For
seven years, NBS has chartered the rise of BIM within the UK design community,
but this week launched its first report into the views of construction product
manufacturers.
With
the support of the Construction Products Association (CPA), the report is now
freely available for manufacturers to understand from its own community, what
impact BIM is having on the industry.
“What’s
great to see is the shared attitude between designers and manufacturers that
BIM is the future,” said NBS CEO Richard Waterhouse.
“Collaboration
is at the heart of BIM, and through the standardised information held in
well-structured models, manufacturers and designers will be able to work
increasingly closely together, making sure the right product is selected,
installed and used through the life of a project.”
The
majority of UK manufacturers are already taking steps to provide product
information in a format that can be placed into the designers’ own model, and
manufacturers agree that BIM information will be increasingly required by
specifiers.
However,
work to support this community is still needed as only a minority – 21 percent
– believe they are confident when it comes to BIM knowledge and skills.
And
for those who are progressing well, the community is relying on collaboration
from those outside their own organisations to help overcome barriers to BIM.
Peter
Caplehorn, CPA Deputy Chief Executive and Policy Director, said: “Whilst still
far from the norm, there is no doubt the UK construction industry is on the
cusp of a technological advancement.
“Currently
we are in a situation where the supply chain is not as well coordinated as it
could be, but through digitalisation our industry will find more efficient,
cost-effective and smarter ways to do things. It is not surprising the majority
of construction product manufacturers are already taking steps to adopt the use
of BIM, but what is needed now is to ensure that they feel confident to do so.
Surveys like this are useful in highlighting the gaps where industry must work
together to encourage adoption, particularly with issues around standardisation
and Product Data Templates.”
Manufacturers
believe that BIM will deliver real benefits, including reducing costs and
creating time efficiencies through the design, build and maintenance lifecycle.
These benefits are in line with the government’s construction strategy goals;
yet 64 percent don’t believe that the government is enforcing BIM.
Over
half of those who responded believe that the BIM mandate set for April 2016 has
not been successful due to a lack of rigorous enforcement. However, just under
half of respondents still believe that the government is ‘on the right track.’
