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Contractors could raise their productivity considerably by working more closely with construction equipment manufacturers, according to a leading plant trade body.
“Technology has moved on massively in the last five years, but we’re not sure if contractors realise the potential efficiency gains they could make,” said Rob Oliver, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association (CEA).
He points to intelligent machine control, where 3D site models are integrated with GNSS on earthmoving equipment. Manufacturers such as Komatsu say the technology will deliver 30% improvements in productivity through more efficient digging, less fuel use and reduced wear-and-tear on machines.
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“The greater efficiencies construction equipment now offers can make a big difference to a contractor’s bottom line,” said Oliver.
However, he warned that there is currently limited interaction between plant manufacturers and contractors.
“Contractors are the end users of our equipment, but they interface with plant hirers, so manufacturers rarely get much feedback from site,” Oliver explained.
He added that the CEA and its member manufacturers were keen to work more closely with the wider construction industry on the productivity issue.
“The Construction 2025 targets are very ambitious, so all parts of the industry need to work together,” Oliver said. “We have support from Build UK and the CIOB who see our point. Together we can present a united front to the government to influence policy, for example, encouraging public procurement to include greater reward for technical innovations.
“Let’s look forward to what a construction site might look like in 10 years. We have seen one revolution get underway with off-site manufacturing, but there hasn’t really been a revolution in construction equipment.
“We need to clear the path for the innovators, so that new technology gets used on site.”
