Good News for Government's new Industrial Strategy as NBS Reports Rise in Manufacturers Going Digital
LONDON, September 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
An increasing number of manufacturers are making their products available digitally in response to the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as an essential business process within the construction industry, according to NBS, part of RIBA Enterprises.
Recognised as the primary source of generic and proprietary BIM objects, the NBS National BIM Library has seen a surge in interest from manufacturers keen to create objects that can be easily downloaded and imported into the building design and specification process.
The trend towards digital conversion is welcome news for the Government, which has placed advancements in technology and the supply chain at the heart of Construction 2025, its industrial strategy for the UK construction sector published on the 2nd July 2013.
Creating a competitive advantage in smart construction and digital design, through the widespread implementation of BIM, is identified by the strategy as key to the UK grabbing its share of a global construction market, which is forecast to grow by over 70% by 2025.
With the availability of digital information integral to more effective design for manufacture and assembly, the expansion of the NBS National BIM Library is a positive indicator that the construction industry is waking up to the enormous benefits of sharing fully transparent, high quality data across the supply chain.
More than 50 manufacturers have now signed up to the award-winning service including market leading brands such as Celotex, Kingspan and Rockwool.
The NBS National BIM Library allows architects, designers and other construction professionals to access BIM objects for free, both in industry-neutral IFC format and formats compatible with leading software such as Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Tekla, Bentley AECOsim Building Designer and Nemetschek Vectorworks.
Since its launch in March 2012, the service has attracted 6,000 registered users who have downloaded in excess of 100,000 BIM objects.
Later this month, NBS will, in an industry first, be making sample M&E generic objects available, as it begins the roll-out of a full M&E library of BIM objects.
These developments are being led by Ian Chapman, the newly appointed Director of National BIM Library, who was formerly Head of Specification at NBS.
Ian Chapman, said: "The Government's requirement for collaborative 3D BIM as a minimum for projects by 2016 has meant that more and more manufacturers are looking at how to digitise their products, so that this information can be used in the design, construction and operation of buildings.
Some manufacturers are well on the way in terms of their BIM journey but others have still to understand their important role in the process and the quality of digital information their customers will require going forward."
Tim Clark, Group Specification Director at Rockwool, said:
"Understanding BIM and delivering the best possible service and information to our clients has so far been a long yet interesting journey. With the NBS National BIM Library, we have created a first class selection of our products and solutions and plan to continue the investment and expansion of our resource during 2014."
NOTES TO EDITORS
About NBS
NBS, expert providers of technical information for construction industry professionals, offers essential, innovative products and services, highly valued by those working in architecture, construction, design and engineering.
The premier source of construction-related information, NBS has produced the recognised national standard specification system for the UK for over 35 years. It provides solutions for a broad range of new build, refurbishment, retrofit, landscaping and domestic projects for construction professionals. Delivered within a powerful software package, NBS's specification products continue to develop, leading an evolution of the specification and procurement process for buildings in the UK and overseas. NBS also provides solutions for contract administration and project information management.
NBS produces a range of information delivery products, including The Construction Information Service, a joint venture with IHS. Since 2005, NBS has published the Building Regulations' Approved Documents for England and Wales. NBS TV provides specialist learning services for individuals and organisations working in the architecture, design and construction industry, offering unique high quality video content.
NBS Create is a ground-breaking new specification tool that ensures all documentation works together intelligently throughout the entire project timeline, from concept stage to completion and beyond, to save time and money.
More than 5,000 offices across the UK subscribe to NBS products, including 96 of the top 100 AJ practices. NBS is part of RIBA Enterprises Ltd, the commercial arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). RIBA Enterprises employs 250 staff and has offices in London, Newcastle upon Tyne and Newark.
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