Construction is a sector where Britain has a strong competitive edge and timber is a hugely important element of that sector. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the STA, sees a massive opportunity to expand the use of timber via the Construction 2025 strategy.
We have world-class expertise in architecture, design and engineering and British companies are leading the way in sustainable construction solutions. It is also a sector with considerable growth opportunities with the global construction market forecast set to grow by over 70% by 2025.
Changes in the international economy are creating new opportunities for Britain. To help boost the economic recovery, the Government is doing all it can to help British businesses grow and have the aspiration, confidence and all-important drive needed to compete in the global race. This includes reforming the planning system: ensuring funding is available for key infrastructure projects and supporting the housing market through key initiatives such as the Help-to-Buy Equity Loan Scheme and the Funding for Lending Scheme.
The Government wants to work with industry to ensure British companies are well-placed to take advantage of these opportunities. As part of the Industrial Strategy policy, the Government is building long-term partnerships with sectors that can deliver significant growth. Construction is one of those sectors. Construction 2025 is a joint strategy that sets out how industry and Government will work together to put Britain at the forefront of global construction over the coming years. The document summarises the key themes and commitments within the strategy.
Industry and Government have developed a clear and defined set of aspirations for UK construction. It begins with a clear vision of where UK construction will be in 2025 in five key areas.
People
An industry that is known for its talented and diverse workforce – the timber sector is littered with highly knowledgeable and talented individuals and the job of the STA is to promote these people and ensure a ‘joined-up’ sector with which the wider industry can do business. The skills shortage experienced in the past two years, since the upturn in the economy, is marked and we need to work on the ‘image of our sector’ to encourage people to join us and also how we can get ‘more out of less’ by adopting lean principals in all that we do.
Smart
An industry that is efficient and technologically advanced. The biggest opportunity here undoubtedly lies with BIM. Although it has been high on the construction industry agenda for about five years, the housing industry has been slow on the update and consequently most of the STA members do not see it appearing on their agenda.
The sooner we do adopt BIM as the way we do things, as has been the case in Norway, the better, as it will revolutionise the way we do business. BIM demands a collaborative culture, which is exactly the requirement for any offsite solution to ‘stack up’ financially – therefore, it makes sense commercially for STA members to support it.
In addition to the often communicated ‘clash detection’ benefits in a recent series of BIM4Housing conferences around the UK, many other benefits have been indicated including reducing design costs by 15% - 20%, reducing material wastage by up to 20% through accurate take offs, visual advantages to allow speedy planning decisions, sales of properties abroad before a building is built and allowing housing association residents to choose internal finishes.
Sustainable
An industry that leads the world in low-carbon and green construction exports. This is obviously the ‘big ticket’ when it comes to STA members, with timber probably the only renewable resource in the construction sector and containing less embodied energy than comparable building material. The global drive for sustainable construction solutions puts structural timber frame at the forefront of the agenda when it comes to the choice of building materials and as Building Regulations toughen in this area, so timber will become the first choice for many clients.
Growth
An industry that drives growth across the entire economy – it is reassuring to note that the priority of the last five years has been one of growth and that this is going to continue for the next five years. This in itself should give STA members the confidence to invest.
The STA has been working with 15 erector members over the past three years, with money from the CITB, to help them take advantage of the future growth potential. The results have been outstanding with GVA across the 15 companies growing from £20,866 per person in 2012 to £28,041 in 2014 – that’s an increase of 34%. The UK average is £23,755 – this gives our members an improvement over that of 18%. It goes to prove that with training in the right quarters, business improvement is very much a possibility. If we can cascade this learning across the entire sector the results would be spectacular.
Leadership
An industry with clear leadership from a Construction Leadership Council. For anything to take place, clear and consistent leadership is essential. The STA intends to continue its efforts to bring that leadership to those involved in the structural timber sector within the UK construction industry. The STA is now seen as the ‘go to’ organisation when it comes to industry stakeholders but with this position comes responsibility.
In the area of fire safety, the STA now works closely with both the HSE and CFOA to ensure solutions are provided for whatever potential threat is raised. In the region of a low carbon economy, the STA works closely with the Zero Carbon Hub and is involved in its various working groups that often lead Government thinking.
The STA is also working with both the DCLG and GLA to help provide more housing through offsite solutions and with BIS to promote BIM within the UK housing sector. NHBC and LABC use the STA for their technical issues appertaining to structural timber frame products and services and the links with HBF, NHF, Housing Forum, Constructing Excellence and CIOB continue to flourish.
The work the STA is doing with CITB also leads the way when it comes to erector leadership, management and supervisory development as has already been shown. The secret is to ensure this clear leadership is linked throughout the supply chain and this is where our direct access to the Leadership Council is key.
This vision will provide the basis for the industry to exploit its strengths in the global market but closer to home will ensure a bright future for all STA members.
