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is essential . This can be managed in various ways , but experienced operators have a simple and effective tactic . By using a series of interconnecting factories , manufacturing facilities can be expanded at times of high demand and closed off if a project for example , suffers planning delays .
Another strategy is acquisition and investment
Portakabin has recently confirmed the acquisition of healthcare modular buildings specialist Darwin Group . The companies say the move will offer significant benefits to healthcare providers across the UK . The acquisition was driven by a shared belief that every patient should have access to worldleading healthcare facilities that empower clinicians and the broader healthcare system to deliver exceptional care .
And whilst Legal & General ( L & G ) has made the decision to close its modular housebuilding factory citing the impact of the pandemic and planning delays – Aviva Capital Partners ( ACP ) is investing £ 20 million into TopHat . This equity funding will support TopHat ’ s major new factory in Corby and the creation of 1000 new jobs . The factory , anticipated to operate from summer 2024 , has been designed to be capable of manufacturing 4000 ultra-low carbon homes a year and will be Europe ’ s largest modular housing factory .
The answer to the UK housing crisis
Fast-build modular homes are certainly one of the answers to the UK housing crisis . The quality , energy efficiency , speed and sustainable manufacturing processes achieved in a factory environment are difficult if not impossible to replicate using a traditional site-based construction approach .
Taking a long-term view , ACP states that this investment was driven by the sustainability credentials of TopHat ’ s lowcarbon homes . In 2025 , compliance with the UK Government ’ s Future Homes Standard will become mandatory . Its aim is to ensure that new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-to-80 percent less carbon emissions than homes built under the current Building Regulations . UK housing stock ’ s operational emissions is also vital for the UK to meet its legally binding net zero targets and modular homes can provide a fast and effective solution .
Evidencing value
Pre-Manufactured Value ( PMV ) is another driving force in the specification of volumetric technology in public projects – particularly in the healthcare and education sectors . PMV is a core metric for measuring the level of MMC in a project and is central to the UK Government ’ s procurement programmes . To
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