Overview
Laing O’Rourke had noticed overspend creeping in at its 150 Bishopsgate project, particularly around consumables and smaller items of PPE. In addition, at 43 storeys, the high rise nature of the project meant time was being lost by operatives having to attend the Stores on the basement level every time a new tool was required or when one had to be replaced.
The project saw consumables, PPE and small tools managed using AssetTagz with the App being installed on existing Laing O’Rourke mobile phones.
Laing O’Rourke saw immediate and significant improvements: consumables spend reduced by 22%, PPE usage, specifically glove usage, decreased by 42% and productivity increased by 15%.
Background
A division of the Laing O’Rourke Expanded Group, Expanded Structures is the UK leader in reinforced concrete basement, sub and superstructure frame construction. In 2019 Expanded Structures won the contract to build and oversee the construction of the concrete frame structure at the prestigious 150 Bishopsgate.
150 Bishopsgate is a 43-storey, mixed-use tower project in the City, comprising a luxury hotel, high-end flats, 5-star wellness centre and a subterranean double height ballroom.
“A high rise project such as this comes with its challenges” explains Steve Paskins, Senior Construction Manager at Expanded.
“We noticed that project overspend was creeping in, particularly around consumables. And PPE was also a problem, especially smaller items such as gloves. In addition to this, time was being lost by operatives having to attend the Stores on the basement level every time a new tool was required or when one had to be replaced. We needed tighter control over consumables and tools.”
The results
Consumables spend reduced by 22%
“There was a distinct change in the manner which the workforce treated consumable usage. Aware that the usage was being tracked, operatives were taking only the amount required for the work task, whereas previously large amounts of the same consumables would be taken, often just for ease sake.”
Requests for new PPE, specifically gloves, decreased by 42%
“While historically we dealt with larger items of PPE in a disciplined manner, smaller items of PPE often weren’t. It wasn’t uncommon to request new gloves at each shift, despite an existing pair being in suitable condition. The use of the system reversed this trend.”
Productivity increased by 15%
“We saw clear and immediate benefits around small tools: live tracking and transfer between operatives avoided time lost coming to Stores.“
The future
“The potential for the wider implementation of AssetTagz is clear. Following the completion of 150 Bishopsgate, we have gone on to implement AssetTagz at the Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station project where we are managing small tools, stock and consumables across 15 Stores on site.”
You can download the full case study here.
