A new report from
the NHBC Foundation highlights how trailblazing developers are exploring the
use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
The new report, ‘Modern methods of construction: who’s doing what?’,
found that developers at the forefront were investing significantly in MMC and
that a majority had plans to expand the number of homes they build using such
methods.
Among the house
builders, housing associations and developer/manufacturers included, the report
details high levels of adoption of different, advanced forms of MMC such as
volumetric modules and panelised systems. Better quality, improved efficiency,
accelerated delivery and increased productivity are cited by these developers
as key factors driving their uptake of MMC.
The report, which
was produced on behalf of the NHBC Foundation by Cast, which is led by Mark
Farmer, author of the Farmer Review, features a range of case studies,
demonstrating a diversity of approaches to the adoption of MMC, as well as a
wider survey which showed that 30% of those studied were already investing in
their own manufacturing facility and a further 9% had plans to do so. In
addition, and as a further indication of confidence, 62% were committing funds
to research and development to enhance technologies further.
Commenting on the
new report, Neil Smith, NHBC Head of Standards, Innovation and Research, said:
“The study explores the current levels of interest in MMC from a range of
developers of different sizes and types and provides a useful benchmark to
gauge future trends and patterns in the uptake of innovative forms of
construction.
“Overall, the
findings demonstrate a clear commitment by developers to delivering
high-quality new homes through the adoption of MMC. As this confidence in
MMC grows and more technologies become proven, we will begin to realise the
full potential for MMC to build more, and higher-quality, homes.”
Mark Farmer, chief
executive of Cast, added: “We’re delighted to see NHBC Foundation taking a lead
here in raising industry awareness of industry’s gradual move towards embracing
MMC. This report highlights how pre-manufacturing has the potential to drive
not just productivity and profit - but quality and efficiency.
“What is also clear
is that developers are approaching the use of MMC in different ways. We expect
that pre-manufacturing will continue be used in a variety of combinations and
using different materials and systems.”
