CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS LINE UP FOR OPTUS INCITE

Optus and the Construction Industry Trading Exchange (CITE) Initiative, today unveiled Optus inCITE, an online trading exchange for the construction industry.

Peter Kaliaropoulos, Managing Director for Optus Business said Optus inCITE is testament to its commitment to developing solutions that deliver productivity gains to the market place.

"Optus has developed the inCITE portal to enable contractors, sub-contractors and material suppliers to respond to and issue tenders more easily, quickly and accurately; manage document flow between all parties on a project; and be able to manage their purchasing and tendering processes online."

Optus inCITE is open to all industry participants. Several major construction projects have already committed to using the platform prior to launch.

"Optus inCITE has projects worth almost $1 billion ready to take advantage of the portal and a further $1.5 billion in the pipeline," Mr Kaliaropoulos said.

Mike Rollo, Chairman of the CITE Initiative said Optus inCITE was a tremendous outcome for the construction industry.

"The beauty of Optus inCITE is that it has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the construction industry via a common platform - unlike other industry portals," Mr Rollo said.

"It also provides a single entry point for the small and medium enterprises that make up the majority of the construction sector. Not only will they experience an increase in productivity but cost savings as well.

"The online trading exchange will deliver improved efficiencies for both private and public sector projects and lift the level of professionalism across the industry."

The exchange enables clients, owners, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in the Australian construction industry to manage project delivery electronically - including document management, tendering and purchasing of construction services and products.

Note to Editors:

• Major contractors who have committed to using the exchange include Baulderstone Hornibrook, Barclay Mowlem, John Holland, Leighton Contractors, Thiess and Walter Construction.
• These organisations represent one third of Australia's non-residential construction industry with a combined turnover of A$10 billion.
• Companies ready to use Optus inCITE include:
  • Walter Construction, for a $81 million residential development in Sydney;
  • Leighton Contractors, for the new $254 million Spencer Street Station in Melbourne and Westpac's new $297 million headquarters in Sydney;
  • John Holland, for Woolworths's $200 million support office and the $20 million Chief Secretary's Building in Sydney; and
  • Thiess, for the construction of a $107 million liquefied nitrogen gas storage facility in Darwin.

Media contact:
Luisa Ford
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: (02) 9342 5045