Skanska Takes Initiative to Reduce Construction Costs in Sweden


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 03, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The situation within the Swedish construction industry has been a matter of debate for some time and a number of useful ideas and proposals have been put forward. Now it is time to move from words to action, according to Claes Bjork, President and CEO of Skanska.

"We must strive to reduce costs in the Swedish construction industry by 10 percent and to decrease the number of production faults by 20 percent annually. This is entirely possible. This has been demonstrated by our experiences in other countries," said Claes Bjork.

"One condition is that we must be able to develop new forms of cooperation involving all parties, that is, users, customers, architects, designers, planners, contractors, materials manufacturers and operations managers."

Therefore, Skanska is inviting everyone connected with the construction industry to a broad gathering to develop future forms of cooperation in Sweden.

"I hope that all of the forces involved will be able to agree on the formation of a highly competent and independent group of experts to direct the improvement process and to establish a clear-cut action program for innovations and new approaches. Hopefully, this will then result in practical action and a large number of good examples in Sweden," said Bjork.

"Let us together create at least 75 model projects for 2005. We could name the concept '75/2005.' These 75 projects would exemplify new approaches and would provide guidance as to once again make Sweden a role model for the world in terms of efficient, high-quality building."


For further information please contact:
Peter Gimbe, Pressofficer, Skanska AB
tel +46 8 753 88 38

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com

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The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/06/03/20020603BIT00370/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/06/03/20020603BIT00370/wkr0002.pdf