This month we spoke to Peter Webbon of the British Board of Agrément (BBA) to explore how the work the BBA does drives innovation in construction and benefits product manufacturers
This month we spoke to Peter Webbon, Sales & Marketing Director at the British Board of Agrément (BBA) . Peter delves into how the BBA drive innovation within construction, as well as helping product manufacturers manage their day-to-day responsibilities alongside larger matters, such as Brexit.
Find out more information about our webinar alongside the BBA's technical director, Bill Hewlett, at the end of this interview
Hi Peter, what is your role at the BBA and can you give an overview of the service that the BBA provides?
I joined the British Board of Agrément (BBA) as Sales and Marketing Director in 2020, at a very exciting time for the business. 2020 brought new challenges to all of us in the industry, but the organisation took the opportunity to accelerate transformation which led to significant change over the past 12 months; specifically to position the organisation to become client-focused with best-in-class communications. Heading up the Sales and Marketing strategies, my remit at the organisation is to ensure that we deliver a consistent customer experience which is engaging and value-driven, leading to long-term relationship-building with our clients, working collaboratively across the industry and driving growth within the business, so that we can continue to deliver and innovate for our clients.
For over 50 years, the BBA has been helping the construction and manufacturing industries build confidence in the solutions created, designed and implemented throughout the entire supply chain. Our primary services include Product Approval & Certification, Audit & inspection and third-party testing.
The BBA is one of the UK’s largest certification bodies regulated by UKAS (The National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom), and is a key trusted partner providing impartial research, auditing, inspection, testing and certification services that help our clients mitigate their risk through enhancing opportunities and reducing threats; ultimately making our industry safer.
How does the work that the BBA provides help drive innovation and modernisation within construction?
The world of construction is forever innovating and expanding. The BBA believes that the only way to drive change, is through working together with the entire supply chain and construction community to truly deliver results - that’s why this partnership is so important to us. Joining forces with like-minded organisations who are focussed on improving, innovating and leading from the inside means that as a unit, we are much stronger.
The increased need for product performance and safety is why third part testing is integral, which is why our service offerings have been tailored to enable clients to obtain true value, while staying confident in the knowledge that their products and systems have been tested, audited and certified by an impartial 3rd party that focusses on credibility and quality.
Because of that, BBA certification has, for over 50 years, been synonymous with product quality, meaning that our clients can launch brand new products with a stamp of credibility that enables them to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, enter new territories previously unknown to them, demonstrate true product performance especially in the development of new technology and innovation, while all at the same time, complying to building regulations and legislation. Consider it innovation – but with added peace-of-mind.
Because the industry changes constantly, so too must the way that we work, test, and certify. That’s why the BBA’s dedicated workforce is the best in their field, with in-house expertise second-to-none. Some have been with the business for over 30 years, while others join us at the start of the careers and bring new value, thought process and decision-making habits to the business to help us all evolve and serve our customers better.
How has Brexit affected the BBA and what would you say is vital for product manufacturers to keep in mind at this time?
Brexit has affected the entire industry in different ways. And we’ve certainly felt our own share of those challenges too. Because the new legislation has just come into play, our positioning has been to work closely with the Government and professional bodies such as the CPA, so that we can help all our clients understand the latest updates and what it means for them; and help them adjust to new legislation and processes as efficiently as possible.
Brexit has certainly been a huge focus for us and although our Agrément Certification is unaffected, it is still important as with any legislation that can affect the construction industry, that we keep on top of any legislative changes, so that we can provide the best service to keep our clients and the supply chain moving.
For product manufacturers specifically, it’s important to consider the transitioning period from CE Marking to UKCA Marking. This has huge implications to imports, exports and selling goods within the UK, which can be complex depending on your position and where you trade goods.
The BBA is here to help and can guide many businesses throughout the whole process.
What are you excited about achieving in your partnership with Barbour Product Search?
The strategic partnership between the BBA and Barbour Product Search will further help to connect the supply chain, driving businesses within the construction industry to move forward and beyond.
Delivering a world class service for our clients is our primary focus, be it through data or insight, this collaboration allows us to build on our own knowledge for the good of the industry.
We understand the BBA must maintains its relevance with specifiers and manufactures and this partnership supports our objectives.
The BBA is going through a period of positive transformation and growth and maintaining partnerships such as this, will keep the BBA well-balanced and at the forefront the construction industry, so that we can lead, and learn, at the same time.
Bill Hewlett – Technical Director – British Board of Agrement (BBA) Iain Mcilwee – Chief Executive – Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Peter Caplehorn - Chief Executive - Construction Products Association (CPA) Graeme Whitty - National Product Director - Willmott Dixon Construction Chair - Damon Schunmann, Strategic Consultant at Barbour ABI
December saw the publication of the government's Construction Playbook, a document that provides guidance on sourcing and contracting public works projects and programmes. While broad in scope, the document places an emphasis on “outcome-based specifications” and a will to “standardise designs, components and interfaces”.
In January the government formed a new construction products regulator which will be granted power to remove any product from the market “that presents a significant safety risk and prosecute any companies who flout the rules on product safety.”
In light of these initiatives, Barbour ABI will be holding a webinar to examine how manufacturing and procurement best practise can be improved. Topics for debate will include:
Improvements in contractor and manufacturer responsibilities and best practice for product safety and quality controls.
Digitisation & technology's role in the verification of manufacturing, product sourcing and installation
Embracing innovative, digital manufacturing approaches which have long been standard practice in other major sectors.
How the industry can standardise designs and components and whether this is always appropriate.
The role that methodologies like modern methods of construction or the Construction Innovation Hub’s Platform approach will play in influencing standardisation and aggregation of demand.