Offsite & MMC

Mat Lown is head of ESG and sustainability at TFT Consultants Among the biggest issues currently facing the UK construction industry are the risks associated with global supply chains. We are all aware of the contributing factors and the impact they can have on construction projects. In particular, rising development…

Contractors have been invited to bid for work on a bumper government offsite-construction framework worth £10bn. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS), which is procuring the scheme for the government, notified firms to the Offsite Construction Solutions (OCS) framework this week. It will be open for use by all government departments…

Lendlease was the contractor with which the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spent the most money in the last financial year, Construction News can reveal. Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show the Australian-owned multinational topped the government body’s spending in 2021/22 with £149.5m – double the next best-placed…

Housebuilder Countryside Partnerships has put its modular panel factory in Bardon, Leicestershire, up for sale. Last month, Construction News reported that the firm had closed one of its three modern method of construction (MMC) factories as it grapples with loses. It followed the business’ adjusted operating profit, dropping from £37m…

Offsite modular specialist Elements Europe has landed a £100m deal to build a hotel and office scheme in Hackney, London. The development is located on East Road and will feature a 17-storey modular hotel build, constructed in a volumetric fashion, which means that large chunks of factory-produced elements will be…

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will try to overturn a council decision to block construction of a massive new prison in Lancashire. The planning application for a male prison in Ulnes Walton was submitted in August 2021, and although it was recommended for approval by planning officers, it was rejected…

The UK arm of a giant global modular housebuilder has received an £11.5m investment. Sekisui House UK, a subsidiary of the Japan-based Sekisui, received the capital injection from its owner on 23 December after it issued new shares. It was the second such move the parent company made in 2021,…

Innovative techniques that allow storeys to be built using the floor below as a working platform are being delivered at a former metalwork site in central London. Joshua Stein reports

Scheme: The Forge, London Bridge Client: Landsec Main contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine / Mace joint venture MEP subcontractor: NG Bailey…

Bouygues UK is developing its use of offsite to help cope with labour shortages, according to its chief executive. In an interview with Construction News, Rob Bradley said he believes the labour shortage will be around for longer than material-price problems, but his firm is taking action, which includes looking…

Mark Farmer is chief executive of Cast Consultancy While the opportunities for innovation through research and development in construction are immense, it is also well recognised that the industry is in reality a collection of very different sub-markets, all with their own business models and ways of working. One of…