M1 MMC Sept '16 cc

Off-site gets organised
Recognised by Government as the voice of the UK offsite construction industry, Buildoffsite is a Membership organisation
unlike others.
While the Government accolade is
welcome it also imposes a significant
responsibility on the organisation to
work as hard as possible to support a
transformation in the way in which the industry
works. A transformation from an industry that
constructs on site using basic components, to
an industry that assembles on site from
factory-made systems and assemblies.
Buildoffsite has been working on this agenda for
more than 12 years with a work programme that
includes:
• making the business case for the use of offsite
solutions
• facilitating knowledge sharing between clients
and suppliers
• showcasing exemplar projects and processes
• facilitating collaboration and networking
• supporting the development of new skills
• challenging both the Membership and the
wider industry to constantly raise their game
Over that time there has been a significant
increase in the use of offsite solutions. To a
great extent this shift has been brought about by
clued-up clients who understand only too well
what to expect from traditional construction and
don’t like the offering. Clients are starting to
demand substantially faster build times, right
first time quality, a step change improvement in
environmental and health and safety practice
and an insistence that the completed
construction will have the performance in use
that has been specified.
Clients are absolutely right to be frustrated and
to challenge the industry to do much better. The
increase in client expectations has done more
than anything else to drive up standards in our
industry. Many contractors and designers now
enthusiastically embrace the intelligent use of
offsite solutions, it is a powerful sign that the
transformation is increasingly being
understood, in turn becoming well established
across much of the industry.
And there is still a role for traditional
construction. A gifted brick layer, a plasterer or
a carpenter demonstrating incredibly
competent, hard won skills can be remarkable
to observe. In some markets, in particular the
repair, maintenance and improvement market,
it is likely that these skills will be in demand for
many years to come. However, part of the
challenge is that there are just too few skilled
tradesmen around. Because of this reality and
because it is very difficult (if not impossible) to
improve the productivity of a trade much
further, it is inevitable that the use of traditional
trades on a project is always going to get in the
way of improving productivity and the adoption
of more efficient delivery processes.
Buildoffsite and our supporters still have a lot to
do to encourage people that adopting new
Richard Ogden (pictured)
is Chairman of Buildoffsite
and after more than 12
years at the helm will
stand down at the end of
the year. His role will be
taken by Andy Dix.
thinking does not mean a dumbing down of
design and construction. Indeed the reverse can
be the case.
As an industry we are on track for unparalleled
change and the increased use of offsite
solutions will be a key enabler of that change.
What is also absolutely clear is that there is no
magic bullet and bringing about permanent
change is going to require a sustained effort by
committed people drawn from all sides off the
industry. To meet some of these people come
along (for free) to the Offsite Construction Show
at ExCel on 12 and 13 October.
www.buildoffsite.com
12
MMC
Sep/Oct 2016 MI