Tarmac and HBG have landed partnering agreements, and the DIY giant is still in talks with two other contractors. In the past, B&Q put all contracts out to competitive tender.
Last October, the firm announced a £750m new-build programme over the next five years, which involves building 125 stores at a rate of 20 a year. Each store has a construction value of £3m-6m.
HBG and Tarmac will be contracted to build all B&Q’s freehold outlets, which will amount to about one in three of the projected 125 stores.
Stores operating in conjunction with a developer will be tendered according to the developer’s remit. However, as the developers often ask for B&Q’s recommendations when appointing a contractor, Tarmac, HBG and the other two partners will also be in pole position for development-led work.
The move to partnering is spearheaded by B&Q’s project controller Mark Cammies, who wants to improve the continuity and quality of the buildings.
“It is difficult for my team to drive through the continuity of B&Q’s specifications,” said Cammies, “and we can only do that by narrowing the field.” Cammies is also planning to use key performance indicators to measure sustainability, which will include the use of sustainable timber and paints that do not contain solvents.
The continuity of specifications for B&Q can only be achieved by narrowing the field
Mark Cammies, B&Q
Since joining the firm last September, Cammies has reduced the number of consultants to a core team of four QSs and five M&E consultants. He is also introducing a fast-track construction programme that aims to erect a B&Q store in 30 weeks.
Cammies said this might involve prefabrication, and he has already modified the specifications for a B&Q store to suit modular building arrangements.
However, he warned that firms selected as partners must not be complacent about their position.
On the health and safety front, he said he was considering introducing a “three strikes and you’re out” system, so any contractors found to be flouting procedures three times would be removed from the partnering list.
Contractors could be removed after one offence, however, if a lapse in safety precautions resulted in a serious accident. “If it was a fatality and there were no processes to deal with it, then that might be one strike and out,” said Cammies.
The stringent health and safety rules come into effect in January 2000 when Cammies brings in key performance indicators to measure health and safety performance.
