Speedy offers 'lean site' consultancy to contractors

UK rental company Speedy has launched a site consultancy service, Lean Site, to advise contractors on how to operate efficient and lean onsite operations and reduce costs.

Speedy is offering the service in cooperation with consultant Renault-Nissan Consulting (RNC) using techniques developed in the automotive industry. Speedy said a ‘lean-site' audit at one of its own service centres led to a 58% increase in productivity, improved maintenance procedures and greatly reduced capital expenditure on equipment.

The company said lean processes have been widely adopted by many industries but remain relatively new in construction.

"Lean Site helps to remove unnecessary materials and manpower waste by losing the ‘fat' from how things are done, thereby reducing environmental impact and the cost of delivering the job", said Lee Woodward, managing director of Speedy's Training and Advisory Services division.

"Huge numbers of UK construction sites could be run far more efficiently and we're confident that the cost savings that Lean Site identifies will always outweigh the investment, which is why contractors will only pay a fee if savings uncovered exceed the fee."

The service will be offered to contractors of all size, and customers can choose anywhere between a one-day and five-day assessment, depending on the scale of the project.

A one-day assessment would typically include a review of working practices, site access and logistics, materials usage and storage. A five-day assessment would incorporate a pre- and post-improvement environmental impact assessment.