News on 25 October 2000
Another runner entered the race to create the definitive
e-commerce site for the construction industry yesterday. A formidable
group of property and technology companies announced the launch of an
online exchange for the £540bn European market.
The consortium, led by Stanhope plc, Rotch Property Group Ltd, Microsoft
and Commerce One Inc, claims that 'Asite' will help to transform the way
buildings are designed, procured, built and managed. The initiative will
enable the construction industry to deliver projects faster, at lower
cost and to a higher standard.
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Property
and technology players led by Stanhope, Microsoft and Commerce One
have signed an agreement to form a consortium providing one European
online marketplace for the construction industry. Left to right:
Kevin Schick,Vice President Product Marketing, Commerce One; Alastair
Mellon, Director of Strategy and Development, Asite; Peter Rogers,
Director of Stanhope plc and Chairman of Asite Mark Dodds, Strategic
Business Development Group, Microsoft Ltd.
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Peter Rogers, director of Stanhope plc and chairman of Asite
said: "For years people have been talking about the need to improve
the construction industry, and although there are some excellent examples,
overall achievement is poor - in terms of efficiency, quality and profitability.
The Internet now gives us an opportunity to address many of the industry's
problems by sharing best practice, encouraging standardisation, increasing
transparency of information and improving procurement, collaboration,
and logistics across the industry.
"Today's deal will enable us to deliver the best technology tools
for the construction industry. Microsoft's and Commerce One's unprecedented
and exclusive support demonstrates its belief in Asite's vision and commitment
to change the industry".
Asite has been developed within AIM listed PremiSys Group plc. Other participants
include the Aurora private equity fund, Intel, Compaq, Aspect Internet,
and Attenda. Asite is currently seeking investment and transaction volume
from other industry players.
The concept is to be tested early next year through a private pilot site
for a group of leading industry participants. This will be followed by
a launch to the rest of the industry in the second quarter of 2001.
