bovis lend lease

Suppliers that possess good customer service skills and can carry out an installation without being micro managed are two of the most important skills a supplier requires when working with a Main Contractor. One company that agrees with this statement is Bovis Lend Lease, one of the world's leading Project and Construction Management companies.

In order to work with Bovis Lend Lease, preferred suppliers need to meet the criteria laid out in the company's supply chain selection process. The supplier not only needs to prove that they can supply quality products but also that they can meet Health and Safety requirements and possess the skills and management capabilities to oversee the project. A supplier who is unable to perform could create programme delays and financial penalties.

"Each project carries liquidated and ascertained damages (LADs), which means we can be penalised with a fixed sum of money for each day the project remains incomplete. The introduction of financial penalties reinforces the need to employ the services of suppliers who can meet deadlines, manage the installation safely and to the required quality," says Bovis Lend Lease Project Manger Jeremy Gill.

All Works Contractor elements on a project carry LADs (proportionate to their value), even signage. The signage package is usually the last element of works which is designed and tendered by the Project Team, often it is rushed through, however it has a significant impact for the end user of the building. It's often perceived that the design, manufacture and installation of signage will be straight forward however this is not always the case.

Three years ago Bovis Lend Lease won the tender to fit out a prestigious office in London for an international financial institution. A part of the fit out to transform this building into 47,500m² of quality office space and corporate facilities was the installation of architectural signage.

"The implementation of the signage is one of the smallest parts of this particular refit which has eight phases, designed by three different architects. However the signage comes at the end of each phase and if it isn't managed correctly, could incur financial penalties for the delay in phase completion," explains Julia Kitchen, Signage Package Manager for Bovis Lend Lease.

Unfortunately, during Phases One and Two, Julia encountered a number of problems with the signage suppliers. The original signage company which had won the tender unfortunately ceased trading and the replacement company failed to meet the standard of service needed for this type of project.

Julia had to go out to tender out again to three sign companies which included Signbox Limited who were able to supply exactly the same Modular Sign System made from Stove Enamelled Aluminium with Screen Printed Graphics to meet the design brief.

Through their involvement with high profile architectural projects which have led to numerous industry awards, Signbox is recognised as one of the most innovative companies of its kind in the UK. They successfully won the tender following the stringent procurement process which included a workshop process audit, a separate Health and Safety audit, review of samples and an interview with the proposed key Signbox personnel on the project.

Neil Devery, Business Development Manager of Signbox comments:

"The audit provided Signbox with a fantastic opportunity to examine our business practice by making sure our health and safety standards, plus project management skills were of the highest order. We were also delighted to be able to offer Bovis Lend Lease some cost saving suggestions. By digitally printing some of the sign types, we preserved the quality of the signage whilst delivering cost effectiveness."

Once appointed Signbox were required to react quickly to meet the programme. Signbox demonstrated that they had the necessary skills to draw up artwork and design schedules for sign off, whilst on site there were minor defects and minimal issues.

"The fact Signbox could work independently without me or the architect intervening by understanding the design information was a relief. The installation crew was experienced and during snagging virtually none of the signs were defective unlike Phase Two where 120 signs had to be replaced," reflects Julia.

To date, Signbox have completed the installation of the sign system for three of the phases and introduced bespoke sign guides for each phase, to help the Client order additional signs with minimal effort in the after sales service which Signbox provides.

"By taking a proactive management role in the installation of the signage system and by delivering the signs on time means Bovis Lend Lease and the architect involved for each phase has been able to concentrate on other areas. Before Signbox were onboard we had to manage the signage package ourselves," says Julia.

As a result of this experience, both Julia and Jeremy agree that more emphasis should be placed on signage within a job due to its complexity and multitude of details.

"If the signage is incorrect or incomplete it impacts upon the end user as this is one of the first things they see when they walk into a building," stresses Jeremy. "Signage has the same impact as furniture, if it looks wrong and does not perform it function it can spoil the end product, which can reflect badly on the Project Team."

By finding a supplier that excelled in customer service and project management removed any uncertainty that Julia had about finishing each phase on time.

"Signbox have really set the precedent for signage suppliers with their initiative and level of project management," concludes Julia.