A robust efficiency on contractual method, collaboration and communication has catapulted Scottish Water to the highest of the 2023 annual water firm survey carried out by British Water.
Key findings from the survey embody:
- Final 12 months’s joint lowest performing water firm, Southern Water, has risen by one place to tenth, whereas Northern Eire Water stays in final place
- The best scoring firm for innovation stays Northumbrian Water
- Essentially the most vital drop was Anglian Water, down from 2nd place in 2022 to eighth in 2023
- Essentially the most vital rise was Severn Trent Water, which rose from tenth place final 12 months to fifth in 2023
British Water’s annual UK Water Firm Efficiency Survey asks contractors, consultants and suppliers to fee their shoppers’ efficiency in 12 areas, together with professionalism, contractual method and communication.
Innovation continues to be the bottom scoring space – at a time when there are widespread requires water firms to search out new methods of working to handle key challenges. The typical rating for innovation was 6.4, though it has risen barely from final 12 months’s common rating of 6.2 out of ten.
Northumbrian Water led the pack with a mean innovation rating of seven.9, whereas Northern Eire Water and South West Water have been considerably beneath the business common, every scoring 5.4.
“It is important that cultures that foster a wholesome ecosystem through which provide chain firms can function and innovate successfully are embedded inside and throughout water firms, for the very best outcomes for purchasers and the setting,” stated Lila Thompson, chief government of British Water. “As soon as these are in place, a thriving sector will comply with.”
“We’re persevering with to see low scores for innovation, procurement, communication and AMP transition, and it is a clear indication that work nonetheless must be completed as we method the following five-year Asset Administration Plan interval (AMP8), which begins in 2025,” added Thompson.
The second lowest scoring areas within the survey are working digitally, the power to implement workforce contingency plans to maintain operations, and the power of companions and most important contractors to comply with coverage.
The Water Business Discussion board (WIF), which operates as a impartial and impartial discussion board of British Water, tackles challenges going through the UK water sector by way of thought management and facilitated collaborative working.
WIF is wanting on the suggestions raised in British Water’s Provide Chain Job Drive on innovation, cyclicality and procurement/T&Cs and can take into account the areas highlighted in the latest survey.
Thompson welcomed the event. “WIF is an important organisation for the water business,” she stated. “It supplies a discussion board for dialogue, debate, collaboration, innovation, and thought management, which, because the survey outcomes spotlight, are crucial areas for growth throughout the sector”
British Water’s annual survey was first undertaken in early 2003 in response to firms asking for suggestions on how they have been considered by the business provide chain, and the way they have been seen to match with others. The survey seeks views of people working within the business relatively than a company standpoint.
The survey displays quite a lot of opinions throughout the provision chain at each stage of enterprise. This vary of views supplies precious insights for the business into how water firms work together with their provide chain, how the provision chain feels about this, and the progress water utilities have made over time.
Learn extra concerning the surveys and the way they are often interpreted right here.
The 2023 survey outcomes, and people from earlier years, might be seen considered right here: https://www.britishwater.co.uk/web page/SupplyChainImpactSurveys
