Contract or Co-Operation? insights from beyond construction: Collaboration - The honda experience

Abstract

This paper takes as a case study the construction of a new European car plant at Swindon for Honda of the UK (Manufacturing) Ltd (the NEP). In October 2002, the new plant was awarded the British Construction Industry Award for a Building Project. The judges commented: The ‘one team one goal’ culture of openness and transparency at Honda’s New European Plant, and the company’s refusal to accept the status quo, has been rewarded with a building cost of only £701/sqm – a 40% improvement on the cost of the original plant at Swindon completed nine years earlier. Outside the plant is an anonymous shed, which would not be in contention for any architectural beauty award. Inside it is an incredible three dimensional jigsaw of services dedicated to the rapid and economical assembly of high quality cars.