Illuminating recent discussions of Modular....my personal opinion of many statements of concern
We all have opinions and different experiences in life, mine is visiting 50 OSM factories worldwide and re-locating to the Baltics to be in the thick of it both Modular and construction product wise. There is room for everyone and the UK has a tremendous opportunity to adopt to modern methods of construction adding significant value including helping to resolve our housing crisis. Key issues are safety to workers, quality, accreditation, delivery and cost effective solutions that fit.
Comments to me from various including clients, property developers, consultants & architects during the past few weeks. We have moved on from initial concerns of "you can't get mortgages" thank goodness, to more serious informed experienced queries;
"We can't get anybody to quote, they are full to capacity" referring to UK OSM's, whilst it is challenging to source pricing always there are smaller UK companies willing to help but the issue is do they actually have a factory yet? Have they produced even prototypes? Are they experienced enough to deliver? Are they well financed to be able to fund the project? The UK's top 4 OSM's are full to capacity unless I am told otherwise I doubt I stand corrected. Meanwhile overseas is a mine field of potential modular solutions which needs considerable research and relationship management to establish trust. Most are 70% - 100% full and within a heartbeat those that do have capacity can fill capacity overnight. Give them a good reason to create sustainable relationships with you.
"I think there maybe a cartel forming" OSM's may hold the cards, I don't think strictly there is a cartel (yet) but as time moves on factories will be in demand more than ever. Don't take it personally as I have said in many blogs OSM's are focused on filling production capacity and won't have time 'dilly dally'. The UK in particular needs to be focused on real live projects and not dreams otherwise the factories will lose interest rapidly, and may I am sure, refuse to tender, that will increase no doubt with the huge uptake in modular. Cartel is a strong word but the solution really is to build partnerships and embrace true collaborative working.
