DBF/RCF plan to unite

The Design Build Foundation (DBF) and Reading Construction Forum (RCF) have established a formal partnership this week to "co-ordinate activity and share best practice".

And both sides, which were formed through Reading University initiatives in the 1990s, admit that more trade associations and bodies should team up to avoid wasting valuable resources.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has revealed that it would consider merging with other bodies to provide a stronger, single voice.

Barry Holmes, director general of the DBF which has 83 members from all areas of the supply chain, agrees there should be a reduction in the estimated 150 organisations currently in existence.

Holmes, who revealed that no decision had yet been made regarding the name of the partnership, told CJ: "I firmly believe there needs to be rationalisation of construction bodies and this should be at the forefront of change.

"There needs to be more synergy, and bodies should be looking to team up, where possible, because there is more pressure to use resources as part of a broader programme. It's all a question of logistics.

"The industry has become more fragmented over the past few decades, which is why it is so vital to have good structures and strategies in place now."

Malcolm Dodds, director of the 43-member RCF, added: "Time is the main concern, not so much duplication or repetition. It doesn't make sense to be members of two or more groups and attending two or more separate meetings when you could be spending more time working on initiatives that would be of use to the industry."

The two organisations will profit from working together as the DBF promotes the integration of design and construction, while the RCF aims to increase industry effectiveness.

Both Holmes and Dodds will now help review related projects and ensure that they are either done jointly or delegated to the most appropriate of the two parties.