Latest News

Mears Group has gained Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 compliance, in line with the Government’s new requirements for centrally-procured construction projects, which came into effect in April.The Mears approach to implementing a compliant BIM framework was based upon satisfying the requirements of PAS 91 and demonstrating competence in BIM and collaborative information exchange.Compliance was gained in collaboration with BIM Academy, set up by Northumbria University and Ryder Architecture in 2010, which provides some of the best BIM consultancy, research and training available in the UK.Tony Smith, Managing Director of Mears Facilities Management Division, said: “I cannot emphasise enough how much the role training played in ensuring we obtained the necessary skills, developed the right systems and remove barriers to ensuring safe project collaboration and information exchange.“The Virtual Project workshop, developed and delivered by BIM Academy, provided an immersive real-time exercise for our team. It let us learn about BIM software and management processes in a collaborative project environment and understand the challenges, which BIM can help resolve. It gave us the confidence to operate expertly in the digital construction landscape.”Peter Barker, BIM Academy Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have supported Mears in their journey to BIM adoption. They are highly progressive in their thinking on the opportunities presented by BIM for Facilities Management and the value it can bring to their customers and their business.”Mears is already looking towards BIM Level 3 compliance and is well advanced with developing an Asset Management Systems based on the requirements of ISO 55000. The ‘Better Outcomes’ system aims to achieve the Government’s aim, “To champion better outcomes for our built assets during the design and construction stages through Government Soft Landings powered by a Building Information Model to ensure value is achieved in the operational lifecycle of an asset” - Deborah Rowland from the Government Property Unit, March 2014.Jim Morrison, Mears Facilities Management Operations Director, explained: “We regard the Government Soft Landings framework as applicable to all projects, from new build to existing buildings across the whole built environment, and see BIM and Asset Management as part of the same process – one that can deliver true stakeholder value.“Stakeholders lie at the heart of Mears’ Better Outcomes, which as a control framework fits comfortably for new build projects, renovation, repairs and maintenance, as well as soft, hard and total facilities management projects.”