Fisher Engineering implements BIM strategy through Tekla

Monday, 23 March 2009

Despite the downturn in the construction industry, Fisher Engineering have seen fit to invest in long-term improvement of structural engineering processes. Tekla UK Ltd recently signed a frame agreement to replace all of Fisher's current structural design and detailing software licences with Tekla Structures' Building Information Modelling (BIM) software licences and to expand their usage, too. The plan is to implement the agreement over a two-year period. 
 
Fisher Engineering is recognised as one of Europe's leading constructional steel fabricators, having been involved in the steelwork industry for fifty years. They are the largest steelwork contractor in Northern Ireland and one of the top 10 in the UK, and are also seen as one of the most forward-thinking companies in their field. Towards the end of 2007 the Fisher Engineering business was acquired by the Severfield Rowen group, one of the largest steelwork contractors in Europe.
 
"The deal with Fisher Engineering shows that they're confident in the market and want to invest in their long-term future with Tekla Structures," says Andrew Bellerby, Managing Director of Tekla UK. "Building Information Modelling processes on projects are becoming more commonplace and Fisher Engineering has seen Tekla at the forefront of this move. They have recognised the potential with the Tekla BIM solution to improve their efficiency further internally and on the projects they are involved with."

Tekla will be working closely with Fisher Engineering to implement the Tekla BIM solution and help streamline their processes further, including closer collaboration with project partners and improved workflow with their sub-contractors.
 
Keith Hall, Technical Director of Fisher Engineering Ltd comments: "The introduction of new modelling software with project deadlines on the horizon can be daunting but with careful management of the contracts we have chosen to model with Tekla Structures. Backed up by the support of Tekla's technical team we are confident that this transition will be a smooth one. We are looking forward to exploiting all that Tekla Structures BIM software has to offer for improved communication and process management of existing practices across other departments within the group." 

Tekla Structures 15 launched

Tekla is committed to delivering a new and improved software version every year, no matter the economic situation. Tekla Structures 15, available now, is the annual main version of Tekla's BIM (Building Information Modelling) solution that will help further improve design-to-construction project cooperation and delivery through enhanced modelling tools and visualisation.
 
Tekla sees that the recession is the time to start preparing for the next upturn, by reviewing work processes and learning to use the most advanced tools. The new features in Tekla Structures 15 software allow modelling and detailing again more intuitively, creating better drawings and other output, as well as improving construction project collaboration, management and delivery through enhanced interoperability and visualisation. In addition, there is a 64-bit version of Tekla Structures 15 available that allows tackling even bigger projects than before. To help users benefit from the new features more quickly, Tekla provides online videos and tutorials for efficient self-learning.
 
"In the current economic situation, companies in the AEC industry can create significant competitive advantage by streamlining their processes through mastering the latest technology," says Tekla Executive Vice President Risto Räty. "Those who are able to use the most advanced tools will find work in a situation where costs are cut to the minimum and projects tightly competed for. Prices for Design and Detailing have already dropped up to 25%, and whoever has use of the latest, most efficient tool will be able to better meet that demand and achieve a profit margin," he concludes.
 
"The need for fast, accurate exchange of information between all members of the design team is critical," says Stuart Wardle, Associate Director of 3DS Ltd, a UK registered company marketing a range of design, detailing and development services to the steelwork construction industry. "Tekla's commitment to continually develop their software to collaborate with other construction processes has played a vital role in contributing to the success of our recent projects."

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