A client’s perspective of design for manufacture and assembly in the UK water industry

Abstract

UK water companies are under increasing pressure from regulators, customers and tightening legislation to deliver more for less. Design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) has proven to deliver efficiencies in other sectors including construction and manufacturing. Faced with increasing financial constraints, many water industry companies are now looking to gain the benefits of DfMA. A study was undertaken to summarise the processes adopted by one of the UK’s largest water companies to achieve the benefits of DfMA. The company sees DfMA as an efficiency strategy in delivering its investment programme. To enable, lead and drive this strategy, the company implemented a client-led DfMA change programme supported by collaboration with key supply partners including contractors, consultants and suppliers. DfMA forms part of a wider strategic shift at the company comprising better digital data management and a design-and-build contract strategy. These changes will drive efficiencies across the investment program...