I
n this month’s issue we look ahead to the International Construction
Economic Forum (ICEF), a new event being run by
iC’s
publisher,
KHL Group, which takes place in Amsterdam from 20 to 22
November. Our aim from the start has been to create a conference that
can help give the construction industry a competitive edge, and we have
focussed particularly on the needs of contractors.
In putting the programme together we thought about the issues
contractors face today – particularly the challenges for companies that
work outside their national boundaries – and came up with a long list
of topics. We have tried to address as many of these as possible at this
year’s ICEF, with presentations on project financing, new legal issues,
trade issues, market forecasts and a particular focus on new technology
in the construction equipment world and new approaches to asset
management.
Another aim from the beginning was to bring in leading examples
from around the world of successful projects, and ask the contractors
involved what they did to ensure things stayed on-time and on-budget.
We have asked them to talk not only about the technical aspects of what
they do, but also how they work with clients and other stakeholders to
foster good, non-adversarial relationships. The projects being presented
at ICEF have all been shortlisted for the International Construction
Project of the Year Award, the winner of which will be announced at a
gala dinner on the evening of Thursday 21st November.
And in terms of presentations, we have sought out some of the
industry’s leading CEOs and some of its most thought-provoking
thinkers, to give their views on how construction is changing and
what contractors can do to improve their performance. Among
the leading lights at this year’s ICEF are Miguel Jurado Fernández,
general manager of contractor FCC Construcción, Zeng Guang’an,
president of equipment manufacturer Liugong, Greg Owens, CEO of
internet auction company IronPlanet, Dr Roz Buick, vice president of
technology company Trimble’s heavy civil construction division and
Norty Turner, CEO of rental company Riwal.
Last but not least, we are delighted that the keynote address will be
given by José María Aznar, the former Spanish Prime Minister, who will
discuss infrastructure investment in austere times, globalisation and the
importance of Latin America.
But conferences are about more than the speakers on the programme.
At ICEF we will also provide plenty of time for networking and
socialising. One of the things we think makes ICEF unique is that
it will bring together a huge range of people from up and down the
construction supply chain. We feel groups of similar companies in
the industry are good at talking to themselves and there is a long list
of conferences and trade shows that allow contractors to talk to other
contractors, or equipment manufacturers to talk to other equipment
manufacturers.
However, ICEF will stand apart because it will bring a wide range of
stakeholders together. This in itself should provide great opportunities
to learn from other parts of the industry and to build new contacts.
Chris Sleight
Editor
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International Construction
(USPS No: 021-895)
is published monthly by KHL Group and
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Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage
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International Construction
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ISSN No: 0020-6415
USPS No: 021-895
© Copyright KHL Group 2013
COMMENT
3
october 2013
international
construction
The paper in this magazine originates from timber that
is sourced from sustainable forests, managed to strict
environmental, social, and economic standards. The
manufacturing mill has both FSC & PEFC certification,
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