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What is BIM?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital building process built on collaboration. Every BIM project is based on a 3D model populated with information-rich, manufacturer-specific digital replicas of products (BIM content). The data is collated into a common data environment where all project information is kept up to date and shared with stakeholders to ensure the highest level of resource efficiency.
Want to know more? Get the BIM basics in this webinar.
BIM is a billion-euro market
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Building information modeling is on a serious growth spurt. Allied Marketing Research states that the BIM market size was valued at €4,5 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach €13,7 billion by 2027. That's a whopping compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% from 2020 to 2027.
What’s fuelling the growth? For one, the pandemic enforced digital adoption and placed greater emphasis on the health and safety of built environments. Another major driver is the uptick of BIM mandates and the implementation of positive government policies encouraging the use of BIM.
Is BIM required in your markets? Get the global guide today >
230 billion square meters in new construction by 2060
Construction isn’t slowing down. Neither is the demand for building products. In fact, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs projects that we’ll build 230 billion square meters in new construction by 2060. That’s equivalent to one Paris every week, one New York City every 34 days, or roughly one Tokyo each quarter. Bah!
Such a dramatic uptick in stock doesn't just put immense pressure on our planet and public funds – but also on manufacturers to manufacture enough products and on time. So, public clients and designers are starting to look at BIM as the resource-efficient solution to the problem. And what will they need now – and even more so in the future? That’s right: access to manufacturer-specific BIM objects.
BIM adoption is soaring around the world
BIM technology has been a driving force in developing the way assets are built. Whether you’re an architect, manufacturer, or designer, it’s increasingly likely that your peers are using BIM or could be expected to use it in the near future.
The rate of BIM uptake in the construction and industrial sectors has accelerated over recent years. Statistica states that UK construction professionals using the tool have risen from 13% in 2011 to 73% in 2020. In Japan, 54% of professionals have used it.
Indeed, with BIM being progressively covered by nationwide government mandates, notably including the UK, Mexico, Spain, Russia, and Norway, manufacturers offering BIM content gain a huge competitive edge.
59% discover products online
Product discovery is a large part of the journey toward specification. Want to reach the right architects, spend a fraction of the trade-show costs and get more return on your investment? Well, the digital sphere might just be your best bet. Our 2020 survey with 2,568 architects, engineers, contractors, and owners/operators unveils the favored modes of discovery:
- 46% use online search engines
- 20% ask fellow designers
- 13% use manufacturer websites
- 9% use trade shows
- 7% use traditional print media such as magazines
- 5% through sales representatives
Not to toot our own horn (but we will), USP research states that the BIMobject marketplace is considered the architect’s choice for specific BIM information. Awareness surged by 73% between Q4 2019 and Q2 2021, which indicates a maturing market and an increasing need for manufacturer-specific BIM objects.
Sustainable product information is the 4th most important factor in product selection
As we've covered in our recent e-book on how sustainability is key to getting specified, architects sorta consider going green a big deal. In fact, 75% make it a top priority in designs. But how can you place yourself on their short lists?
As a manufacturer, you’re probably aware of the wealth of declarations and disclosures at our disposal (if not, just ask your product manager or out check out this e-book). These certificates are requested by the client and actualized by architects and engineers as a key criterion to ensure project sustainability. And indeed, according to AIA, sustainable product information is the fourth most important factor in product selection.
But how does all of this impact manufacturers and how can you impact the selection process? Well, the accelerating demand for green building certifications, such as LEED and BREAAM, will translate into increased pressure on manufacturers to create and register Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
It might seem like we've just dumped problems on your lap, but EDPs presents a unique opportunity for manufacturers to get a head start in the race. Providing sustainable product information not only facilitates smooth product selection but also a frictionless collaboration with specifiers and potential customers.
Want to make your products and EDPs easily accessible to designers around the world? We can help you out with that.
BIM marketplaces create a 51% increase in leads
Leads are the oil in the business machinery. As a marketer or salesperson working in a manufacturing company, you know it takes a few litres of elbow grease to make the lead funnel flow. So, how can BIM assist? Cristina Bosch, Communications Manager at Roca, gives her two cents:
“Creating BIM objects and getting on BIMobject allows us to stay close to professionals and align with their needs. Between 2019 and 2020, we noticed a 51% increase in leads coming from the BIMobject platform.”
Want more from Cristina? Read the full BIM interview with Roca today!
73% find manufacturer collaboration crucial
AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) firms are increasingly steering clear of mere product suppliers. Instead, they seek strategic partners who are more reliable, responsive, and agile in their collaborative process. But how important is collaboration, and how does BIM fit into it all? According to Harvard Business Review:
- 73% of AEC organizations say having a highly collaborative relationship with building product manufacturers (BPMs) is extremely or very important to the success of their projects
- 61% would terminate a relationship or not engage with a BPM whose solutions were a poor match to project requirements.
+1 Why manufacturers should strive for strategic partnerships
Acquisition is a costly affair. Retention, on the other hand, requires 5-7 times fewer resources. In addition, partnerships generate greater revenue flow stability than hit-and-run deals. So, building smooth partnerships and processes through BIM isn’t just a matter of goodwill--it’s a matter of long-term business growth.
48% wouldn't work with manufacturers who aren't BIM proficient
BIM is not lone-wolf software. It’s a collaborative process. So, is it really all too surprising that 48% of architects would weed out manufacturers with weak building information modeling (BIM) proficiency? Not really!
Manufacturers who provide BIM objects essentially offer architects or engineers the shortest path from product to project. Architect Guiseppe Tortato explains it all in 7 cases for the business value of BIM:
“The use of BIM objects has allowed us to build new synergies and partnerships. We are able to directly contact the manufacturers of the objects selected by us.”
The value that BIM provides across the business spectrum goes far beyond risk reduction, convenience, and cost. The ability to increase service offerings, develop relationships that retain clients for repeatable work as well as generate profit growth is evident.
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Sarah Chase
Global Content Marketer
