Panaloc unveils Magnum construction system

An offsite manufacturer which uses OSB4 as the sole structural material in its wall, roof and floor panels has been officially launched in Manchester.

Panaloc Ltd, established following a £12m, eight-year research and development period, aims to shake up the construction industry with its “massive” OSB wall technology.

Set up by former joiner Eric Dean, who confessed to being frustrated with the inefficient and slow traditional build process, the company is looking to achieve a £20m turnover in its first year. It is already working on a £16m hospital project in St Helens to deliver wall infill panels.

Panaloc has secured sole UK rights to import OSB4 from Swiss panels manufacturer Kronoply and sole UK licence to produce Magnum board, which consists of three or more layers of OSB4 laminated together to form a construction panel.

Panaloc says the strength of the Magnum boards allows it to construct buildings up to 10 storeys high without the need of any other structure. It can also create wall panels up to 20x5m in dimension and lift shafts.

Doors, windows, insulation, plumbing and rendering are all added to the panels in the 320,000ft² factory to create homes, as well as infill panels and bathroom and toilet pods for airports, hospital and hotels.

On a housing test project with Taylor Wimpey, Panaloc erected 90 homes in just six days.

“We believe that Panaloc represents a truly unique and refreshing proposition to the UK construction industry,” said Mr Dean.