CONCEPT

The construction industry needs to improve efficiency if the Government's carbon targets are to be achieved. Main contractors are best placed to act as a catalyst in that improvement. Their relationship with professionals, subcontractors and suppliers provides unique access to the grass roots of the industry. Only by encouraging change at all levels is the industry going to progress. Change means encouraging organisations to work together, removing waste and practices that add no value. Of equal importance, change means encouraging innovative ideas with new products and technologies that reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency. To be a catalyst requires help. Such help is available through BEST East

The BEST East process to reduce cost, time and carbon:

• Encourage major contractors to join the programme and provide access to their supply chains.
• Provide organisations in the supply chain with knowledge, tools and culture to work in a different innovative way.
• Show organisations how to improve processes, collaboratively and in an integrated way.
• Require each organisation in the programme to determine targets and create a detailed improvement plan.
• Help each organisation implement the plan as an individual organisation or collectively on a project.
• Promote learning organisations and a learning supply chain.
• Create a network of self help and encouragement with access to all sources of knowledge and support to maintain a continuously improving supply chain.

In signing up for the BEST East programme organisations also join Build the East and go through checks to ensure they have all the basics of good business practice in place.