Skip to main content

European digitalisation of construction industry offers roadmap for future

Europe’s leading construction industry associations are joining forces to publicise the release of a new manifesto on digitalisation. This construction industry manifesto focuses on the use of smarter construction technologies in a bid to deliver a stronger economy, an inclusive society and more efficient practises. The manifesto calls for strong political leadership from the EU, an appropriate regulatory framework on data policy and budgetary focus on digital skills, research and development and IT infrast
June 11, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Europe’s leading construction industry associations are joining forces to publicise the release of a new manifesto on digitalisation. This construction industry manifesto focuses on the use of smarter construction technologies in a bid to deliver a stronger economy, an inclusive society and more efficient practises. The manifesto calls for strong political leadership from the EU, an appropriate regulatory framework on data policy and budgetary focus on digital skills, research and development and IT infrastructure. The participants say that the construction industry can help build a stronger economy and an inclusive society by sustaining its competitiveness on the global stage.


Key bodies such as the European contractors’ association, FIEC, and the construction equipment manufacturers’ association, 3399 CECE, have announced this new focus. “The construction industry is vital for the EU economy and its products significantly impact the lifestyle and well-being of citizens. The health of the industry acts like a barometer for economic prosperity” said Kjetil Tonning, FIEC President. “With its pivotal role, innovation in the construction industry is good news for all of us and digitalisation will improve not only the processes and efficiency along the entire value chain, but also our lives as residents, commuters and workers.”

Meanwhile CECE secretary general Riccardo Viaggi said: “Digitalisation of the construction equipment sector has been a key priority for CECE. We recognise the importance of working in a value chain approach and, as the Manifesto reads, all industry representatives pledge to collaborate intensively, to lead and support the industry in order to enable a successful digital transformation of the construction industry.”

“Given that digitalisation of the industry has been a key priority in FIEC’s work programme since 2016, this collaboration with other industry associations and emerging partners from outside the industry, is a logical step, aimed at ensuring that the transformation happens smoothly, without some companies being left behind,” Tonning added. “The joint manifesto shows our commitment to this partnership, which should represent the entire value chain.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Meeting the IRF Fellows and hearing of their positive experiences
    April 23, 2019
    Morgan Morris, a master’s student at the University of Central Florida, recounts her life-changing experience as President of the 2019 Class of IRF Fellows After the short span of a week, a graduate research IRF Fellow transforms into an approachable, professional leader overflowing with inspiration and ideas. “In some ways, attending the IRF Fellows Road Scholar Program is comparable to going to an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. You are not sure what exactly you signed up for, but in the end, you rea
  • Volvo CE machines in the heat of Qatar
    May 14, 2018
    Construction machines from Volvo CE are helping to build a city in the desert in Qatar. The equipment is being used to build the sustainable city of Lusail, located to the north of Doha, Qatar. In temperatures reaching up to 50°C, over 240 Volvo machines have been hard at work, coping with 24-hour days, based on a three-shift cycle building a city designed to support 250,000 residents. Part of Qatar’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Middle Eastern state into a society capable of achieving
  • European Construction Industry Federation, FIEC, concerned about market
    June 16, 2014
    According to the European Construction Industry Federation, FIEC, there is light at the end of the tunnel in terms of market activity. The FIEC estimates a decline of 2.3% in overall EU construction activity in 2013 but forecasts stabilisation of in 2014 with market gains of 0.1% expected overall. “There can be no growth without investment!” warned FIEC vice president Jacques Huillard, responsible for economic issues. He presented FIEC’s annual statistics prior to the FIEC’s Congress. “The policy of austeri
  • Road user subscriptions will fund the road ecosystems of the future says ERF Lab
    December 14, 2018
    The highway of the future will not be a physical asset created and maintained by the construction industry … it will increasingly be seen as part of an emerging global services sector. “Every day we hear about Mobility as a Service (MaaS), but what about Roads as a Service?” says Christophe Nicodème, general director of the European Union Road Federation (ERF). “The role of the road is changing. We need to think much more carefully about planning (highway) infrastructure in terms of people’s needs. We must