CJ Construction Blog

Sounds like a fairly random collective, but they were all part of the marketing spectacle at today's launch of Heathrow's T5. Adventures beginning and ending, Laing O'Rourke as the main contractor, a new specially commissioned T5 Overture that resembles the Honda car "sounds" advert, and of course, the Queen who carried out the official opening.

It is certainly a job well done by all the contractors who played their part in getting the terminal completed on time and within budget, and there is no denying that it will be a better experience than flying into any other Heathrow terminal.

Getting to this stage seems to have been remarkably easy for everyone concerned. And BAA has clearly been an exceptional client, willing to be involved and to share risk.

For anyone who worked on the project, the fact that their involvement is appreciated by the client is clear. Where else have you seen huge video screens carrying pictures of site teams alongside the strapline "hand built by heroes"?

Most of the hundreds of people here today will only talk about the construction industry when things go wrong. So how refreshing to celebrate such a great success - and to ensure that the individuals who built it are celebrated too. Just how good would it make you feel to have been part of something that is marketed as being " hand built by heroes". Marketing spin it might be, but it certainly works.