Procurement practices and the contractual mechanisms that underpin the fit-out and finishing sector were given a damming report at the FIS AGM and Regional Conference in October.
Initial findings of research conducted by FIS, Barbour ABI, AMA Research and the University of Reading were presented by Professor Stuart Green. In his appraisal, Stuart, who has been leading the research, raised serious questions about time allocation in procurement and tendering processes. Of particular concern is the way that risks are routinely pushed down the supply chain.
He concluded that procurement currently sets the wrong tone to support positive transformation and described the contractual nature of the sector as a “disaster zone”.
The research was commissioned to gain a better understanding of how the fit-out, finishes and interiors sector can deliver better value and improve supply chain relationships through a focus on procurement. Whilst previous research has been published on mainstream construction procurement, such studies often fail to address the experienced realities of the £10 billion specialist finishes and interiors sector. FIS recognises that more needs to be done to understand how procurement practices are affecting the fast-moving and seemingly ever accelerating fit-out sector.
You can read the key findings of the report here.
