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Recipient Sector:
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Constructional
Steelwork Manufacturers |
Donor
Sector: |
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Automotive and
Aerospace |
Technology:
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Product Data
Management and Electronic Data Exchange |
Project
Start Date:
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02/01/02 |
Project
End Date:
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02/01/04 |
Duration:
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24 months |
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Lead
Organisation:
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Building Research Establishment (BRE) |
Contact
Name: |
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Dr Foroutan Parand |
Mail
To:
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ParandF@bre.co.uk |
Tel
No:
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01923 664 842 |
Address:
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Bucknalls Lane,
Garston, Watford, WD2 7UR |
Project Summary:
This project aims to transfer and adapt technologies from the aerospace
and automotive industries for electronic exchange of technical data and
supply chain information to engineering firms producing steel structures
for the construction industry, thereby facilitating integration of their
design, production and supply chain.
Project Partners:
BCSA
Billington Structures Ltd.
Caunton Engineering Ltd.
Corus
Frank H Dale Ltd.
Movement for Innovation, M4I
PCE
Philip Quantrill Ltd.
Need:
The constructional steelwork sector serves the UK construction industry
and has a turnover of over £2 billion, providing employment for
over 110,000 people. The sector comprises about 600 companies, most of
which are SMEs. The sector has invested in new technologies and has created
a number of 'Islands' of IT literate companies, which do not benefit fully
from their investment when it comes to engaging with their supply chain.
Major issues leading to current inefficiencies and unnecessary cost in
the tendering, procurement and delivery of structural steelwork are: quality,
timeliness, completeness and constancy. These lead to mistrust, disputes
and unnecessary cost and disruption.
Solution:
A secure web-based collaboration e-platform is being developed to allow
the target sector firms to exchange technical product information, as
well as business communications, with their clients and supply chain participants.
The design information from structural designers will be electronically
delivered into the 3D detailing software of the manufacturers from which
bills of material and procurement schedules will be posted on to the eplatform.
From there, suppliers can negotiate price and plan their delivery of material.
Approval of detail design by the clients and their agents, requests for
information and change orders, as well as other information and correspondence,
will be held centrally, visible only to project participants and selected
suppliers
Benefits:
A recent survey by BCSA shows that 80% of firms believe better flow of
information within the supply chain is essential - 50% predicted this
will result in 10% saving in the out turn costs and 73% predicted a reduction
in lead times of around two weeks.
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