Achieving supply chain integration within construction industry

The main driver behind the adoption of supply chain management (SCM) philosophy into the constructin industry was the successes within other industry sectors. SCM can be defined as network of different organisations, linked upstream and downsteam in a chain, aiming to produce quality and value in the services and products for the end consumers through integrated processes and activities. In order to achieve the optimised level of integration of the whole supply chain, the industry has responded in various forms. This paper will discuss different initiatives by the researchers, construction industry, and the UK government in order to achieve optimal level of supply chain integration. The paper will also discuss the concept of aggregation, and also look at other supply chain integration related concepts including client-led supply chain, knowledge about the whole supply chain, effects of procurement on integration of supply chain, etc. The paper will give a brief overview and initial findings of a project undertaken by the authors, and also include examples from the UK construction industry on bundling of supply and demand