A proof-of-concept for a new digital gateway for construction product information has been completed. Announced earlier this year, the Manufacturer’s Information Hub is a manufacturer-led and owned digital platform that will share structured construction product data in a simple and easy to use way.
A pan-European solution, it is a not-for-profit initiative and will support environmental and safety compliance and pave the way for digital product passports.
The first phase was designed to demonstrate how the MIH would address industry needs and facilitate information sharing between manufacturers and information users, such as specifiers, contractors and asset owners.
That included outlining the process for connecting manufacturer databases via a standard API, the requirements for a standard data dictionary to validate and present information and how the system would reduce complexity and risk.
Alex Small, Founder of The MIH, said: “This is an exciting first step in the journey towards getting the MIH up and running. At this first stage, we have demonstrated that it is technically feasible to offer this to market. That includes detailing how it will work in practice, where the complexity sits and what solutions will be needed.
The MIH will make it much easier for manufacturers to share product information efficiently and consistently across multiple platforms and systems. By being not-for-profit and manufacturer-led, it means that companies retain full ownership and control of their data and can be part of this journey from day one, whether an SME or a major manufacturer.
Alex Small, Founder, The MIH
Supported by UKRI, the project is part of its Industrialising and Digitalising Construction Research and Innovation Challenge.
Melissa Zanocco OBE, Challenge Director: Growth Mission at UKRI, said: “Reliable, direct access to manufacturers’ product information is an essential step in creating a more digitally connected construction sector.
“It is positive to see manufacturers coming together to solve this issue. At a time of major change in the world of construction products, particularly when it comes to demonstrating the safety and sustainability criteria of products, this will help manufacturers meet the challenge in a simple, effective way.”
As part of the first phase, the MIH team also needed to demonstrate the roadmap for future development. Subject to funding, the next step will be to develop a working prototype with early adopters by spring 2027.
This will be a small-scale working version, linking a handful of manufacturers and users via the API, to demonstrate the core functionality and benefits. Continued work on the rules around standardised product attributes will also be delivered during this phase.
Once complete, a full-scale prototype will be developed for in-depth testing throughout 2027, before launching some functionality of the platform in 2028.
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