Analyzing the need for offsite construction and standardization in the UK water and environmental management sectors

The benefits of Offsite construction have been well documented. However, it is mainly the building sector that has been systematically employing such techniques, rather than civil engineering sector such as water and environmental engineering. The whole construction industry is under extreme pressure to reduce cost and deliver more sustainable infrastructure. This, coupled with increasing high flood risk problems, has increased the need for overall improvements. This increasing strain is reflected in the water authorities, who are considered as 'clients' for the construction industry supply chain. During the past year there has been a great interest from leading UK water and environmental management (W&EM) firms to develop and implement Offsite in their processes. The objectives for this initiative were to minimise cost, reduce disturbance to the public and manage the environmental impact in a more sustainable way. Recently, a number of new products have entered the water and wastewater market. Such solutions, in conjunction with the re-evaluation of decision making processes within the firms, create a fertile environment for Offsite implementation. The supply chain appears to reflect this need and is working collaboratively in order to provide competitive services to its clients. This paper reports and analyses the market inclination towards Offsite construction and standardisation. Through a critical literature review, an analysis of corporate research and development strategies and an examination of specific solutions, the reasons for increasing Offsite innovation are revealed. The findings indentify innovative procurement methods and strategic planning as the primary drivers for the uptake of Offsite construction and standardisation in the sector.