Industry News

Berkeley to open modular factory

24th January 2020

Announcing half-year results today showing profit and revenue sharply down, as expected, the housebuilder said the selling price of its homes remained "firm" and that its forward order book had risen for the first time since 2016....

Adapting And Embracing Change

24th January 2020

According to former US President Bill Clinton, 'the price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the cost of change.' Andrew Orriss, STA Assure Director for the Structural Timber Association (STA), discusses the...

Secure Your Place At The Offsite Event Of The Year

23rd January 2020

Plans are now well underway for the next Offsite Expo taking place on 22-23 September at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. The event will once again feature informative speaker content but new for 2020 will be 'live' feature builds, machinery...

Urban Splash modular homes win planning

22nd January 2020

Joint venture with Peel given permission for latest phase of Wirral Waters megaproject. Planning permission has been granted for 30 modular homes in the 13,000-home Wirral Waters scheme in Birkenhead, to be delivered as a joint venture...

Berkeley looks offsite as profits return to 'normal'

20th January 2020

Berkeley Group is planning to start production at its new house-building factory in north Kent in 2020. Chairman Tony Pidgley said that Berkeley's volumetric modular construction facility in Ebbsfleet would be "an exemplar of...

Technical & Standard Developments

25th December 2019

The popularity of light steel framing continues to grow as does the uptake of offsite construction more generally. Andrew Way, Associate Director at SCI, provides an update on recent material developments. Key...

The psychological tic that’s holding offsite construction back

23rd December 2019

Kier preconstruction director for strategic projects Jamie Hillier considers the psychological bias preventing the industry from seeing the creative possibilities of offsite manufacturing When evaluating a specific topic, concept,...

Heathrow to link offsite hubs with tracking system

22nd December 2019

Logistic sites winners due to be named next summer Heathrow Airport has said the four offsite logistic hubs that will be used to help build the third runway at the west London airport will be able to use a centralised...

Government ‘must embrace’ MMC to tackle housing crisis

21st December 2019

An All-Party Parliamentary report calls on the "unlocking" of finance for manufacturers to better meet demand. The use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the timber industries will be key in helping the government...

Great Places launches £750m housing framework

19th December 2019

Framework forms part of housing group's hopes of building 11,000 new homes by 2028 Great Places Housing Group has launched a £750m framework for firms looking to deliver a range of services to housing clients across...

Farmer to promote McVey’s ‘construction corridor’

18th December 2019

New MMC champion Mark Farmer will lead development of £40bn plan across the north of England The government's newly appointed "MMC champion" Mark Famer will be tasked with developing the recently announced hi-tech...

Ilke Homes reports multi-million pound loss

18th December 2019

Accounts for start-up modular builder reflect investment in manufacturing capability, firm says. Start-up modular builder Ilke Homes has posted a £22m loss for the year to March 2019. The firm, formed by a collaboration between housing...

Architects hit out at offsite drive

17th December 2019

Homes built with modern methods of construction are "blight" on communities, designer says Senior housing architects have hit out at the government's drive to transform the housing industry through the use of modern...

RICS survey backs MMC growth

17th December 2019

More than half of quantity surveyors have seen a rise in the use of modern methods of construction in the past three years, according to a survey by the RICS. In the RICS' quarterly survey of construction consultants, 53% of...

Ilke Homes looks to open second off-site factory

17th December 2019

Modular housebuilder considering new facility following £30m Homes England loan Modular housebuilder Ilke Homes is looking to open a second factory producing its steel-framed volumetric houses following the decision by quango...

Smart and modular: how modern construction can tackle the housing crisis

17th December 2019

John Corbett. John Corbett, sales director UK at EnOcean, outlines how modern methods of construction and smart technologies can revolutionise the building process and the way we live. Rising populations and changing...

Huge losses at modular firm handed £30m of public cash

17th December 2019

A modular homes specialist granted £30m of government funding this week racked-up a pre-tax loss of £7.7m in its latest published accounts. Figures posted at Companies House by ilke Homes Limited show the firm made a...

How Ilke plans to produce 5,000 modular homes a year

16th December 2019

Modular housebuilder Ilke Homes formed in 2017 from a joint venture between housing contractor Keepmoat and steel frame specialist Elliott and last week bolstered its ambitions to ramp up supply after securing a £30m loan from Homes England....

Offsite Solutions acquires Taylor and Kilduff

16th December 2019

Offsite Solutions, a bathroom pod manufacturer, has acquired Taylor and Kilduff, a steel fabrication business to bring the manufacture of base frames for its steel-framed pods in-house Taylor and Kilduff has over 15 years' experience...

Tories promise MMC boost

15th December 2019

Manifesto also promises to deliver 1 million new homes The Conservative Party has pledged to support the use of modern methods of construction in its general election manifesto. The manifesto, launched...

Countryside aims to build 1,400 modular homes next year

15th December 2019

Countryside Properties is to build 1,400 modular homes in the coming year, after its new modular panel factory became operational in March this year. So far, Countryside's modular panel factory in Warrington has delivered 376...

Caledonian Modular hopes to return to profit next year

14th December 2019

Latest accounts reveal the East Midlands offsite specialist, which delivered the Hinkley Point site worker village, suffered a £0.74m loss this year after falling £3.7m into the red in 2018. The firm said it had a very...

Welsh government announces £30m funding boost for housing development

13th December 2019

The Welsh government has promised to inject £30m into housing schemes, including £10m for factories to build modular homes, as part of wider funding for key projects. The money will come via a round of funding from the Wales...

Laing O’Rourke and Bam researching offsite nuclear builds

12th December 2019

A new type of compact nuclear power station is to be researched by a consortium including Laing O'Rourke, Bam Nuttall and Atkins. Nine companies are providing an initial investment of £18m to the project, which matches £18m of...

Modular housebuilder creates speedy-build app for customers

11th December 2019

Modular housebuilder Built & Spaces has created its own software that it claims can accelerate the housebuilding process to just 10 weeks from start to completion. The Build My Home software lets customers assemble their...

Grimshaw’s floating modular homes design revealed

10th December 2019

A new range of floating modular homes has been designed by the architect behind the Stirling Prize-nominated revamp of London Bridge railway station. Grimshaw teamed up with Dutch manufacturing group Concrete Valley to produce...

Mastering the precast market

10th December 2019

As part of the Inside Offsite factory tour programme, precast concrete specialists FP McCann once again opened up its Byley manufacturing facility to showcase its innovative offsite technology. With a focus on the structural and architectural...

Offsite Specialists to Present Latest Developments in Steel Framing

9th December 2019

Following its 2019 success, Focus on Framing is set to return next year as the event that is showcasing light steel framing solutions. The seminar will take place on 29th January at the Building Centre, London, taking an in-depth look at...

Government pumps £30m into modular house builder

8th December 2019

Each home that rolls off the production line is fully accredited by Britain's major insurers and lenders Homes England's cash injection will be used to turbo-charge production at the firm's Knaresborough production...

Driving Iconic Design

8th December 2019

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) wished to create one of the foremost automotive design and engineering centres in the world and used timber to reflect the design quality associated with one of the UK's most iconic businesses. Winner of two...

How to avoid stress over university resi-build deadlines

7th December 2019

Delays have beset student housing schemes of late, but one solution exists to help speed up delivery It wasn't the best start to students' academic life. In early October, it emerged that hundreds of them across the UK had been forced to...

Losses narrow at offsite firm Caledonian Modular

7th December 2019

Offsite construction specialist Caledonian Modular has narrowed its losses in 2019, and now expects to make a profit in 2020. In 2018, the company, based in Newark in Nottinghamshire, suffered a pre-tax loss of £3.7m on...

McAvoy wins £5.5m contract for new technology centre

6th December 2019

The McAvoy Group has been awarded a £5.5m contract for the offsite construction of a new three-storey Art, Design and Technology Centre at The Deepings School near Peterborough Built under phase two of the Priority School...

Stay safe

6th December 2019

With offsite construction taking many health and safety concerns out of the construction equation, Andy Green, Business Development Director at BM TRADA, discusses the importance of an effective health and safety management system. It comes as...

Creagh Concrete invests £1m in new offices to accommodate growth from GB market

5th December 2019

Company targets £200m turnover and 1,000 staff! Toomebridge headquartered concrete products manufacturer Creagh Concrete has invested £1m in new offices to accommodate the company's growing workforce. One of the UK's largest...

Worldwide modular market to hit £165bn

5th December 2019

Report predicts rapid growth in sector in next six years The global market for modular and prefabricated buildings is set to be worth over £165bn globally by the middle of the next decade, according to a report by analysts...

Providing the expert envelope

5th December 2019

The offsite sector is underpinned by precision designed and manufactured components and systems. Heath Hindmarch, Chairman of PSP Group describes how façade and rainscreen cladding solutions produced in a factory environment are increasingly being...

Modular design should be on architects’ syllabus, says government tsar

4th December 2019

Architects should be better trained in designing modular and prefabricated buildings, according to the government's new tsar for modern methods of construction (MMC) Mark Farmer was named MMC 'champion' by housing minister...

A new environment for learning

4th December 2019

The McAvoy Group has been awarded a £5.5million contract for the offsite construction of a new three-storey Art, Design and Technology Centre at The Deepings School near Peterborough. Built under phase two of the Priority School...

Caledonian lands £4m NHS modular deal

4th December 2019

Offsite specialist Caledonian has secured a £4m design and build deal with Whittington Health NHS Trust for a new clinical education facility. Caledonian has supported the client’s team through the design and planning process and will now...

Construction R&D rises to record high due to MMC interest

4th December 2019

The construction industry has increased its research and development (R&D) spending to a record high, partly to more interest in developing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) according to Catax. The industry raised its R&D spending to...

Will politics impact the offsite construction sector?

3rd December 2019

Jim Roach, managing director of ARV Solutions, takes a look at whether party politics or internal politics will have the biggest impact on the offsite construction sector Is party politics where we should place the most...

Bright future for Blyth School

3rd December 2019

Northumberland County Council has embraced offsite construction for first time with a pioneering 14-week programme for a primary school extension at Horton Grange Primary School. CPC – the new partnership between LHC and Northern Housing...

Modular - putting the money where it matters

2nd December 2019

In the twelve months since the last Modular Matters conference, the political and investment landscape has changed beyond recognition. Whilst the national media focuses on the political wranglings surrounding BREXIT and more recently, the election...

Constructing Excellence and Mark Farmer in innovation push

2nd December 2019

National industry body Constructing Excellence is to become the newest delivery partner of the £72m government-backed Construction Innovation Hub. With an extensive network of national and regional members, which cuts across...

Understanding the financial obligations

30th November 2019

There are many things to bear in mind when approaching offsite construction, Amy Crick, Head of UK RE Transaction Management, Barclays Corporate Banking, outlines a few key considerations when seeking finance for modular developments. ...

Timber Industries Join in Offsite Push

30th November 2019

The use of offsite construction and the timber industries will be key in helping the Government meet its housebuilding targets, according to a report launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Timber Industries (APPG). The report...

Metframe’s pre-panelised system helps deliver new student block

29th November 2019

Metframe's pre-panelised system helped deliver a new student block combining a flexible modern interior with an attractive traditional exterior in just 13 weeks Founded nearly 65 years ago, CATS College is an innovative...

Living with insulated precast concrete

28th November 2019

With two key projects under the spotlight, we hear more about Spantherm – the innovative insulated precast concrete ground-floor system which is being adopted by a growing number of housebuilders and developers. ...

Do it right - moving units correctly

28th November 2019

The lifting of pods and modules is a critical process in the manufacture and install of offsite units, usually resulting in a more complex lift than the traditional lifting operations carried out on constructions sites. Anthony Culshaw, Technical...

Government backs Ilke Homes with £30m loan

28th November 2019

Agency Homes England's cash to "turbo charge" modular housebuilder Homes England is lending £30m to modular housebuilder Ilke Homes, in a bid to "turbo charge" production at the Knaresborough-based firm. ...

Ideal Modular Homes launches affordable housing range

27th November 2019

Liverpool-based manufacturer rolls out its Our Home portfolio Ideal Modular Homes has launched a new range of affordable factory-built homes which it claimed could slash residents' energy bills by more than 50%. ...

Government wants MMC ‘silicon valley’ in the north

27th November 2019

Housing minister Esther McVey is has announced government plans to create a new 'centre for excellence' for modern methods of construction (MMC) in the north of England to boost construction of new homes. McVey visited...

Self-adhesive vapour control layer delivers time saving benefits

27th November 2019

Protect Membranes, UK producer of roofing and construction membranes, has introduced Protect VB200, a reflective air and vapour control layer with an integral self-sealing adhesive backing, designed for use in either flat warm roof construction...

Heathrow to track offsite components with new tech

26th November 2019

Heathrow Airport has unveiled new tracking technology that will allow it to connect its network of offsite construction hubs around the UK, which will be used in the construction of a new runway. The technology, devised by...

McAvoy raids Farrans for construction board director

26th November 2019

Offsite specialist The McAvoy Group has strengthened its board with the appointment of Farrans Scotland and Northern Ireland director Martin O'Neill. O'Neil joins as contracts director, bringing over 25 years' experience in...

Smartply Ultima and Smartply FR: The offsite solutions

26th November 2019

With offsite construction on the rise as a more efficient, high quality and sustainable option for delivering affordable housing, MEDITE SMARTPLY highlights some of its ground-breaking products As a concept, offsite...

How modular construction is helping to solve the UK housing crisis

25th November 2019

Innovation funding specialist the MPA Group highlights the main advantages of modular construction and the key sector issues it is helping to address Modular construction is the process where building components are produced in a factory,...

The perils of payment on modular

24th November 2019

Be wary when amending standard form payment provisions for modular construction Modular construction is on the rise, particularly in the hotel sector. But a recent case highlights the dangers when amending standard form...

Final module placed on world’s tallest offsite resi tower

23rd November 2019

Tide Construction has craned the final pod into place on the world's tallest modular building in Croydon. The last of 1,526 modules have been assembled on site in south London to create two towers measuring 44-storeys and 38-storeys....

Sustainable offsite manufacturing exhibition opens in Glasgow

22nd November 2019

A new exhibition currently open in Glasgow is showcasing sustainable buildings factory-made from wood, demonstrating how innovative timber engineering methods can overcome traditional construction challenges. Supported by Scottish...

McVey announces £38m MMC cash injection

21st November 2019

Housing minister unveils plan for new MMC hub and funding for offsite homes Housing minister Esther McVey has announced plans for a new hub promoting modern methods of construction (MMC) in the north of England, alongside £38m in...

CIOB responds to Housing Minister's announcement on funds to support the use of MMC

19th November 2019

The Chartered...

Ikea Skanska JV set to open UK modular factory

17th November 2019

BoKlok plans UK...

MMC ‘not as disruptive’ as industry believes

16th November 2019

Modern methods of...

Are modular homes the solution to the worldwide housing crisis?

14th November 2019

With stories of housing crises crossing borders and seas, politicians, policymakers, architects, developers and housebuilders from across the world have been trying to come up with solutions as to how new homes can be built quickly enough to meet...

Architecture school announces first offsite construction course

13th November 2019

The UK's first dedicated post-graduate architecture course covering modern methods of construction (MMC) is being developed by Oxford Brookes. The university is working with Hawkins Brown and other architects to create a...

Can modular construction improve affordability?

12th November 2019

Can modular construction improve affordability? The simple answer is yes, but, when it comes to modular construction, there are a lot more benefits involved than just cutting costs But first, what is modular construction? ...

Carbon Challenge Needs Whole-life Views, Not Half-truths

11th November 2019

Against the backdrop of climate change, the construction industry needs to chart the roadmap to a net-zero-carbon society by 2050. This requires an intelligent and informed industry discussion about embodied and operational...

Precast Wins at Hox Park

11th November 2019

Located on the outskirts of Egham in Surrey, Hox Park is a new high-quality, precast concrete student development for The Royalton Group and Moorfield, which forms part of the phased masterplan for the former Brunel University site. Designed...

Why new names are piling into offsite housing

11th November 2019

With government...

Homes England grants £38m for offsite projects

10th November 2019

Homes England has granted £38.2m of funding to six local authorities to encourage greater use of modern methods of construction (MMC). The money will be used by six councils to develop infrastructure and enabling works for the...

MMC and timber frame: The perfect duo for sustainable housebuilding

9th November 2019

Stewart Dalgarno, director of product development at Stewart Milne Timber Systems, discusses why Modern Methods of Construction coupled with a build fabric such as timber frame are key to meeting government housing targets sustainably ...

CLC boss ‘disappointed’ by government’s offsite take-up

8th November 2019

The chairman of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has said public spending on offsite construction is "crucial" if the sector is to thrive, as he expressed disappointment at slow government take-up. Recently,...

Hill sets up £10m homeless charity

6th November 2019

Privately-owned housebuilder to build 200 homes for the homeless Hill, the Waltham Abbey-based housebuilder, is setting up a £10m charitable foundation to build 200 homes for people who have found themselves homeless. ...

Laing O’Rourke to supply rivals using offsite factory

6th November 2019

Laing O'Rourke plans to supply other...

Offsite presumption: Procurement figures revealed

5th November 2019

Three of the five government departments...

Barratt continues MMC drive

5th November 2019

Housebuilder upping use of modern methods despite economic uncertainty Housebuilder Barratt said it is continuing to target building a quarter of all its homes from modern construction methods, as it reported steady trading to...

Final chase to secure your tickets for Timber Talks

4th November 2019

Over the last decade structural timber has entered a new dimension with the development of new building systems and design strategies, experts from the structural timber sector will come together on 6 November 2019 in London to address timber's use...

New sector for offsite and modular construction at The Big 5 show

4th November 2019

With rapid and...

Centrepoint in £15m modular housing push

4th November 2019

Homelessness charity to build 300 homes for young homeless people Housing charity Centrepoint has embarked upon a £15m programme to build 300 modular homes in London and Manchester to house homeless young people. ...

LSFA raises awareness of the light steel framing sector

4th November 2019

Since its inauguration at Focus on Framing, the first conference held by the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) in June 2019, the industry body is gathering momentum Established to influence legislation and to support the overall...

Homes of the future: University and TV architect collaborate

3rd November 2019

The ways that homes are designed and built in the future could be completely transformed, thanks to a new project between Northumbria University, Newcastle and architect George Clarke The University has signed an agreement with Clarke's...

Japanese expertise will drive Urban Splash’s modular push

3rd November 2019

But Sekisui's UK boss says stake in Manchester developer will still see it use "mainly" British materials Developer Sekisui House will use "Japanese expertise" to drive a ten-fold increase in the modular housing...

Tolent completes first modular housing scheme in Newton Aycliffe

2nd November 2019

Working with offsite manufacturer ilke Homes, contractor Tolent has finished its first-ever modular housing project in Newton Aycliffe In one day, two modular homes were delivered and assembled on site, in front of an audience...

Wates awards £3m contract for steel-framed bathrooms pods

1st November 2019

Bathroom pod manufacturer, Offsite Solutions, has won a £3m contract from Wates Construction to supply 440 bespoke steel-framed bathroom pods The steel-framed bathroom pods are for Anthology's Hale Works development in Tottenham...

Insights into the increasing demand for bathroom pods

1st November 2019

Richard Tonkinson, executive director of Offsite Solutions, provides some insight into the growing demand for factory-built bathrooms and the latest trends The use of bathroom pods in the residential sector has increased hugely in...

Bristol to get 200 offsite homes by Skanska and Ikea JV

1st November 2019

In one of its first UK schemes, offsite homes builder BoKlok is to build 200 homes in Bristol. Work on the project for Bristol City Council is due to start in autumn 2020, subject to planning permission. ...

RG Carter’s offsite-built council homes win Stirling Prize

31st October 2019

A council house development of 105 homes built using offsite construction methods by contractor RG Carter and designed by Mikhail Riches Architects has won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2019. Goldsmith Street in Norwich is one of the UK's...

How the skills gap has affected the government’s home-building targets

30th October 2019

Daniel Ure of PPE specialist Vizwear examines what problems the skills shortage in construction is causing for the government's home-building targets - and what companies can do to help fill key positions It's no secret that the...

Kingspan TEK sports centre is fit for King’s

30th October 2019

Students at the renowned King's College School in Cambridge are enjoying getting active in their new Sports & Cultural Centre, constructed with the use of the offsite Kingspan TEK Cladding Panels. The school previously...

MMC key to increasing affordable housing supply, says The Housing Forum

29th October 2019

Modern methods of construction (MMC) will play a vital role in increasing the supply of affordable housing in the UK, according to a new guide published by The Housing Forum. In a document called 'MMC for affordable housing...

BoKlok announces plans for 200 offsite homes in Bristol

28th October 2019

BoKlok UK Ltd, the offsite housing provider jointly owned by Skanska and IKEA, has announced plans to develop 200 homes in south Bristol with Bristol City Council Bristol City Council, who owns the Airport Road site, has...

Housing minister calls for MMC centre of excellence in the North

27th October 2019

The housing minister has called for the establishment of a centre for excellence to champion modern methods of construction (MMC) in the north of England. At a series of appearances at the Conservative party conference in...

Cadcoe Announces Digital Construction Training Partnership with Berkeley Modular Ltd and North Kent College

26th October 2019

In June 2019 Berkeley Modular Ltd started to move staff into its advanced manufacturing facility in Northfleet, Kent. As innovators within the realms of digital construction and volumetric modular housing solutions, the new company...

Norwich council estate wins 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize

26th October 2019

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has named Goldsmith Street in Norwich, designed by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley, as the winner of the 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize The annual RIBA Stirling Prize, presented since 1996, is awarded...

SES Engineering Services Relocates Award-Winning Offsite Manufacturing Facility to Coventry

25th October 2019

Leading national engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), is relocating its award-winning offsite manufacturing facility, Prism, to a new 68,000 sq ft facility in Coventry. The relocation and expansion of its...

First affordable modular homes installed at Newton Aycliffe

24th October 2019

The modular homes, manufactured in the ilke Homes factory in North Yorkshire using precision-engineering techniques, are high quality and enjoy a greater energy efficiency rating As a result, tenants of the modular homes in Newton...

Heathrow expansion: Suppliers called on to shape offsite strategy

24th October 2019

Heathrow's network of regional logistics hubs is likely to consist of mixed-use sites for construction, which will change throughout the process of the airport's expansion. Heathrow commercial delivery director Emma-Jane Houghton...

Osborne CEO: Offsite needs guaranteed pipeline to be successful

23rd October 2019

Secure pipelines of work are crucial for the future establishment of offsite construction, Osborne CEO Andy Steele has said. The contractor's chief executive told Construction News that increasing the use of offsite construction,...

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