The UK construction industry has come under attack once more for its grossly inefficient building methods.

A less than glowing report by economist Bernard Williams Associates cites the UK as being some 30-40% less efficient than the best performers among our European counterparts.

In Belguim, the Netherlands, Germany and the Nordic countries, closer collaboration between the design and build teams leads to much greater use of prefabrication and results in buildings that consume significantly less labour and materials than those built using the traditional, craft-led processes favoured in the UK, France, Spain, Ireland and Italy.

It is, of course, unfair to tar the whole of the UK construction industry with the same brush. Our special feature on productivity issues (pages 21-30) highlights three examples of UK plc getting it right. Bailey’s Lean Improvement Strategy, Amec’s use of 3D modelling and virtual reality and Goodmarriott and Hursthouse’s work at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium show that the UK can match the very best in Europe when it comes to productivity.

The ECA is soon to launch a Continuous Process Improvement programme for members. With profit margins for many in m&e contracting struggling to better more than a few per cent, there should be little incentive required to take part. And with clients unlikely to want to pay more for their buildings in future, enhanced productivity is the only route to better profits. Make sure your firm is ahead of the pack.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor