Our first topic for discussion is around the opportunity for using split packages when procuring a glazed façade. Traditionally main contractors and developers would look to place one order with a specialist fabrication sub-contractor covering the supply, manufacture and installation.
As the complexity of projects has increased, problems have arisen around the coordination of the works. Most notably these issues increase once you get to site. We often see an incredible amount of effort and care taken in the design and procurement of projects only for the installation to fail once the project moves on to site. This is often due to a lack of consideration and planning for the installation phase where relatively simple mistakes like poor delivery planning, incorrect/missing materials or not having a robust programme, can result in significant issues which are then compounded due to the typically demanding construction programmes.
The skills shortage within the industry is something that we all see and feel on an almost daily basis and this is in the background to increasingly complex façade designs and quality standards. Delivering the required expertise and quality across the board, from design through to installation, requires a team that is almost impossible to find. There just aren’t enough skilled enough individuals to provide the service levels across the industry.
In response to this, specialisation is a growing trend in the construction sector with companies increasingly focusing on their strengths. We see complex façade design often sub-contracted to specialist design houses, we see centralised supply chains, we see fabricators utilising specialist machinery with eye watering price tags, and we see a growing demand for specialist management of the installation.
The industry is changing and there is a growing realisation that focusing on sub-contractor strengths can lead to positive results, both in terms of performance and also due to significant cost savings. Splitting the façade into separate packages can allow for greater competition in the procurement process, potentially leading to cost savings for developers. It also allows companies to focus on their strengths and areas of expertise, resulting in higher quality and more efficient delivery of the project.
Separate packages could traditionally result in problems due to lack of control with elements falling between the two. For example who is responsible for coordinating the deliveries between the factory and the installation team? Who rectifies faults when something is fabricated incorrectly or materials are missing? Who communicates with the design team when a situation on site is different to the design? Who is responsible for designing and manufacturing project-specific bracketry and pressings?
All of this can all be controlled by having a dedicated installation management team in place with the relevant experience, technical expertise and insurances.
Overall, while there are challenges in implementing split packages, the benefits are clear, particularly for complex façade projects where the installation phase is critical to the success of the project.
