We’re just a few months in, but 2016 has already seen several big names in construction demonstrating a commitment to the modular building market.
With Legal and General’s plans to create the world’s largest modular housing factory in Yorkshire, developer Urban Splash’s roll out of its HoUSe residential concept in Manchester, Salford and North Shields, and Essential Living and Berkeley Homes starting offsite building, more and more investment is flowing into this innovative market.
Modular builds are also fast becoming popular in commercial construction as developers demand tighter control on escalating costs and look to improve sustainability performance, and minimize risk, as well as capitalize on recent advances in building technology and materials.
So how are construction sector suppliers and sub-contractors reacting to this change in direction? Well, starting at the most fundamental level of a construction project, the processes involved in materials manufacturing are starting to shift to accommodate demands of modular building.
W Howard has made a significant investment in manufacturing capacity in response to mounting customer inquiries for offsite construction-ready materials.
For instance, through our recent acquisition of additional premises and investment in a Masterwood 415 CNC machine, we’re now able to supply linings and casings, accurately recessed for hinges and latches and designed to add value by delivering greater efficiencies to the customer and therefore reduced costs on site.
Add to this an ability to provide fully finished options, and it’s about supporting customers and enabling them to move with and capitalise on latest market trends.
We’ve also been working with merchant and specialist manufacture customers, including doorset manufacturers and interior fit out consultants, to discuss time and labour efficiencies of these products, particularly with regard to recessed linings.
The hinges and latches are supplied in loose kit form or as part of a door set.
Products are manufactured to a customers’ exact lining specification in terms of size, hinge and latch type and position and fire rating (lining products are assessed to the Certifire accredited FD30 fire rating by Warrington Certification).
Customer feedback to the new range has been overwhelmingly positive. The products and service have proved popular with doorset manufacturers which can perform the operation in-house, effectively adding to their own monthly manufacturing capacity and enabling them to meet demand peaks.
Looking forward, we foresee continued evolution of the market and associated development of products for offsite construction. Offsite is particularly set for further growth in the residential sector in coming years, but we’d also anticipate higher levels of enquiries for the often heavier duty types of product required in commercial projects in the next 12 months.
Sampling a new dimension
W Howard Group has reassured customers that they won’t need cinema-style special specs to see the benefits of its new availableon- request, free 3D samples.
The company has invested in 3D printing technology, enabling it to rapidly produce replicas of the mouldings style customers are interested in. They are also accurate in every detail and dimension.
The latter is guaranteed because the 3D print system is driven by the identical software that programmes W Howard’s moulding machines. So, as W Howard says, “customers can be 100% confident that what they see in terms of the sample will be what they get as a finished product” – and the same applies if they order additional quantities in the future.
The 3D printed samples are made from polylactide (PLA), a biodegradable thermoplastic, and weigh 15g compared to conventional types, which are ten times heavier. That makes it a cost effective way to continue sending samples to customers, enabling them to try out a range of styles in the rooms the end product will be used.
“The ability to produce samples free of charge is a significant step forward in further efforts to improve customer service,” said W Howard senior estimator Nick Woods.
“Previously the sample process was frustrating for partners who wanted samples for their customers. This facility addresses those frustrations at a stroke.”
