Couple this with the conclusion of the Balfour Beatty and VINCI report, that states: ‘All key players must step up to the plate and play their part in modernising the industry and prioritising innovation’, it is clear that major contractors and clients will be much more open to working with the supply chain to develop innovative ideas and utilise relevant technologies.


What is also much clearer is the need for a wider industry push for collaborative working, better and more inclusive procurement and incentives for R&D. So as Balfour Beatty and VINCI quite rightly highlight, with billions of pounds being invested in infrastructure, if everyone can come together to develop a more strategic approach to managing innovation, the construction industry can realise the huge potential it can offer’.


You can download a free copy of the report at www.balfourbeatty.com


“Implementing new technology throughout the construction sector is extremely important, but in a low margin business, it is difficult to put more resource behind research and


development into technologies that will practically make a commercial difference onsite. With more R&D we could move faster in the UK, but we are by no means falling behind the rest of the world.


Our members are definitely open to innovation, so I would encourage the supply chain to focus on how it can make technology cost effective and relevant to our members. For example, we can now see the increased use of drones and new equipment technologies coming through, thanks to relevant research and development. So what it really comes down to is investing in the resources needed to collaboratively bring relevant technologies through the supply chain and onto sites.


Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive of CECA


“Major projects, whether or not underwritten by government, are key in that they provide a forward framework for investment in plant.


They provide a longer timeframe against which to plan, as opposed to shorter-term smaller projects.


“For example, what has been impressive from our dealings with the HS2 team, has been their keenness to plan ahead for their plant requirement – and set the bar for the most environmentally friendly or “green” project possible.


“This will inevitably mean sourcing state-of-the-art machines, which may go beyond the standard European requirements on noise and emissions. There is certainly an appetite for innovation and new technologies from the industry as we saw at our recent Construction Productivity Forum, which brought together suppliers, contractors, project planners and plant hirers.


“The challenge now is how to adapt old style commissioning systems to make them more agile and adaptable to good ideas.”


Rob Oliver CEO of the CEA


“When it comes to the adoption and relevance of technology, there is always a distribution of depth of understanding throughout the industry and there’s always something to learn, as the syllabus keeps changing.


“ 10 THE KNOWLEDGE


GAINED ON THE PROJECT WAS ALREADY BEING SHARED ACROSS THE ORGANISATION.


“Major infrastructure projects definitely have a role to play, as they can work with the supply chain to cooperatively develop and test new technology, in a supported and un-critical environment. Once it is proven, it can be released to other projects and to others in the supply chain, that don’t have the time and money for research and development.


“Fundamentally, when it comes to the successful adoption of technology, everything boils down to having a conversation with clients about how to work together to meet their needs, in a way that is economic and efficient.”


Kevin Minton, Director of CPA


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