Be targets suppliers in effort to swell its ranks

Be, the largest independent construction supply chain body in the UK, wants more products and materials suppliers among its membership.
Be has set itself a target of increasing its total membership from 100 to 150 by the end
of 2005.
Take up from the products and materials sector has been slow since Be was launched in November 2002: the handful signed up so far include Corus, Forticrete, Glamalco, Marshalls and Rock Asphalte.
"Products are more than just a commodity to projects," Don Ward, Be chairman, told CJ. "As well as the after service aspect the firms provide, who knows about the performance of products better than those who make them?
"Therefore, the argument is that to make collaborative working truly integrated you have got to have products power at the table right from the start. That way you benefit from their whole life costing expertise, their durability, reliability and detailed design expertise," he said.
Ward said the products sector is vital to Be as savings worth as much as 50% are available by establishing long-term integrated supply chains embracing products suppliers.
"Forty per cent of the cost of a new building is spent on materials, so not to involve suppliers early when making a decision about a project is madness," he said.
"It's no good Be just being a contractor or client body. Con-tractors already have the Major Contractors Group and clients the Construction Clients Group.
"We don't stand for any vested interest except to ensure that buildings are built better, therefore making the client and the whole of the supply chain better off," said Ward. "And the only way to do that is to have the whole supply chain represented."
In an effort to increase supplier representation, Be will be asking its members for recommendations. "We will ask them to introduce us to those they are working with that they think could bring something innovative, that are contributing to supply chain integration and that are adding value for clients," he said.