The time for construction innovation is NOW!

Mtech Consult has been instrumental in presenting the business case and benefits of Offsite to the UK construction sector since 1995; the performance improvements it delivers have never been so necessary.

The current economic climate is undeniably tough and even though the chancellor may have spared the construction sector from the worst case scenario some of us envisaged, we are all still expecting tougher times ahead as the public sector purse is squeezed ever tighter.

We could be forgiven for another round of gloom and despondency in Offsite, as we traditionally bear the brunt of any economic downturn. However, despite the belt tightening, or very possibly because of it, many construction clients and major project teams are keen to explore new ways of improving their build methods and overall construction performance.

In our role as the UK's leading specialist Offsite consultancy we advise and support construction project teams on how best to exploit Offsite technology, and we are seeing the major players moving to introduce and embed structural changes in the way they deliver buildings... positive, clear signs that established repeat construction clients and major national main constructors are recognising the importance of innovative new building techniques and processes.

There's a belief out there that it might just be the industry's saviour. From the client's perspective, innovation must improve the end product both in terms of in service use and maintenance performance and to the constructor, innovation should simplify and de-risk the delivery activity.

But what does this mean in practice? What innovations does the sector actually need? What can manufacturers or systems providers develop, refine and offer to these informed customers? Analysing our recent major projects, a number of themes appear:

Integrated build solutions

Firstly, this client group is clearly looking for factory based building elements that deliver integrated solutions rather than addressing a single construction issue.

Examples include internal fit-out walling systems delivered to site complete with all M&E services and decorative finishes, M&E pipework racks for corridor distribution, including fire protected bulkheads and the corridor wall, or bathroom pods incorporating the corridor wall, bedroom door and possibly the fan coil unit.

Customisation & material agnostic

Another opportunity for manufacturers is to become material agnostic. This client group does not like committing to a single material or system typology at the early design stage. They are seeking suppliers capable of working with a number of different material types and system scopes which together can provide a range of construction solutions across many different build projects.

Ideally the days of saying we only make it in black are long gone. But have we yet arrived at the point where a bathroom pod supplier can offer a full range of material and configuration types, from precast to LSF, from GRP to composite materials (LSF & concrete)?

It may be difficult for manufacturers to comprehend how this could be possible and even practical after so long as a 'monogamist', wedded to one system or material type.

Environmental performance

Environmental performance is a key issue and potential differentiator for the building systems manufacturer. Does your system offer a lower environmental impact than traditional methods of build or a competitor product?

Historically this has been a difficult question to answer, however Mtech Consult has invested significantly in environmental profiling for Offsite and factory manufactured building systems; we can now verify your environmental profile on a cradle to grave basis. Depending on the system, analysis shows that Offsite technologies can be significantly more sustainable than site-based methods.

The Time is RIGHT!

We sense that now is the time for Offsite system manufacturers to invest in new product and process development to exploit the growing mood in the construction industry... they've identified that they can use the current climate to embed innovation into the way they build; we need to rise to the challenge and deliver!