Innovative suppliers of sustainable construction encountered only friendly fire when they were subjected to the scrutiny of the Green Dragons in spring 2010.
The dragons took the form of procurement directors of major construction firms such as Skanska, Morgan Sindall, Bovis Lend Lease and Balfour Beatty with combined spending power of around £10Bn. Twelve small, companies based in South East England with innovative sustainable products or services in development or new to the market had 45 minutes with the dragons to explain their innovation and to understand how they can remove barriers to entry in the construction industry.
The dragons, representing the purchaser, were delighted with the event. "It was a real eye-opener for me to see what products are out there and how we need to make it easier for these to enter our supply chain" said Graham Edgell, Group Procurement Director, Morgan Sindall. "Some of the products are a no-brainer" said Nigel McKay, Procurement Director, Bovis Lend-Lease "I plan to instruct my site services contractors to buy Flow Control fuel cans". Flow Control is a reinvented plastic fuel can that does not spill of give off air emissions; it is made by a family company on the Isle of Wight. "I can see us doing business with at least 4 of the 6 suppliers we saw today" said Danny Collins, Head of Procurement for Skanska's massive building division.
The event, which was funded as part of the SUSCIN project www.suscin.org.uk also highlighted barriers to entry and the difficulty small suppliers have in entering such a complex market. The opportunity to meet senior representatives from the industry was unique. They were advised on certification levels, the right route to market and how their products may be improved.
The next stage of the scheme is for the project delivery partners Action Sustainability and the Centre for Sustainable Design www.cfsd.org to shortlist 6 companies to enter into more detailed discussions about how to turn the momentum into tangible business for innovative sustainable suppliers in South East England. This will stimulate economic growth, create new jobs and improve environmental performance. Article written by Shaun McCarthy, Director of Action Sustainability Shaun McCarthy also writes a regular blog on supplymanagement.com - to view his blog on Green Dragons, click here >>