One of the UK’s leading Specialist Engineering experts will present the critical role of the heating and ventilation industry within construction and engineering to deliver ‘more for less’ – as challenged by the coalition government, when the industry gathers at September’s HEVAR event in London.
Visitors to HEVAR will hear of opportunities for specialist contractors and key suppliers to add value within integrated teams at the outset of pilot projects, selected not on the basis of lowest price but capability, credentials and track record to deliver long-term, cost-effective sustainable solutions.

The proposals have been developed by the Specialist Engineering Construction Group (SEC Group), other members of the Specialist Engineering Alliance (CIBSE, ACE, BEAMA, BSRIA and FETA) and movers and shakers across the breadth of construction and insurance.

The presentation will be made at HEVAR by Martin Davis who was vice chairman and group commercial director of EMCOR Group UK for many years and who has been leading this initiative.

'Our proposals at HEVAR will target the huge level of waste ingrained in the construction and insurance industries, particularly arising from flawed procurement processes, needless price negotiation, and the liability culture,' said Davis.

'Evidence has been forthcoming from elsewhere in the EU, notably Belgium and the Netherlands, of the cost differential caused by over-regulation (and hence lack of innovation) in the UK, and this has been echoed by the chief construction adviser, who described the UK as one of the most expensive places to build worldwide. The proposal conservatively targets cutting costs by 15% - 20%.'

The presentation at HEVAR will suggest that the savings made by these practices should readily accommodate the now essential investment in low carbon and sustainability. Moreover, without fully integrated teams, including the specialist contractors and suppliers, there will be no prospect of delivering sustainability and lowcarbon.

Davis will also explain the exciting developments under which design solutions and cost plans will be independently 'risk assured' and hence insured by the time the project go-ahead is to be given.

Finally, he will invite H&V practitioners to be ready to participate in the pilot projects currently under consideration by both the public and the private sectors, challenging them with the opportunities for innovation, for utilising BIM, for prompt and secure cash flow, and raising expectations as to the level of reward that should be available in return for the integrated project team's successful delivery of low carbon facilities.

Further topical sessions addressing key industry issues at HEVAR include an HVCA seminar addressing 'Safe and Sound - how Health and Safety Engineering is driving the Building Services Agenda'; a panel debate on 'Renewables - the Cost and the Cash'; 'Payments as a Contractual Option' by Professor Rudi Klein and a CIBSE morning on 'The Law, The Money & You - how implementing austerity measures will keep on the right side of the law.'

The London HEVAR Exhibition will take place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster on September 22 and 23.

For further information and to pre-register to attend HEVAR and its seminars, please visit the website - www.hevar.co.uk