SIR MICHAEL LATHAM JOINS SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATOR BUILDING INFORMATION WAREHOUSE

07 August 2000

Sir Michael Latham DL, author of the 1994 joint government and industry report Constructing the Team, is to join the board of Building Information Warehouse (theBIW.com), provider of supply chain integration services to the construction industry, from 1 September. With many client organisations adopting partnering approaches, Sir Michael will work with theBIW.com team to promote the use of co-ordinated project information as the key to effective teamwork.

The Latham report advocated partnering approaches to construction projects and recommended 'use of co-ordinated project information should be a contractual requirement'. As non-executive deputy chairman, Sir Michael will also advise BIW.com on the continually evolving information requirements of clients and their construction partners.

Sir Michael Latham said:

"Pivotal to the improvement of the image and efficiency of the construction industry is the effective sharing and coordination of project information. The industry is still a long way from adopting the most high-tech methods of communication, resulting in delay, confusion and subsequent waste.

"The Building Information Warehouse has developed an exciting and innovative solution to information sharing which will enhance the principles of partnering. Through this collaboration tool, the result is a more satisfied end user."

Managing director of Building Information Warehouse Colin Smith said:

"The Building Information Warehouse has long championed the principles of both the Latham and Egan reports to improve the efficiency within the construction industry. We are delighted to be joined by Sir Michael Latham.

"His wealth of experience and visionary leadership within the construction industry will be an invaluable asset to theBIW.com. With him as a team member we can consolidate our efforts to bring real benefits to construction clients through the improved coordination and sharing of project information."

Through its flagship product - the Project Information Channel (PIC) - theBIW.com offers clients a sophisticated web-based supply chain integration tool that supports the whole building life cycle from sketch to demolition. Each client is provided with a unique project-specific web site created around a knowledge database. This enables every project team member to create and share information securely over the internet.

Colin Smith added:

"The PIC allows us to make project information part and parcel of the building itself. It captures all the information associated with a building in a knowledge database. The client can then operate and maintain the building more efficiently, and for repeat clients the knowledge gained in initial projects allows for continuous improvement in later schemes."

"The product was developed in partnership with the UK government and several major construction industry clients, professionals and contractors, with research inputs from Salford and Loughborough universities. The PIC has been adopted by Sainsbury as its standard supply chain information tool where it's currently being used on 43 live projects by users from 186 different companies."

Notes for Editors:

• The Building Information Warehouse (www.theBIW.com) provides supply chain integration services to the global AEC (architectural, engineering and design) community. Its core services were developed in partnership with the UK government, universities, major construction industry clients, professionals and contractors. Key influences were the 1994 Latham report, "Constructing the Team", and the 1998 Egan report, "Rethinking Construction". Latham recommended improved coordination of project information; Egan wanted an integrated project process based around four key elements (product development, project implementation, partnering the supply chain and production of components). With construction industry clients, theBIW.com is working towards the achievement of these aims.
• Rather than looking at a building project from the perspective of the consultants, contractors or other professionals, theBIW.com focuses on the end product - the client's building - and aims to capture all of the information associated with it. With the Project Information Channel, the client can then operate and maintain its facility more efficiently, and - for repeat clients - knowledge gained in initial projects allows continuous improvement in later schemes.
• Sir Michael Latham has extensive experience of both government and construction industry organisations. He was author of the joint government/industry report Constructing the Team (1994) and first chairman of the Construction Industry Board taking forward the implementation of that review.
• He is an honorary fellow of nine professional institutions including the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Building and an honorary member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He holds honorary doctorates from three universities and has received many national awards for his services to the industry.
• He is non-executive chairman of Willmott Dixon, non-executive deputy chairman of J R Knowles Holdings and chairman of Partnership Sourcing, a company established in association with the CBI and the Department of Trade and Industry. He also chairs several major construction industry organisations and committees.
• He was a Member of Parliament from 1974 to 1992 when he served for nine years on the Public Accounts Committee. He has also been a member of Westminster City Council and of the GLC Housing Committee. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire.