Skanska and GE have formed a strategic partnership to develop new environmental technologies and processes for the emerging green retrofit and refurbishment market, which is estimated to be worth in excess of £10bn per year in the UK.
This partnership combines GE‟s and Skanska‟s skills and expertise to deliver technologies for some of the most cutting-edge green refurbished commercial buildings in the UK.
The first UK proposed pilot projects are scheduled to commence later this year. The focus of these redevelopments will be the improvement of their energy, carbon and water efficiency, with the aim of making them a showcase for the next generation of green refurbishment.
Mike Putnam, President and CEO Skanska UK says, "The property market is changing. Tougher climate-change laws, new ways of working, and demands from investors and tenants are transforming the way we think about building performance and value. These changes are forcing the industry to evaluate property assets in ways that consider their long-term value and their role in achieving corporate goals."
Mark Elborne, President and CEO GE UK says, "In collaboration with Skanska we will be able to actively demonstrate the benefits of our ecomagination
technologies and develop new innovations to revolutionise how the commercial property sector in the UK will meet its emission targets.
"Both Skanska and GE are leading the way in their development of green solutions and technologies for the built environment. By combining forces we can offer a more attractive, practical and tangible proposition to future proof the UK‟s existing building stock and deliver value to clients.
Leading this partnership on behalf of Skanska is Director of Green Business, Craig Sparrow who comments, "We believe that it is right that we contribute to a low carbon economy and that early adopters in this space will be market leaders in the real estate sector. By partnering with GE we aim to bring new technologies to market that really change the industry. Our mission is to put buildings on 'The Journey to Deep Green™' – a place where ultimately the value of assets are future-proofed".
Both GE and Skanska are making the development of environmental products and solutions a key part of their corporate strategies.