Back for it’s second year at the ExCel, London. The OffSite Construction Show, in association with Buildoffsite was another great success.
The show featured more than 75 exhibiting companies showcasing new products, materials and offsite manufacturers.
Both days were packed full of seminars with guest speakers providing informative discussion on topics such as assessing the skills implications of an offsite approach, best practice for using an offsite approach, BIM & how to undertake a successful modular project.
Along side of the seminars were proactive workshops, hosted by guest speakers from BRE, Design 4 Structures, BLP & Buildoffsite.
What is impressive about this event is the scale. When you get so many companies in one room from the offsite sector, you realise how large the sector is and how diverse the solutions are too. From steel frames, pre cast concrete, insulated panels and modular systems, there really is something for everyone to learn about.
I spent one of the days working with Actavo Building Solutions stand as an exhibitor, where I got to meet a number of prospective clients with a wide range of skill sets. Engineers, local authorities, private investors and other main contractors, all interested to know more about our solutions and how we could help them with upcoming projects.
As a turnkey provider, Actavo can complete all aspects of a project from planning, ground works, manufacturing, installing and external works. So what I enjoyed most about being on the stand for day is being able to introduce modular construction to clients for the first time. Explaining what we can offer and install confidence in them that we have the ability to deliver.
It’s amazing how many people still base perceptions of modular buildings on their experience from either being taught in one or using one as a toilet on site. When I talk through from start to finish the processes involved in the construction and how far modular construction has come, it’s almost a light bulb moment for them and they want to know more.
A majority of those that visited the stand were interested in housing. Whether it was apartment block or terraces, there was a clear interest on how this could work. For some time now, off site housing has been in the media and how this method of construction could be the future of construction. This was certainly reflected in some of the discussions I had on the day, specifically from local authorities looking to understand how they can integrate off site as part of new affordable housing developments in the pipeline.
The clear benefits of modular housing for the local authorities is not only the speed of construction to allow faster occupation but the ability to provide cost certainty for a good 90-95% of the total superstructure. To know how much a building will cost upfront is important when applying for funding and assigning budgets.
With modular housing being recognised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders under assurance schemes such as BOPAS (Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme), the market is seeing an increased number of new start up companies looking to manufacture houses off site. Both private consortia and local authorities are exploring new factory opportunities to produce stock with. It’s exciting times for the industry and this really was highlighted at the OffSite Construction Show this year.
The show will be back again on the 20th-21st November 2018 at the ExCel. Tickets are free for visitors. For more information on previous exhibitors and why you should visit, take a look at the Off Site Construction Show Website here: https://offsiteconstructionshow.co.uk/