Government-commissioned report ‘Modernise or Die’ called ‘necessary’ by top construction bosses
Industry big-hitters have welcomed this week’s government-commissioned Farmer Review, which said construction will end up withering if it does not reform the way it does business.
Mark Farmer (pictured), chief executive of consultant Cast, was asked earlier this year by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to look at what the industry needs to do become more efficient, including using more off-site methods, and how to recruit more people into it.
Published on Monday, the 80-page report, called Modernise or Die, makes damning comparisons with other industries and comes up with a 10-point action plan.
CLC chair Andrew Wolstenholme, who is also chief executive of Crossrail, admitted: “It does not make for comfortable reading.”
But he said it was necessary because the industry had reached “a tipping point”.
His comments were echoed by Laing O’Rourke chairman Ray O’Rourke who said: “The report shines a light on the serious and systemic issues in UK housebuilding and the wider construction industry, and we cannot afford to ignore them any longer.
“There is significant scope for radical transformation through the adoption of new technologies and advanced manufacturing approaches.”
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