Constructionline

Constructionline is a register for pre-qualified contractors and consultants used by the construction industry of the United Kingdom. The database contains details for over 46,000 suppliers and is accessed by more than 4,000 buyer organisations. Originally established by the UK government in 1998, it was later acquired and operated by Capita before being bought by Warburg Pincus in June 2018.

History

The 1994 Latham Report recommended the establishment of a national database of pre-qualification information which all public sector procurers could use.[1]

Constructionline was established in 1998 by the UK government to provide a single point of reference for all pre-qualification data for the construction industry. It was originally operated under a concession agreement by Capita.[2] In July 2014 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced it was looking to sell the database and in January 2015 it was subsequently acquired outright by Capita for £35m.[3]

Constructionline provides procurement and supply chain management services, helping buyers source suppliers. As well as its database, Constructionline hosted Meet the Buyer and supplier engagement events across the UK. On 31 January 2018, Capita announced it planned to sell Constructionline as part of a transformation programme including disposal of non-core assets and cost cutting.[4] In June 2018, it was reported that Constructionline had been sold to private equity investor Warburg Pincus for £160m.[5]

Criticisms

Constructionline has faced criticisms from construction bodies. Many public sector clients continued to use their own bespoke pre-qualification procedures, because Constructionline relied on self-certification and did not command clients' confidence.[1] In 2008, the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee said Constructionline had "proved unsatisfactory for the industry. The Government should either make it work, or abandon it."[1] Constructionline was also criticised for increasing specialist contractors' costs by insisting on accreditation to the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) rather than compliance.[6]

References
  1. "House of Commons Business and Enterprise Select Committee Ninth Report, July 2008". Parliament UK. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  2. "CAPITA WINS CONTRACT TO RUN ONLINE CONSTRUCTION REGISTER". lgcplus.com. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  3. "Capita announced as new owner of Constructionline". gov.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  4. Prior, Grant (31 January 2018). "Capita puts Constructionline up for sale". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  5. Prior, Grant (19 June 2018). "Capita sells Constructionline to private equity giant". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  6. Martin, Arlene (24 July 2008). "Constructionline under fire in strategic review". H&V News. Retrieved 31 January 2018.


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