The seminars were split into four sessions: product development, project implementation, production of components and partnering in the supply chain.
At the Partnering in the Supply Chain session, Ashley Brighton of J Sainsbury spoke of a strategy for partnering delivered in three phases. “First, it is necessary to stabilise the immediate supply framework before the process and design of a project can be addressed,” he said, referring to the establishment of framework suppliers.
The next stage was to set delivery targets to be achieved by these suppliers. Only then was it possible to carry out the third phase – “stabilising the entire supply chain from end user to raw material provider”.
After seven years, J Sainsbury has still only reached the second phase.
John Wright of architect Modern Design Group spoke of the need to “select partners and key subcontractors through quality-based selection methods”.
If some of you think progress so far has been slow, take heart. The industry is on the verge of something big
Sir John Egan
Wright was speaking of his experience on a technical block extension. He said selection had been based on “a receptiveness to the Egan philosophy, quality of management and proposed site team, technical expertise and an open-book pricing policy”.
The early involvement of subcontractors was seen as key to facilitating innovation. Speaking in the Production of Components session, Nick Whitehouse of volumetric builder Terrapin said that with off-site fabrication, it was essential to communicate early in the project to get the benefits from it.
Speaking at the conference, Sir John Egan said that one of the best things he had done was to insist on demonstration projects.
He said the key to future progress would be further integration of project teams. “If some of you think progress so far has been slow, take heart,” he said.
“The industry is on the verge of something really big. The work so far has been enabling. Soon we will be taking huge strides. The industry will soon be able to undertake projects of the greatest complexity while still rooting out waste. Now is the time to push down on the accelerator.” Sir John said he wanted to see £6bn of demonstration projects on site, and that “process integrators” – fully integrated construction teams – would lead the way in doing this.
