After nearly 30 years of actively supporting and promoting the interests of specialist engineering in the construction industry, and against a background of numerous representational successes, the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group will come to a close early in 2021. Following on from SEC Group, a new engineering services sector alliance will be launched which, in addition to building on the supply chain achievements of SEC Group, will encompass a wider scope of activity, including key industry themes such as zero net carbon, skills, and building safety.
Throughout its history, SEC Group has been the only body exclusively representing the interests of specialist engineering contractors across the UK and has campaigned to improve the construction industry supply chain trading environment, not least for SMEs which contribute most value to industry projects. Over the many years, SEC Group’s influence and achievements have been extensive. It is recognised by many as being a significant driver for achieving essential change throughout the construction industry.
Achievents include a key and crucial role in achieving delivery of the 1996 Construction Act and subsequent updated legislation to help eliminate industry bad practices and support the supply chain by improving payment security; championing project bank accounts – now mandated for public contracts in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and established as the default option for all government procurement; promoting new models of procurement that facilitate true collaboration through focus on quality and value while minimising waste ; continuous and robust campaigning to end the outdated practice of retentions and protect payment to supply chains.
Speaking on behalf of SEC Group members, Steve Bratt, chief executive of engineering services body ECA said: “We would like to express our gratitude to the highly effective SEC Group team for their remarkable contribution to our sector and to the wider industry. Initiatives driven by SEC Group and industry partners over many years have significantly improved the commercial landscape for the construction supply chain”.
The engineering services member bodies of SEC Group are currently working with partner organisations to create the new UK engineering services sector alliance, which will launch in early 2021. The new alliance, which will include contracting businesses and professionals from across the engineering services sector, will aim to work closely with industry bodies and initiatives across all four nations of the UK.
Further details of the new engineering services sector alliance will be announced early in the New Year.