Chris Sleight Bio

Chris Sleight is recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on global construction equipment markets. He holds an honours degree in civil engineering and, in a 24-year career with KHL Group, has edited the world’s two leading magazines for the industry – International Construction and Construction Europe.

Following the acquisition of Off-Highway Research by KHL in June 2015, Chris transferred to the market intelligence, forecasting and management consultancy business – assuming the role of Managing Director of the business unit at the start of 2018.

When you think of automation, it is tempting to imagine driverless vehicles and machinery working away seemingly without the need of human intervention. The picture in construction is far from that vision, but there is still a wide range of technology already in use – most often in the form of machine control tools that help operators work more productively.

“Automation is really difficult in construction because there are so many unknowns,” says Sleight. “The number of times an excavator has dug that first bucket full of earth out of the ground to find a water main that wasn’t supposed to be there… By the nature of it, you need the human element.”

Machine control technologies like GPS and laser-guiding systems can help operators to deliver this accuracy. For instance, with GPS sensors feeding data back to a machine’s electronic controls, the height of a blade on a dozer can be adjusted automatically. And this makes the operator’s role simpler, safer and more productive.

In theory, the digitalization and automation of construction processes should make it easier to bring new workers into the industry. “With these tools in place, you don’t need someone with 30 years of experience to do the job,” says Sleight. “You can make it easier for a relatively fresh operator to work with the machines and get things right first time.”

There are many reasons this has not yet become a reality. The fragmented nature of the industry means that subcontractors are often small family firms reluctant to invest in systems they have never needed before. The notoriously low-margin nature of construction only adds to this.

The resolution to this paradox will not be easy to reach. It will need a shift in approach from client organisations – a process that, according to Sleight, is already underway.

“I think the mentality is changing to the extent that some clients are now specifying technologies such as GPS, laser guidance and collision sensors,” he says. “For example, Highways England is now starting to mandate machine control technologies on its projects because it has worked with contractors who have used them before and realised the advantages of it.”

This type of incentivisation to invest in machine control and automation tools could spark an acceleration in digital transformation for construction. But much will depend on client demands.

“As these technologies find their way onto sites and people see the benefits, they will filter down the industry,” says Sleight. “But it really needs to come from the client. The client pays the bills, so they call the shots in terms of what technologies are required.”

Despite the many challenges the construction industry faces (and the fact there are few quick fixes), Sleight is still hugely optimistic about the road ahead for businesses.

“It’s very exciting to be watching this digital evolution,” he says. “I certainly wouldn't call it a revolution. I think we have to be realistic about how long it will take to resolve these issues, but change doesn’t just happen overnight. Obviously, forecasting these days is a tricky business, but I believe we have a positive future to look forward to.”