A new manufacturer-led digital platform designed to simplify the way construction product information is shared across the supply chain has been unveiled, with backing from major contractors, product manufacturers and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Launched at Digital Construction Week, the Manufacturers’ Information Hub (MIH) is a proof-of-concept project that aims to create a single gateway for structured construction product data, helping manufacturers share information more efficiently while supporting growing regulatory and compliance requirements.
Rather than acting as a central product database, the MIH has been developed as an information exchange platform, allowing product data to flow directly from manufacturers to contractors, designers, distributors and asset owners through a standardised approach.
Construction supply chain faces growing product data demands
The launch comes as the construction sector continues its digital transformation, with increasing emphasis on building safety, environmental reporting and the future introduction of digital product passports.
The MIH aims to reduce the need for manufacturers to manually input and update the same product information across multiple systems, while helping to improve data consistency throughout the supply chain.
According to the initiative, the platform could benefit more than 430,000 construction product manufacturers across Europe, many of which are small businesses facing growing demands around compliance and product transparency.
Alex Small, founder of The MIH and Digital Platforms and Innovation Lead at Tata Steel UK, said: “The construction industry is digitalising rapidly, but manufacturers still face major challenges in sharing product information efficiently and consistently across multiple platforms and systems. In particular, SME manufacturers need our help.
“The MIH proof-of-concept is the first step in demonstrating a practical, manufacturer-led approach to solving that problem. Our aim is to create a trusted information exchange that allows manufacturers to share structured product data once, in a standardised way, while maintaining control of their information.
“We believe this is essential infrastructure for the future of digital construction, particularly as the industry responds to new requirements around product safety, sustainability and digital product passports.”
Major contractors and manufacturers back initiative
The platform has attracted support from a broad cross-section of the construction industry, including manufacturers such as Knauf, Sika, Etex, Siderise, Heidelberg Materials, Wienerberger, Kingspan, Saint-Gobain and Tata Steel UK.
Major contractors including Kier, Bovis and Sir Robert McAlpine are also supporting the project, alongside organisations such as Construction Products Europe and GS1.
A key feature of the model is that participating manufacturers retain ownership and control of their product information while becoming co-owners of the hub itself.
The proof-of-concept phase is being supported by UKRI through its Industrialising and Digitalising Construction Research and Innovation Challenge.
Melissa Zanocco OBE, Challenge Director: Growth Mission at UKRI, said: “To deliver the digital transformation of the construction sector, it is essential we have reliable, direct access to manufacturers’ product information. A joined-up, collaborative approach by construction product manufacturers and information users is needed to create a solution that works for everyone.
“The MIH is a valuable solution to this problem. It will improve productivity and drive growth and efficiency for both manufacturers and the users of their information, right through to asset management and beyond.”
Digital product data could improve project delivery
For contractors, standardised product information has the potential to support wider digital construction objectives, including digital twins, product traceability and improved compliance management.
James Franklin, Digital Twin Project Director at Kier, said: “For a main contractor to have access to standardised product information through this sort of gateway is a game changer.
“The MIH provides access to product information that can be linked to a range of our existing digital tools and platforms, streamlining adoption.
“It will also enable the tagging and tracking of construction products, support product data integration into digital twins and help us with safety, compliance and environmental improvements.”
As regulatory requirements continue to evolve following building safety reforms and increased sustainability reporting, initiatives aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of construction product information are likely to become an increasingly important part of the industry’s digital infrastructure.
