With far more ‘genuine’ welcomed interest in Off-Site Manufacturing the past 6 months, our personal experience is:-
- A leaning towards perhaps even a 'sellers market' where collaborative working & mutual respect is now key - little options for supply chain (inc facade firms booked for a long time ahead) in particular for the construction of towers
- It is a labyrinth, an elaborate maize for many potential clients not knowing either what technology is currently available, who to go to with no sufficient relations place, in particular little knowledge of production capacity slots in the market
- Considerable hype with news stories promoting new UK factories that are yet to be even built let alone producing desperately needed homes. Plus a stark difference even between producing prototypes versus full production roll-out hopefully using smart technology
- Both UK & overseas factories guilty of perhaps selling themselves a little too hard but not capable of fulfilling production slots leaving clients disappointed after ‘wetting’ many appetites
- OSM similar to traditional build is riddled with risk, most factories do not offer a turnkey solution as yet, confident/ignorant perhaps customers don’t require it - on the basis of clients wishing to defer risk as much as possible some OSM’s are in for a shock these coming months. A local trusted experienced delivery partner is critical
- Risk must be shared amongst the OSM & a local delivery partner particularly with 3D Volumetric & Elements, Bathroom Pods don’t seem to be such an issue where customers accept ‘plug and play’ with simple delivery to site
- Customer service levels naturally differing world wide (from bad to average, few exceptional) & tolerance levels lowering significantly towards ‘tyre kickers’ testing the market
- Some lack of knowledge by clients generally for what is achievable in OSM design & structurally wise coupled with obvious notably resistance to change, based on little experience, weak relations or suitable proven supply chain
- Senior management/investors becoming insistent on speeding up build times, now having and wishing to consider modern methods including OSM
- A disjointed UK construction market desperate for change in the hope to rise to the challenge of building 4 million homes, quicker, better quality, more efficiently, greener and cost effectively working to BOPAS accredition where necessary
