Client revolt sparks information network

Clients, consultants, contractors, and government joined this week to welcome the official launch of an industry-wide Construction Productivity Network designed to pool information on how to improve efficiency.

The network is seen as a practical initiative to help achieve the 30% productivity gain targeted in the Latham Report.

Supporters believe much of the knowledge needed to improve the industry's performance already exists. The network is designed to disseminate that information to a wider audience and stimulate its practical application.

Launching the initiative this week, Nigel Graham, construction manager for Whitbread, warned that clients are increasingly ready to use their purchasing power to secure a better deal from construction.

'We are no longer prepared to accept the service we have traditionally been given,' he declared. 'Construction has failed its clients. It is consequently failing itself.'

Graham, who chairs the network management committee, said the project was a key step towards improving the service to clients. He was supported by Construction Minister Robert Jones, who said: 'The network has the potential to make an enormous impact on productivity.'

The CPN has initial pump primer funding from the Government and is jointly sponsored by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association and the Building Research Establishment. Activities will include a regular series of workshops and an exchange of information on latest developments in productivity research.

Key issues are already emerging from early workshop sessions. They include procurement practices, team relationships, and management techniques.

Membership of the network is open to all involved with the construction process. Annual subscription rates are œ500 for commercial organisations and œ250 for academic institutions and small firms (under œ1 million turnover).

Top companies backing the network already include Bovis, Laing, and Taylor Woodrow.