. Carillion is clearly prepare tender documentation. Ever construction? Wilson Construction
SPARE A THOUGHT, if you will, for our mechanisms and a sense that part of the No brick crisis? Try ordering one looking for a partner. since the cover pricing scandal emerged, I have no objection to a
hard-pressed MPs and parliamentary industry's raison d'etre is to provide a high Deian Hopkin, via website Balfour's half-year pre-tax profit there has been the lingering suspicion merger — we live in a free
candidates. They've entered politics for volume of jobs in traditional craft skills. Whether it is perceived or not and despite dropped 53% to £22m, so it obviously there is lack of genuine competition in enterprise economy and if two of the UK's
any number of reasons: perhaps their The new CIOB Guide to the Built statistics being bandied about, I would needs a more profitable business and you the marketplace and this would only largest contractors want to merge they
starting point was ideological, or rooted in Environment offers a correction to some suggest that Francis Noble actually tries have to ask how are they going to turn it worsen the situation. should be able to do so, just as small
local issues, or it catalysed around the of these embedded views, presenting to procure some bricks (Is there a brick around? It would be preferable if these contractors are able to. This is the
NHS or social justice. But in their pre- our industry in a more updated light. It's a crisis, or isn't there? Online, 22 July). two UK firms joined forces rather than Rob Simmons advantage of running private sector
election hustings and post-election worthwhile project that should hopefully I work for a major construction company Balfour Beatty being picked up by a major Director, Fensec Fencing & Security, Devon business in the UK.
surgeries, they need to have a line on any initiate, then develop, conversations and we are looking at bricks a year away European or US firm. A possible merger would be a mixed The creation of a “super contractor”
number of complex issues beyond their between the CIOB and our elected and are redesigning buildings because of The biggest issue seems to be blessing. It might bring more stability to could also be a benefit to the UK on the
personal experience. representatives in the coming months. this. On a personal note I tried to procure Balfour's plan to sell off of Parsons the market by creating a more financially international stage, creating a higher
So what do they say to the construction But the document is only the starting some Ibstock Athena for myself — and was Brinckerhoff, and with consultancy work secure entity, but I fear on the other hand value export business than the two
SME director complaining about lack of point of a new drive to engage with the told there was a 12-month lead time. currently a more profitable area than it would create an increasingly firms currently have separately. This
access to public sector contracts? What political process that goes beyond the The main current issue as I'm told is building, Carillion certainly had a point in adversarial culture similar to the worst of should be welcomed because improving
response do they offer the family at 2015 General Election campaign and that many of the major housebuilders wanting to retain that. the 1970s and 1980s, in which case export business is undoubtedly one of
the bottom of the housing association's individual MPs' surgeries. are booking millions of bricks in advance, clients and suppliers beware. the best ways to bring wealth back into
waiting list? How best do they advise the Once we have a new government, there thereby creating an artificial shortage. Peter Gracia As a firm, we will not deal with the the country.
young trainee whose brick-laying diploma will be an ever-increasing range of policy So in conclusion, Francis Noble may be Director, Gracia Consult large contractors any more due to their
at the local college led precisely nowhere? issues where the CIOB, as the voice of correct in stating that the numbers of I won't have a tear in my behavior towards subcontractors and Bernard Keogh
If you're a typical MP, your responses qualified, skilled construction managers, bricks are being produced, but you just eye if Balfour and Carillion suppliers over the past few years or so. MD, Arque Construction
will be drawn from the library of has a contribution to make. There's BIM, can't get them. don't come together. It In 2012 we quoted over £6m worth of Balfour Beatty’s figures have been very
construction policy cliches. You might of course, and pursuing a multi-strand would be better for the UK fencing work to larger companies at their poor, its share price has slumped, and it’s a
sympathise with the SME rather than approach to training and education. H&S starts with correct PPE marketplace if we have more major request, but many wouldn't even respond “Allowing a known fact that larger companies take
advise on BIM adoption; the idea of There's the increasingly globalised world J Sandland MCIOB, via website contractors to choose from and genuine to us, and those we did do work for were merger at a longer to turn around, but rather than
lobbying the HA to pursue faster and we operate in (highlighted by new vice From experience of safety audits and competition rather than it becoming a always late in paying or short of payment time when the merge with Carillion I believe getting a
cheaper offsite construction is unlikely president Paul Nash on page 8), and how CDM, it is usually site behavioural monopoly run by a few “super for spurious reasons. government new chief executive in place to implement
to be top of mind; and you might give the about the implications of the "circular problems, usually forced by non- friendly contractors”. Allowing a merger at a time The City has reported that large has been changes and efficiencies would have been
trainee a little pep talk about the 182,000 economy" on public procurement? PPE designs, where PPE is a last resort in when the government has been saying it corporates have lost 90% of their cash saying it wants a better course of action.
new jobs the CITB tell us will open up by It's not as if the CIOB can unilaterally such circumstances, meaning operatives wants to direct more and more work value in two years and at the same time to direct more Merging two massive contractors seems
2019, before advising them to apply for a influence policy on these issues. But if it take occupational site risks (Calls to cut towards SMEs and give them 18% of their supplier payments have become and more work very bad for competition, especially as
job at the above-mentioned HA's new site. can do more to position and promote itself workplace silica follows HSE health 'blitz', overall spend seems nonsensical. increasingly extended each year. towards SMEs large clients with multi-million pound
In other words, your responses would as a well-informed voice with sensible online, 25 July). Usually due to time = I saw a Treasury document recently Payment terms of 120 days is not seems projects already struggle to get enough
be geared to supporting an industry- ideas to add, then the industry and money motivations on large sites when it which highlighted the fact that around unusual and 60 days is commonplace. nonsensical.” large contractors to tender. Together I
wide status quo: long and inefficient membership should undoubtedly benefit. comes closer to PC time! 50% of the majors were using SMEs to The big contractors must be very close to Peter Gracia, doubt they would have as big a market
supply chains, conventional methods One frequently seen offender is county deliver most of their projects, so why disaster, but are likely “too big to fail”. Gracia Consult share as they do separately.
of construction, ineffective training Elaine Knutt, editor council road operatives cutting slabs, I
have noted.
Correction — CIAT membership allows applicants with the relevant NVQ/QCF Level 7 in Built Environment
Bring back Cycling Proficiency The Chartered Institute of Architectural competence and experience to qualify Management and Consultancy Practice
More Construction Manager N Jones, via website Technologists would like to point out as Chartered Architectural Technologists
Contact us
could be used by any applicant to complete
online and on Twitter It is a shame that most councils have
axed (or are axing) the Cycling Proficiency
some inaccuracies in our story "Design
managers welcome NVQ route to
(MCIAT) using evidence from their
sphere/s of practice within architectural
Do you have an
the Professional Assessment and attain
MCIAT upon successful attendance at a
Our twice-weekly newsletters give you breaking news, and opinion on any
Schemes that give young cyclists a membership..." in the April 2014 edition, technology. The discipline of architectural Professional Assessment Interview.
online-only content, including more coverage of what’s of this month’s
grounding in road safety (Safe on streets, which discussed a new pathway to CIOB technology is broad and certainly includes A degree is not a mandatory
happening in the Circular Economy, and fresh perspectives articles? Email:
online, 16 July) . It is even more important, membership likely to appeal to non- the role of design manager. In fact it is a construction- requirement for CIAT membership
on the week’s news. Sign up at www.construction-manager.
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join our 4,800+ Twitter followers @CMnewsandviews.
adopting initiatives such as CLOCS. process, the Professional Assessment, Evidence used to attain the Edexcel honours degree level and beyond.
10 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 11
Comment Rachel Woolliscroft
We are the enablers of social change
01473 820850 celotex.co.uk
Whether it’s lowering crime, improving health or cleaning up an
Celotex. Your route to compliance environment, construction has the capacity to deliver change,
argues Rachel Woolliscroft of Wates Group.
Domestic THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is inextricably l 82% reported that it had led to an organisations away from a mind-set of
linked with the whole of UK society. improved image of their organisation; not being able to see an immediate way
Construction reaches into every area of l 78% said it had led to better of delivering value through a service,
the UK, every city, town and village, and community relations. so choose not to pursue the matter, to
Non-Domestic therefore we — perhaps more than any But the fact that the construction breaking down barriers and opening up
other industry — have an opportunity industry is leading the way in embedding a dialogue with social enterprises and
to influence how people experience social value is only part of the story. I finding a solution together. With 90%
everyday life: from delivering offices would argue that we need to look beyond of respondents to the Social Enterprise
where workers are motivated to spend our borders and do more to support public UK survey saying that social enterprises
half their waking hours, to building organisations. are effective, for organisations that are
schools that encourage learning and According to the research above, a attempting to dip a first toe in the social
creative thinking, to providing safe, third of local authorities and housing value water, brokering contracts with
warm, long-lasting homes. associations are not considering social social enterprises via a network is a tried-
But the physical aspect is only one value across all their services. Many, and-tested route.
area where we can have an impact. particularly among the smaller housing
Given our active presence in so many associations and local authorities, Keep an eye on the prize
communities, we have an opportunity specifically struggle to apply social value It is important that we do not lose sight
to offer training and employment to small contracts. of the end-game. It is tempting to see
prospects, inspire more young people While alone this may not amount to social value as another hoop that must
to join this diverse industry and support much, when extrapolated across the be jumped through, and think that social
local SMEs and social enterprises in the country, across multiple contracts, it value involves only getting people into
supply chain to invest in local economies. means that overall they are potentially employment. It does not. Successful
Whatever the project, whatever the size, Celotex offer Since January 2013, this obligation has missing out on passing on tens, if not integration through the supply chain
industry leading insulation performance and technical advice been enshrined in law for any services hundreds, of thousands of pounds takes social value beyond merely enabling
helping simplify your route to regulatory compliance.
procured by the public sector. worth of value. Given the construction social change — such as helping people
The Building Regulations are changing with further reductions Construction’s often long-term industry’s experience, what can we get jobs — to having a transformative
required for CO2 emissions from domestic and non-domestic presence in communities offers the recommend these organisations do to effect on a community: lowering crime
buildings. More than ever, compliance will require even higher chance for lasting relationships with help them gain a greater understanding rates, improving health or cleaning up an
levels of building fabric performance. suppliers and residents to be developed, of how to fully integrate social value? environment.
With outstanding levels of expertise, our technical consultants enabling our industry to consistently lead For example, CleanStart — a social
will provide all the help and advice you need to specify Celotex the way in delivering on this agenda. Broker a deal enterprise which trains and employs ex-
Having the value derived formally Brokerage networks are one solution. offenders to carry out void clearance and
Make Celotex your next stop. recognised and measured in the These effectively match services and maintenance — has not only helped 22
tendering process has therefore largely procurement teams with pre-qualified people into permanent employment but
been welcomed by both purchasers suppliers and social enterprises. has led to reduced re-offending rates and
and suppliers. Indeed, a recent survey Networks such as this take away the fear an estimated saving to the criminal justice
insulatingbritain.co.uk of local authorities and housing of not knowing where to start; moving system of £10m.
#InsulatingBritain associations — Communities Count: the In addition, do not underestimate
four steps to unlocking social value — social value’s internal benefits. From our
undertaken by Social Enterprise UK, research, we know that embedding social
and co-sponsored by Wates, PwC, the value leads to more innovation and cost
Chartered Institute of Housing and the “Construction’s often long-term savings across the board. If you view
Orbit Group, showed the benefits of presence in communities offers the social value as a help, not a regulatory
formally recognising social value: chance for lasting relationships with hindrance, and work across sectoral and
l 71% of respondents said delivering organisational boundaries to unlock it,
social value had led to better service suppliers and residents to be developed.” you’ll reap the benefits.
delivery; Rachel Woolliscroft is sustainability
l 52% said it had resulted in savings; director of the Wates Group
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 13
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Feature The circular economy Feature The circular economy THE WORLD KEEPS TURNING The idea of a circular economy, where everything is built with re-use in mind and endlessly recycled, is gaining traction. As Katie Puckett reports, it presents a massive challenge for the industry — but also the opportunity to change the way we live. Illustration by Nick Lowndes. IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE a manufacturer is operate take-back schemes for products century. With the global population happy to replace a product after 10 years, at the end of their lives. The circular continuing to grow and urbanise, and 3 and not because there’s anything wrong But the circular economy goes further economy billion new middle class consumers with it, but simply because a better than reducing waste to eliminating it appeals expected to enter the market by 2030, version has come on to the market. altogether, extending the life of products, because it high prices and volatility will It may sound far-fetched but this is a enabling them to be reused over and over responds to be here to stay unless action is taken, serious idea proposed by some of again, and “upcycling” them to increase a pressing says the report. On the other hand, the construction’s soberest minds. It’s part of their value each time. concern for European Union could save up to a concept that has become known as the Something about the circular economy all industries: US$630bn each year by implementing “circular economy”, in which the link seems to have captured the popular the increasing circular economy principles, it says. between economic prosperity and imagination, and there are signs that it is competition resource consumption is severed. In a making the leap from deep-green niche to for resources. Finite resources circular economy, the traditional linear mainstream concern. As one of the world’s The report was commissioned by the Ellen process of “take-make-dispose” is heaviest users of resources and producers MacArthur Foundation, established in transformed into a closed loop where no of waste, construction is in the front line. 2010 to promote the circular economy, resource is wasted and everything is But is a genuinely closed loop for building inspired by the round-the-world reused or recycled. materials possible? Can construction yachtswoman’s keen awareness of her On one level, “waste not want not” is far products really be reused as easily as cans finite resources at sea. Its founding from a new idea. Swiss architect Walter of coke or cars? partners were B&Q, BT, Cisco, National Stahel first propounded the economic Unlike many ideas about sustainability, Grid and Renault and it has now signed up benefits of a closed loop economy in the the circular economy appeals because it nearly 50 global companies to its business mid-1970s, and terms such as resource responds to a pressing concern for all programme, the Circular Economy 100, efficiency, life cycle assessment, cradle to industries: the increasing competition for including contractor BAM. cradle (C2C) and the blue economy have resources. According to a report by Its campaign seems to be reaching since become familiar, to sustainability management consultant McKinsey & critical mass. In July, the European specialists at least. The construction Company — Towards a circular economy Commission issued a proposal for a future sector has steadily been reducing the — rising commodity prices since 2000 EU directive, Towards a circular economy: waste it sends to landfill for over a have wiped out the real decline in prices A zero waste programme for Europe. This decade, and many manufacturers already that took place over the whole 20th proposed a new target of recycling 70% of > 16 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2014 | 17
Feature The circular economy Feature The circular economy
> municipal waste and 80% of packaging
waste by 2030, banning the sending of
recyclable waste to landfill by 2025, and
was accompanied by a specific proposal
on developing a framework for resource
efficiency in the construction sector. In
the same month, a group of MPs in the UK
published Growing a circular economy —
ending the throwaway society, which
recommended lowering VAT on recycled
products, extending consumer warranties
and banning food waste to landfill.
Applied to construction, the circular
economy would demand nothing less Above: Park 20|20 is
than a radical shift in how buildings are a 114,000 m2 office
park near Amsterdam,
designed, maintained and even owned. designed by William
Buildings would be designed to be more McDonough, creator
adaptable and durable, and eventually to of the Cradle to Cradle
certification
be disassembled into components which Far left: Travel company
could be reused or recycled. Rather than Fox Vakanties’ office
selling products, manufacturers might building at the park
features mobile glass
undertake to provide a guaranteed level walls
of service, upgrading components as more Left: BSH’s Inspiration
efficient ones become available and House features a living
green wall and building
taking back the old materials. integrated photovoltaic
roof. The external curtain
Going full circle wall system (below) and
atria roof are designed as
The UK Contractors Group (UKCG) has unitised systems for easy
established a task group to explore how disassembly
the construction supply chain could
become more circular, and promote the
idea to its 30-strong membership. Mace
sustainability director Andrew Kinsey is
one of the group’s leaders. “In essence, CASE STUDY: THE CIRCULAR PROJECT
it’s fundamentally different to what we “It’s not just for positioning or industry remains some way from
currently do [already],” he says. “There is Park 20|20 is a 114,000m2 office either be relet or we will have to make a branding but to reduce our capital adopting a circular model, which
no waste in a circular economy because park just outside Amsterdam, and decision. Do we try to repurpose it from investment in the infrastructure, which Zachariasse attributes to construction’s
every output becomes another input. The according to property developer Delta commercial to retail, or take it apart and is one of the most expensive parts of a low profit margins and high failure
whole industry is a long, long way from Development, it will be the first sell it off piece by piece, or break it development,” says Zachariasse. “We costs. “It took two years for the general
that ideal at the moment.” “Cradle to Cradle” working environment down into its material components and had to do a lot of remediation on the contractor to get really comfortable and
There are isolated examples of circular in the Netherlands. sell off the steel? That way, you quickly site, and when you start incurring extra to start coming to us with their own
business models. In the aerospace It was designed by US architect get into a circular approach.” cost, it forces you to become very solutions. Then there’s a snowball
industry, Rolls-Royce has offered an William McDonough, one of the creators In some ways, designing for creative in how you’re going to go about effect and momentum picks up rapidly.”
engine and accessory replacement service of the Cradle to Cradle certification disassembly means considering using the rest of your investment. It For Zachariasse, the focus on
on a fixed-cost per flying hour basis since programme (see case study overleaf). problems backwards: “When you’re drove us to look at alternative uses for reducing carbon is something of a red
1962, while Michelin started leasing tyres It may sound like a lofty ambition designing a structural steel component, the materials.” herring. “It’s more about optimising
on a per kilometre basis in the 1920s. but it’s also a very commercial one, don’t just look at how the corner comes This did make the demolition process carbon placement. Carbon in the
More recently, Dutch electronics giant stresses Owen Zachariasse, head of together, how it’s welded. You ask ‘in more painstaking, as buildings were atmosphere is not a good thing, but
Philips worked with RAU Architects on a innovation and sustainability at Delta future, how would I take the corner taken apart piece by piece, but the carbon in the environment is, so
“pay per lux” model for its lighting Development. “Nobody is willing to pay apart’. When you’ve asked that overall addition to the programme was sequestering carbon in green walls is
products, where it doesn’t sell the light > more for sustainability. They’re willing question, you have the answer to not significant, he says. “You don’t incur more of a holistic solution.
to invest in a positive business case, but how it should be constructed.” extra costs if you set out your strategy “It’s about identifying biological or
right now we need to do all of this On Delta’s previous logistics at the start, so it’s in the DNA of the technical nutrients and designing in a
“There is no waste in a circular within a commercially viable budget.” development, at the Fokker aircraft project. It’s when you start something way that we can properly recover
economy because every output At Park 20|20, Delta has considered manufacturing plant near Schipol halfway through that it becomes an materials and send them on to their
becomes another input. The the whole lifecycle of each building. airport, 100% of the materials from additional cost.” next use. With a material like steel, as
whole industry is a long way “We start to ask questions. The main demolition were reused either in the The project team at Park 20|20 all sit long as we maintain its structural and
from that ideal at the moment.” one is what the building will be used for development or sold to the demolition in the same room and work from the molecular integrity it can be reused
Andrew Kinsey, Mace after the first tenant leaves. It will company to be reused elsewhere. same BIM model. But the wider Dutch indefinitely,” concludes Zachariasse.
18 | SEPTEMBER 2014 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | SEPTEMBER 2013 | 19You can also read
