As the Built Environment continues to prosper on a global scale, the UK is becoming an attractive proposition for software and technology vendors to flourish. Competition within the sector has rocketed, with companies from the United States and wider European regions increasing international opposition.

Being a newbie in the Built Environment doesn’t require you to stand in front of the office and deliver an icebreaker. But without a strategy, defined market, leading talent and disruptive product, you won’t make it through your probation period.

At this year’s Digital Construction Week, companies will go head-to-head to demonstrate and exhibit some of the industries leading technology and software. I’ve selected a handful of my ‘ones to watch’ who are continuing to grow their UK presence. Watch this space.

The newbies

Procore are arguably the biggest worry for UK based project management software providers. Recently awarded a top 5 place on Forbes Cloud 100 list, Procore are dominating the US construction market competing successfully Aconex, Trimble and Plangrid. Having relocated several US employees to London, they’re determined to replicate their success in the UK.

coBuilder is a leading provider of construction management, collaboration and BIM software with offices across Europe and the US. They strive to digitise the construction industry and are gradually implementing their solutions internationally. Attending this year’s DCW, coBuilder will be exhibiting their goBIM platform which allows manufacturers to export BIM-ready data in common data formats.

SDS/2 has the mammoth task of dethroning Tekla in the UK. After they were acquired by the Nemetschek Group in 2016, SDS/2 has enjoyed a successful expansion period introducing their steel and concrete BIM software to Europe. Already highly regarded in the US where they successfully compete against Tekla, the UK will prove a much tougher market to crack.

Bluebeam are also part of the Nemetschek revolution. A provider of document management software for the AEC space, they joined the Nemetschek Group in 2014. Since then, Bluebeam has expanded its operations into the UK and are highly regarded as the leading provider of PDF software. Amongst various competitors, Bluebeam will have to withhold stern competition from fellow newcomers Plangrid and Procore to succeed in the UK market.

AllPlan completes a trio of Nemetschek organisations who have entered the UK market. AllPlan are a provider of BIM, design and visualization software specifically for AEC firms. Competitors include some of the biggest names in the Built Environment, including Autodesk, Trimble and Bentley Systems. Against all odds, AllPlan are thriving in the UK and have onboarded some of Digital Construction’s biggest names who are driving digital transformation across the industry.

Plangrid are a provider of construction productivity software for the commercial and heavy civil sector. Opened in 2011 and with annual revenues of circa $16M, Plangrid has been used on over a million projects around the world. Having opened offices in North America, Australia, and Hong Kong, they have been quietly growing their UK presence over the past few years.

Digital Construction Week 2018

Many of the UK Digital Construction newbies are sponsoring and exhibiting alongside their competitors at this year’s Digital Construction Week 2018, where the industries leading technology and software will be displayed. You can learn more about what to expect by reading my latest blog here.

We are privileged to work with many of these leading Digital Construction companies on some of the UK’s most exciting career opportunities, supporting their UK expansion. Attending this years DCW? Let’s meet! Feel free to contact me at joe.coleman@fmctalent.com or call me on +44 (0) 1522 812 119.