Modular builder Ilke Homes will open its first factory next month as part of its plan to build 2,000 homes a year, it has announced.
The builder has hired 150 workers for the 25,000 sq m factory in Harrogate, with numbers expected to rise to 800 over the next two or three years.
The aim is to transport modular homes from the Yorkshire factory to sites across the UK. Ilke expects to build between 300 and 350 homes in 2018, aiming to reach 2,000 a year in two years, and 5,000 a year in five years.
Björn Conway, chief executive of Ilke Homes, told Inside Housing he thought 80% of the builder’s business would go to housing associations, but acknowledged that because of their position in the market this would often require developers or contractors to act as intermediaries.
As well as the central factory in Harrogate, Ilke also hopes to build ‘mini-plants’ in different local authority areas. Mr Conway said the company had already reached an agreement with one local authority to build a plant in two years’ time with the potential of delivering 500 homes a year.
In the Autumn Budget, the government announced that it would adopt a presumption in favour of offsite construction for publicly funded construction from 2019.
Business secretary Greg Clark said: “Britain has a proud heritage in high quality manufacturing and through our Industrial Strategy the government has outlined a vision that will build on our strengths in manufacturing and help shape an environment that enables businesses to thrive.”
Mr Conway added: “We’re pleased to be able to create high quality jobs in Yorkshire, including a new type of manufacturing role for the local construction industry.
“Our culture at Ilke Homes will be very collaborative – the design engineering team will be hands on, working with the manufacturing team in the factory to solve issues and deliver a product that is not only truly cost effective, but also meets the needs of modern living.”
Björn is speaking at ecobuild on the 6th March as a apart of the Explore Offsite Seminar programme - for more information visit www.ecobuild.co.uk
Original link - Inside Housing
