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| Date:
13 May 2011 |
| Sandpits move AIMC4 Consortium towards greater sustainability |
| Categories for this story: Feature |
Bringing together top developers Stewart Milne Group, Crest Nicholson plc and Barratt Developments, plus BRE, H + H UK Ltd and Oxford Brookes University, AIMC4 aims to build a range of homes in different materials that will meet challenging Government targets to reach level four energy performance of the Code for Sustainable Homes using fabric first solutions.
To do this, the Consortium introduced a supply chain procurement method more typically used in sectors such as aviation, automotive and technology and held a series of ‘Sandpit’ days to identify a framework of partners.
Consortium member, Julian Howart, Crest Nicholson, said: “The challenge for us was to identify companies who could join us as framework members, who could work with us from the ground floor up and, most importantly, who could work together to produce the most innovative solutions that will enable us to produce Code Level 4 energy performance homes at Level 3 prices.
Working with the Technology Strategy Board and their Knowledge Transfer Network, plus an open call for applications across different industry sectors, we began an in-depth selection procedure which has delivered very positive results.”
In early 2010, more than 300 companies took part in a questionnaire as the first stage in the process to allow them to showcase their products and capabilities in a challenging, yet creative, way. Through subsequent presentations, team exercises, technical review and formal tendering, each company was given the opportunity to demonstrate how their product could contribute to the whole house solution.
The AIMC4 partners were able to carry out a detailed assessment of those companies that have the best product in terms of not only energy-saving performance and cost, but also reliability and durability.
So, how does the process work? Fundamentally, it splits into three phases – the initial application questionnaire; the Sandpits and finally, the formal tender.
In the first phase, existing suppliers and newer, less familiar companies recruited through a publicity drive were invited to participate by completing a detailed application covering issues such as cost, production capacity, integration, patents/IP and product certification. The information gathered was evaluated by the Consortium and, of 302 companies that applied, 80 were invited to progress to the Sandpit stage.
The aim of the first Sandpit held in March, was to engage with the companies, outline the AIMC4 challenge and clarify those products and services meriting further assessment. But, perhaps more importantly, it was also designed to evaluate the ‘fit’ of the companies themselves in terms of working well within the consortium. Applicants were split into teams charged with analysing the challenge and identifying the top issues, and presenting these back to the Sandpit panel of consortium representatives.
Participants were first split into their respective sector categories, each giving a short presentation and answering specific questions from peers and the Consortium’s technical experts to drill down into the finer detail about each product and service. This established the extent to which each product had been sufficiently tested to support performance claims, what stage of development had been reached and its ability to be delivered at the required volumes. By rating each product against a matrix of criteria, the technical team ensured a transparent process of fair and consistent evaluation.
Finally, companies were asked to solve key performance and process problems in their particular sectors before being further split into four potential design/construction teams. Each was challenged to improve the overall SAP 2005 rating of a given house type in order to achieve a 44% reduction using their products, with each having to prove itself against both SAP and on affordability.
From a supplier perspective, Jim Oswald, director of Coventry-based Wattbox Limited, commented: “Clearly, technological evaluation is less readily employed in construction than in other industry and this was a learning curve for everyone involved. However, by engaging directly with the Consortium, what might have been purely a tick box exercise became a more dynamic process through direct dialogue, drilling down into feedback and expanding both parties’ understanding.”
In total, 33 companies successfully progressed through the Sandpit process and were invited to tender for work within the project. Products are being tendered against specifications developed by the AIMC4 technical team, with further guidance available throughout the process. The final selection will be made on the basis of energy-saving performance, cost effectiveness and longevity.
Commenting on the process, Mr Howart of Crest Nicholson added: “Throughout, the whole process has been hugely positive. We have seen some innovative solutions that are simple, elegant and ultimately cost-effective.
For the suppliers themselves, we believe it gave them the opportunity to work with us and with other manufacturers, gain a clear understanding of the zero carbon challenges of their clients, and think outside the box and develop tailored outcomes.”
The whole process was robustly documented and key learning was identified, including to ensure the widest possible selection of companies are invited to participate; identifying the serious players as quickly as possible; managing expectations of all concerned; and ensuring that facilitators and assessors work to the same brief to maintain consistency sessions.
While for the AIMC4 Consortium the choice of Sandpits was a lengthy procedure, it is one that undoubtedly challenged thinking at the same time as making huge strides towards achieving the overall objectives. |
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