CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > November 2021 11 ASSOCIATION NEWS: 4 Plant; and James O’Meara , a JCB General Manager with responsibility for the LiveLink telematics system. Vanessa Bold explained that funding for the NHP was predicated on several key factors such as net zero carbon, market engagement to encourage best practice, and technologies such as digitalisation and new ways of building like MMC (modern methods of construction) to unlock efficiencies and improvements. Indeed, she said the NHP project would hardly be possible without adopting digitalisation as it had a defined public spending envelope with a tight delivery window. The programme’s 40 hospitals necessarily comprised different types of buildings, so standardisation and identifying commonalities of techniques would deliver efficiencies. MMC and techniques like off-site construction can enable faster results through mass production, with fewer defects. By engaging with others in the supply chain, buildings could be delivered that would resist becoming obsolete quickly, particularly in terms of operation and maintenance. Josh Wallman of Capja said that more organisations were now exploring digital solutions in the wake of Covid-19 and a desire to achieve greater efficiency. Given the pace of development in this area, it was vital to adopt the technology early. Structured data could be acquired from the start of the construction process and it could then be easier to analyse the information at other stages. Indeed, JCB’s James O’Meara described digitalisation as a tool in the toolbox rather than an end itself. Analysing real-life operating practices can help with training and efficiency improvements, and with fewer people in the labour market (plus an ageing workforce) current personnel could acquire more skills for better performance and greater job satisfaction. Adopting and using digital approaches could also attract the next generation of young, tech-savvy operators. Chris Gill of L Lynch Plant Hire stressed the importance of not being daunted by digitalisation and to consider what could be achieved right now. Software systems could reduce paperwork and lead to more accurate record keeping, avoiding forms being left incomplete or stapled to the wrong accompanying piece of paper. Lynch’s delivery drivers now use PDAs for proofs of delivery and proofs of collection, capturing electronic signatures. Select Plant’s Steve Bradby cited the example of BIM whereby crane operators could easily use cameras to see what banksmen were doing and vice versa. Such techniques can also be used for training purposes. Chris Gill added that promoting digitalisation could help the construction industry project a positive image, dispelling the cliché of building professionals inevitably having muddy boots and dirty hands. Schoolchildren and other potential employees could see that the industry was an exciting one offering opportunities to acquire skills. It was also a sector that showed resilience and long- term employment; indeed, Chris pointed out how, during the pandemic, construction has thrived. The second session on Digitalisation - and the final Conference discussion - was entitled ‘Covid-19 - Learning from its Impact in Driving Digital Change’. Participants comprised Glenn Pearson , Product Manager with Point of Rental (which was the headline sponsor of the Conference); Ryan Pike of Trackunit; Glyn Matthews , Digital Transformation Manager at Sunbelt Rentals; and David Emery from the Supply Chain Sustainability School. For David Emery, a striking result of the pandemic was the greater use of teleworking, online meetings and virtual