Modularize – Rebrand Pays Off

Posted by Construction Industry News Magazine on 9th January 2023 -

Historically Modularize has been an engineering led firm but two years ago the company took a strategic decision to lead with its architectural function, which saw the business rebrand with its Think Smart. Build Smarter campaign. This has seen a huge transformation of the organisation because it is now in a position to influence DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) solutions from start to finish.   

Modularize acts as MMC advisor in the early project stages and dovetails in its architectural services as the RIBA stages progress. This change in business operations not only builds upon the firm’s engineering background but also allows it to benefit from its intimate knowledge of the supply chain, offering architectural services that include all the nuts and bolts level of thinking that clients expect from an engineering consultancy.  

Modularize’s consultancy services run in parallel to its architectural services and it offers a range of expertise and experience in developing, optimising and maintaining construction product platforms. Thanks to the breadth of its operation, it can work across all sectors and all geographies including international projects. Its client base therefore ranges from system manufacturers and their supply-chains, through to developers, housing associations and public sector clients. 

Despite its strengths and varied customer base, Modularize is not immune to the challenges that are affecting all areas of the construction sector. “The stark reality is that we have a skilled labour shortage and that, coupled with the supply chain disruption from recent economic events of Covid-19 and Russia’s war in mainland Europe, have resulted in longer lead times and material shortages,” explains Founder and CEO, Matthew Egan. “There are challenges across the entire sector but MMC and methods of manufactured construction do offer the higher levels of productivity that we need to strive for. The current market conditions, alongside the positive push from government, are already starting to force main contractors, institutional investors and smart developers to take MMC seriously and we predict this will only continue to grow.” 

With the benefits of MMC being so ideally suited to meeting the needs of the current construction sector, Modularize’s own strengths make it even better placed to capitalise on the opportunities. “Our close relationships with manufacturers and the supply chain means we have a unique understanding of the offsite sector,” adds Mr Egan. “It’s our engineering background, deep understanding of DfMA and what actually works on-site that gives us our differentiating factor. Modularize can integrate different MMC systems into a project solution, often alongside traditional parts of the construction because we work across all MMC system categories encompassing a range of materials. This allows us to add value at very early stages of a project. The earlier we are engaged the more value we can add. We won’t try and shoe-horn a particular system into a project just for the sake of it. Although we do have preferred manufacturing partners, our ultimate interest is in ensuring that the right system is applied to the right scheme for the right reasons. That might not always be MMC and if it isn’t then we’ll tell you, but if it is then you can rest assured that we’ll make that scheme fit whatever delivery method is best.” 

In terms of projects where Modularize’s skills have come to the fore, it recently worked closely with MAR Offsite, a Modular Building Specialist in Hull, East Yorkshire, to maximise the offsite potential for an affordable housing project in Peckham, South London for the charity Centrepoint. This project was the first of its kind and forms part of Centrepoint’s Independent Living Programme to provide 300 young people with a home across London and Manchester. Modularize used its wealth of experience to design modular homes that were not just affordable to build, but also designed to be affordable to run with predicted energy costs of £100 per annum to heat one of the homes. 

Modularize is now aiming to build on the success of this project by keeping the momentum going, as Mr Egan concludes: “We want to continue to attract talent and grow. Our architectural services are up and running better than we ever expected and our focus into 2023 is in refining the consultancy services we offer. Alongside this, we continue to develop and promote our culture of entrepreneurial flair throughout our workforce. You’ll see some interesting and exciting projects, products and services being launched early in 2023 as a direct result of our industry knowledge, expertise and the investment we make into our staff. This will continue as we look around the sector for the best designers and consultants to join us.” 

 

Article sourced from CIN Magazine 

 

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