"The most professional
integrated contractor network in the country" grows in stature
as the first Chartered PRO-net™ Contractors are announced by Bekaert
Fencing.
Complementing the established COMPASS*
Charter system, the PRO-net™ Charter
is designed to significantly raise standards in the fencing sector
through a commitment to best practice, continuous improvement and
ongoing KPI measurement. Bekaert Fencing claims that the new Chartered
status will provide a means of demonstrating to clients, main contractors
and other supply chain players that its holders are best-of-breed
and committed to continuous improvement and partnering.
Charter contractors must commit to a broad range
of Charter elements designed to instil the necessary cultural,
managerial and functional changes necessary for continuous improvement
and truly integrated working. The Charter compliance requirements
include KPI measurement, site auditing, education, training, financial
standing and technical competence. A detailed Code of Conduct governs
standards of ethical and business conduct and all Chartered companies
are subject to a rigourous annual review conducted by an independent
panel of experts.
According to Mike Pollard, Marketing Director
at Bekaert Fencing and the mastermind behind the PRO-netT scheme, the attainment of
Charter status is a now a mandatory prerequisite for all Bekaert PRO-net™ contractors: "It is a requirement for all PRO-net™Contractors
to become Chartered within 12 months of becoming part of the network," he
says. "By making this a compulsory condition we now believe we
are operating the most professional integrated contractor network
in the country."
The Bekaert PRO-net™ network was established
in 1998 and currently numbers over 50 of the country's best fencing
contractors. The network is the subject of a case study on the
Strategic Forum for Construction's new web-based Integration
Toolkit.
Pollard firmly believes that procurement
through integrated supply chains is the way ahead: "Already, many clients are starting to
procure on the basis of partnering relationships and this is a
trend that is going to accelerate as the benefits become apparent,
he says. "Clients no longer just want the lowest price, they want
guaranteed whole-life, best-value solutions from pre-assembled
supply chain modules. The introduction of the PRO-net™Charter
will make the identification, selection, selection and management
of these modules much easier."
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