All articles by Simon Rawlinson – Page 3
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FeaturesProcurement update: Offsite
With government pushing the offsite agenda and a growing housing sector needing to access new capacity, how can clients position themselves to take advantage of the benefits of offsite construction?
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CommentLook east to export
We need to sell our brands abroad in new ways if UK businesses are to take advantage of emerging opportunities in fast-growing South-east Asia
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CommentHow to stick your oar in
Recent interventions by senior politicians into the sector highlight the pros and cons of engaging with our industry – it’s better when they don’t chase headlines
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FeaturesProcurement update: revolution
Two decades on from the Egan report and with a construction sector deal on the way, will 2018 be the year for construction’s procurement revolution?
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CommentThinking the unthinkable
Ryanair is preparing its customers for a no-deal Brexit by inserting a special clause into its agreements. Does our industry need to be more proactive in recognising Brexit risk?
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CommentGet out your platforms
2018 could see the wider adoption of product platforms, delivering buildings from a kit of parts. But is this a flash in the pan?
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CommentWe’re all accountable for skills
The ambition of the CITB reform plan is essential – now the industry itself must step up its game too, if construction’s skills challenges are to be met
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CommentUnravelling quantitative easing
As the US signals an unwinding of quantitative easing, what would the implications be of the withdrawal of the UK’s major stimulus programme?
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FeaturesProcurement update: Uncertain markets
Clients are returning to package-based procurement to get better value from their supply chain, even though this involves taking on much more risk
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CommentThe long shadow
Ten years ago the credit crunch took us all unawares. But is our industry any better equipped today to respond to the deep economic currents that affect our markets?
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CommentThe shock of the new
All parties are promising a new era of council housebuilding - could this be the wake-up call the industry needs to fundamentally change the way it goes about building houses?
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CommentThe art of the deal
It’s time for construction to engage with the UK’s industrial strategy and make key investment deals with clients and government. So, here’s how we’re going to do it
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CommentApprenticeship policy will distort the market
The IFS’ blistering critique of the government’s apprentice policy holds some uncomfortable truths for construction. There is increased competition for younger employees but little real incentive to invest in high-level skills training
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CommentWill the Autumn Statement take a strategic approach to infrastructure?
Politicians on both side of the pond are hailing infrastructure investment as the key to boosting the economy and improving the lot of disaffected voters, but for that to happen we need to be better at selecting projects that deliver the greatest benefit
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FeaturesInternational costs 2016
Global economic volatility, the UK vote for Brexit and currency fluctuations have triggered big movements in the relative construction costs of world cities
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CommentGoogling construction
Two significant anniversaries say a lot about how far our industry still has to go in transforming manufacturing methods and learning from other industries
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CommentHinkley opens up UK markets to global competitors
The decision to give Hinkley Point the go-ahead means UK construction firms will find themselves increasingly up against competition from abroad
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CommentTeam GB: Reflected glory
Team GB’s glittering success in Rio was the result of a brilliantly executed campaign. Surely there must be lessons for construction?
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CommentMcAlpine: Pick ‘n’ mix
Sir Robert McAlpine’s diversification strategy towards civils and public sector work shows that, in the current market, contractors can be choosey about where they operate
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CommentLittle to gain from Brexit?
Building’s latest survey of construction portrays an industry that expects a Brexit event to have a major impact on its business