TEAM Players
Ted Whitfield , Director of Construction
TED WHITFIELD has returned to the UK after pioneering The use of "L"-shaped precast wall systems for multi-storey Application in Malaysia and China. Ted is TEAM's Director of Construction, and a chartered quantity surveyor. He led a consortium to purchase systems builder Elcon International in 1995, and he has now brought his expertise in modern methods of construction to TEAM. Ted says: "Our technology is unique to the UK building industry which I believe will help to cut costs and lead to a greater supply of affordable homes."
Q Construction methods on building sites have barely changed in two centuries. Why is TEAM different?
Ted: TEAM is totally focused on innovation and doing things differently. The UK construction industry has proved itself to be innovative and efficient when it comes to large-scale commercial or infrastructure projects, but never in the residential sector. From a competitive viewpoint, the residential market has not needed to be competitive, as long as you have a land bank. With property prices at an unreachable level for most would-be occupiers, change is in the air. The TEAM way, in embracing modern methods of construction (MMC) technology in all its forms, and a determination to align construction methods with those in manufacturing, is that change and is why TEAM is different.
Q The norm for labour productivity in the building industry is 54%. Can TEAM beat that?
Ted: Yes, it can and it will. I have had the opportunity at first hand, in seeing how efficiencies can be vastly improved by using a systemised approach. I know that the "L"-shaped wall panel system can halve the time it takes to build apartment structures. With a dry fit-out and the use of off-site manufacturing techniques in the finishing works, a massive time saving can be achieved using fewer site staff. This has to beat any existing productivity norms.
Q The government's White Paper "Achieving Excellence in Construction" reports a 10% wastage rate for materials alone. By how much will TEAM's modern methods reduce waste?
Ted: Our standardised approach is the key. In the past, 'standardising' was interpreted to mean a uniform appearance. But modern technology means we can combine quality architecture with efficient production. We will build Sutton's Wharf in two-thirds of the time it would take using conventional methods.
The cash savings are significant. The banks would consider it normal to build the project for £54m. We estimate that by adopting our systemised and standardised approach it will cost us £49m. That means a minimum 12% saving in total construction costs, which is why we can price our homes at affordable levels.
Q TEAM aims to add 10,000 homes a year to the UK's housing stock. Aren't you relying on more than pre-fabricated walls and floors?
Instead of clogging up residential roads around construction sites, we will assemble all our key components in this one place. The close proximity of the depot to our existing and potential sites ensures rapid just-in-time deliveries to the construction sites.
Increasing the rate of output is attractive for our supply chain partners. Profitability, for manufacturers and merchants, is based on increasing the volume of sales. Achieving a higher level of efficiency is also good news for the people who will buy or rent our homes - we cut costs while raising the quality of houses and apartments.
To deliver on its promise of affordable homes, TEAM is striving to halve the time it takes to build apartment blocks.
Q TEAM is aiming to be the best in the world. Is that achievable?
Ted: Yes. The UK has the oldest and most expensive housing in Western Europe. The quality of much of the newly built stock is generally below that of comparable countries who have a longer history in off-site technology. The construction industry needs to aim to build houses in half the time and at half the cost that it takes today. That can only be achieved by using modern methods, and we are striving to set the pace for the rest of the industry.
We need partners to work with us, of course. Obstacles need to be cleared. One difficulty is the out-dated attitude of mortgage companies towards modern methods of construction, but the government has produced a formula that is beginning to overcome that prejudice.