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Centres of construction innovation tool launched
Image: Dreamstime/Nils Ackermann
A tool that locates centres of construction innovation has been launched by the Supply Chain School, working with Build Offsite.
The Smart Construction Network links up innovation and
R&D organisations and universities that help the construction industry
build smarter using a free and easy-to-use tool (https://www.smartconstructionnetwork.org.uk).
More than 20 organisations are already part of the network,
including the Manufacturing Technology Centre, National Composites Centre, and
Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, and the Universities of Cambridge,
Reading, Salford, and Huddersfield.
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The network is a response to a Construction Leadership
Council review that identified a need for centres of excellence to support the
uptake of smart construction techniques, materials, and processes among
construction suppliers, subcontractors, and contractors.
Housing Forum chief executive Shelagh Grant is the chair of
the network. She said: “We know there are many construction businesses out
there that would like to make the journey towards smarter construction, but are
perhaps uncertain about how and where to begin that journey.
“Across the Smart Construction Network, our members offer an
extensive range of world-leading expertise. In collaborating to create this
free digital resource, we want to help accelerate the pace of transformation in
our sector by making it easier for businesses of all sizes to identify and
access the type of expertise and support that is right for them.”
At the launch of the network, Construction Innovation Hub
programme director Keith Waller said: “Collaboration between the universities
and research centres that are leading innovation in our sector is essential to
help construction businesses accelerate and focus their investment on R&D.
The Smart Construction Network provides a simple, quick and easily accessible
way for businesses to find those centres with the right knowledge local to
them.”
The network should help the industry address the government’s
goal to “build back better”, which will require improved skills, processes,
techniques, and materials to achieve higher performing buildings and
infrastructure.
Ian Heptonstall, director of the Supply Chain School,
commented: “Build back better is a great phrase, but to do this, we as an
industry need to do things differently. That means we need to innovate and
invest in research and development. The Smart Construction Network will allow
businesses large and small to engage with the organisations leading the
thinking in innovative construction techniques, materials, and processes.
Through this knowledge and collaboration, we hope to see an acceleration in
innovation.”
The January/February 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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