News

A new way forward for the construction industry

April 2007

With the gates finally open, many people wondered just how late and over-budget the new Wembley stadium was going to be. The disparity between an opening date of August 2005 and a proposed budget of £400 million against the actual £757 million cost and eventual completion date of March 2007 is evident.

Similarly, the budget for the 2012 Olympics has risen from the original estimate of £2.35 billion to an incredible £9 billion plus £2 billion contingency, and with the eyes of the world upon us, there will be many red faces if the work is not ready in time. Faced with such high profile case studies is it any wonder that the construction industry has a reputation for not meeting deadlines and running over budget?

Yorkshire based project management company, Barlows, has set out to dispel this perception for its high-street retail customers. The implementation of Japanese inspired 'lean' principles has transformed the way Barlows operates, resulting in significant, tangible benefits for customers both in terms of time and money.

When sports giant JJB began talks with Barlows to discuss the delivery of its new fitness centres, it was stunned when the project management company stated that it could reduce the current programme by as much as 25%. The new £1.7 million centre opened last month, and true to its word, Barlows handed over the keys four weeks earlier than originally timetabled.

Providing leading retailers with store delivery and fit-out programmes that minimise the amount of time their doors are closed for trading, and how quickly they can be up and running in a new location, is underpinned by the quality finish consumers expect.

Tom Ward, property development director at JJB, commented: "I am impressed at how quickly and professionally the project progressed. This is the first project we've undertaken in partnership with Barlows and its project management and translation of the new concept has been remarkable. We are continuing to expand our health club and retail outlets over the next 12 months and based on the speed and high quality of the finish, we will look to work with Barlows again."

Barlows' managing director, Lee Walker, said: "The image of the construction industry desperately needs an overhaul and Barlows is striving to achieve that. The success of our JJB project is a prime example of how construction and refurbishment can be undertaken successfully, reducing the downtime for the client, finishing on budget and importantly, not compromising on quality. We are currently working with other leading retailers to provide them with the same level of service, current customers include Marks and Spencer, McDonald's, BP and BAA."