BMF and CECA propose joint industry steering group
The BMF and CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) have discussed plans to develop a joint industry steering group in an effort to transform the information flow between civil engineering contractors, clients and the material distribution, manufacturing and merchant market.
This announcement from BMF CEO John Newcomb and CECA CEO Alasdair Reisner was broadcast to attendees of the BMF Civils & Infrastructure Forum, hosted by BMF Civils and Infrastructure Group Chairman, Nick Boyle.
The event was an opportunity to hear first-hand from John, Alasdair and Nick about the urgent requirement for the construction industry to break normal ‘reactive’ working methods and become more transparent in the sharing of information that will ultimately improve productivity and innovation across the entire construction industry. The intention to develop a joint steering group between the two trade associations signals a clear intent to put this new culture of openness into practice.
The headline event was an opportunity to hear Alasdair’s perspective on the recently published Construction Playbook. The new 14-policy guidance document is likely to start influencing infrastructure procurement projects as early as 2022 and as Alasdair pointed out, presents a massive opportunity for our industry, Alasdair comments: “the Construction Playbook represents the greatest reform in government procurement we’ve ever seen. It brings much greater emphasis to social and environmental outcomes of a project, not just the on-time, on-budget measures typically used. It also acknowledges the need for early supply chain involvement – a switch from the typical model of early contractor involvement. There is a lot to wade through in this guidance, but by its very nature, will force the construction industry to move at pace to be able to evidence many of its new requirements.”
John Newcomb spoke passionately to the audience about the key lessons the industry has learnt as a consequence of COVID and how together, we can look towards a brighter future, John says: “Right now the door is wide open for us to continue making a huge, positive impact on the British economy. In truth, COVID highlighted many weaknesses in our industry but in response we have come back stronger than ever through the tireless work of the Construction Leadership Council uniting our industry with one voice. Now, we must extend our reach and by collaborating with associations such as CECA we are making a public declaration that we must act as one industry – by breaking out of our silos, we will make a significant contribution to Build Back Better.”