BOPAS
Earlier this week it was reported that registrations under the Build Offsite Property Assurance Scheme (BOPAS - a collaboration among Buildoffsite, BLP Insurance, RICS and Lloyds) have grown significantly over the past three years “with 2018 on track to outperform all previous years”.
This is, perhaps, unsurprising given the broadening range of non-traditional methods of construction in recent years and the corresponding need for long-term protection for funders and end occupiers. Amongst the wide range of systems receiving accreditation, modular or volumetric tend to be the most common as these systems go further in addressing the current skills shortage that is challenging building projects across Ireland and the UK right now. Jeff Maxted, Director of Technical Consultancy at BLP Insurance, said:
“We expect to see registrations continue to rise as the sector wakes up to the benefits of offsite construction in alleviating ongoing pressures of workforce shortages, rising costs and growing construction targets. Offsite and modern methods of construction offer the industry a practical answer to delivering affordable, high quality properties at a speed which can help address the UK’s chronic lack of housing. However, in order to become the mainstream, offsite manufacturing will require coordinated efforts from both the government and the construction industry, to keep momentum going.”
CSIC
Also this week, the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) has issued a public call for construction businesses to submit proposals (by 23rd June 2018) on how to increase efficiency and/or quality through automation with a view to using an offsite manufacturing cell within the Innovation Factory in Hamilton. Up to five firms will receive funding and supports up to a value of £10,000, including access to CSIC’s network of academic and industry partners and access to the 35,000 sq. ft. Innovation Factory facility, which contains 16 pieces of state-of-the-art prototyping and design equipment, including an industrial robot, a collaboration robot, a multi-material 3D printer, a CLT vacuum press and 4 Edge Planer. We are quite excited to see what appears here.
Comments