In today’s business-to-business Internet world, it’s the BIGGEST bird that catches the worm. The standard model has IPO-track start-ups initiating strategic alliances to secure the critical mass–or critical backing–needed to launch themselves into the next level.

Twentypounds is changing the model.

Named for the critical mass of uranium, Twentypounds is a consortium of the nation’s leading commercial contractors that will partner with an existing Internet company or companies to fast track the adoption of Web-based technology in the more than $400 billion commercial construction industry.

“As a founding member of Twentypounds, DPR is shaping the way the construction industry enters into the B2B Internet economy,” said Eric Lamb of DPR and Twentypounds. “By leveraging our existing relationships within the industry, we are creating the critical mass necessary to drive the adoption of the best Internet model.”

Representing a “buying power” exceeding $25 billion, Twentypounds includes such leading companies as Austin Industries, BE&K, The Beck Group, Beers/Skanska), Centex Construction, DPR Construction, Hoffman Construction, JA Jones, Linbeck Construction, McCarthy Construction, Morse Diesel, Pepper Construction and Turner, as well as FMI Corp., management consultants to the construction industry.

“We are shaking the image that construction companies are the last to embrace the Internet,” said Lamb. “As an industry, we are spending billions in the purchasing of materials and equipment in an inefficient and fragmented manner. This is our opportunity to streamline communication, optimize the procurement process and drive innovation as a group with one e-commerce system.”

There are many e-commerce solutions on the market designed specifically for the construction industry for bidding, program management and procurement activities. Once the consortium commits to a partner, the companies associated with Twentypounds will use that Internet provider’s systems for its projects around the country.

“Twentypounds’ impact will be unprecedented. This initiative is led by major commercial builders, who purchase and direct the purchase of billions of dollars of building materials and equipment,” said Hoyt Lowder of FMI Corp. “This initial group of companies are the ‘thought leaders’ and will shape how buildings are constructed in the new economy.”