When we set up Lynas Engineers seven years ago we made a decision that we were going to focus the business on what we, as a team, were good at, and that we would grow the business with people with that same skillset.
This is of course, a double-edged sword. We are, by definition, limiting the type of work we can deliver with the team; but it also means that, as a management team, we maintain an understanding and knowledge to help us successfully deliver our projects with significant experience and skill.
The Lynas Engineers team is made up of people with many years’ experience of designing and delivering highways, drainage and transportation infrastructure schemes; in order to allow us to bid for, and successfully deliver multi-disciplinary schemes, or indeed most large highway schemes, we needed to be able to call on the skills of other specialists. Working collaboratively with other organisations is not a new concept, but could be called an underused solution to overcoming barriers we have all faced trying to secure new work.
Typically, a highways scheme may require input from town planners, transport planners, various survey teams, environmental specialists, project and cost management, geotechnical engineers, drainage engineers, structural engineers, lighting and electrical engineers, landscape architects, contractors etc. Traditionally these skills are brought together by the ‘highway design team’ – something I have done in my roles with large consultancies. We were very keen that we should be able to deliver these schemes in the same way as the major consultancies but importantly, with the personal touch of an SME.
During our years of working at various companies on a wide range of projects we had built up an extensive list of contacts, so it seemed obvious to use the people that we knew and trusted as a starting point for what became our supply chain. I use the word “people” specifically because I believe it is the relationships that you build with your supply chain that make it successful.
A truly successful supply chain also works in reverse, with opportunities and work going both ways, and when it is most successful it becomes a network, with all the members benefitting from being part of the group. It was this approach that led to the setting up of our Preferred Partners initiative.
The Preferred Partners scheme was set up to bring together SMEs from the North East, allowing us to combine the skills of different partners so that we are able to deliver on projects that would previously have been inaccessible to the individual companies alone. We wanted to find a solution that allowed smaller businesses to collaborate and allow local companies to work on these iconic local projects.
This approach to supply chain engagement has allowed us to build better relationships. As part of this, we have hosted quarterly meetings, allowing us to meet up and discuss issues that are affecting the construction industry, and brought in decision-makers and subject experts to present and lead the discussions.
Last month, I was incredibly proud to co-host the first Constructing Links event in Redcar with Just Williams, bringing together many of our Preferred Partners with companies from the greater supply chain to champion a more collaborative way of working. With a full and buzzing room, it was great to see new partnerships forming and existing ones strengthening. This is why supply chain needs to be (and should be) built on relationships alongside other key factors – our people, our individual skills and experiences are what make our teams unique – and when we bring together multiple, unique teams you are creating an environment that nurtures innovation, creativity and ultimately works better and more sustainably too.
Preferred Partners is a thriving programme, and seeing Constructing Links come to life as an exhibition and networking event has allowed me and my team to see the potential and benefits of working collaboratively; and our Partners would also agree. These relationships are what is key to a truly sustainable supply chain and what pave the way for greater opportunities across the region and beyond.
lynasengineers.com