Kvaerner Construction has had two more of its contracts named as demonstration projects by the Movement for Innovation, bringing to seven the number of projects the company has in the scheme.
The Dudley Southern Bypass, the first contract to be included by the M4i after it’s completion, was finished five months ahead of schedule under a unique partnership scheme between Kvaerner Construction and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
The local authority’s first experience of partnering resulted in its project engineer seeking to maximise the lessons learned from the scheme and let future contracts on a similar basis. Kvaerner and Dudley Council shared offices, a computer system and all files. The formal partnership also included two main subcontractors, while all companies working on the job signed a Partnering Charter.
The second demonstration project is Princes Exchange in Edinburgh, a six-storey office development in the city’s new commercial district. The construction team, including the client, Teesland Group, the designers and sub contractors, are developing the project’s design to exactly meet the client’s needs. An integrated planning system, combined with regular meetings and workshops involving all parties, also contributes to an enhanced team spirit and efficient problem resolution.
David Fison, Kvaerner Construction’s senior vice president and a member of the Movement for Innovation’s board, commented: “As a company we are committed to demonstrating innovative construction and contract techniques. These two jobs demonstrate best practice in both design development and supply chain management. The lessons we learn from them are vital for us to continue to improve the way we work and ensure that clients get real value for their money.”
Kvaerner Construction is working on five other demonstration projects: the 571-bed Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich; a new sewage treatment works in Hull for Yorkshire Water; an embankment stabilisation project for London Underground; the Tamar Bridge widening in Plymouth and Cornwall; and an M&E installations scheme in Bath Road, London, with Slough Estates.
END
For further information: