On Wednesday 31st July, the Offsite Manufacturing and Technology Group were fortunate to visit the British Offsite Factory in Braintree, Essex.
The group heard from Paul Cashman, Business Development Manager, about the innovative products and process undertaken at the factory, using their advanced robotics assembly line. They were then given the opportunity to explore the site and witness the robots and manufacturing solutions in place.
British Offsite, subsidiary of The Weston Group, continue to use products the construction industry is 100% familiar with but pre-manufacture more onto their panels, offsite.
UNisystem
The UNisystem is a light gauge steel framing system and infill panels, made by British Offsite’s robotics assembly line. It is the next generation of steel construction and is helping to boost productivity across the industry through its innovative pre-manufacturing processes. This system enables products to be delivered on site ready for use, reducing build time, delays and workers required. Read more, here.
The UNisystem can be applied to low, mid and high-rise buildings through SFS (non load bearing) and LB (load bearing options). The SFS system can be applied to building over 6 storeys and the LB system applied to those under 6 storeys.
Discover case studies of the projects already using this innovative system.
The Factory
The British Offsite Factory implements hybrid manufacturing and construction which integrates modern methods of construction with traditional methods. The factory uses a robotics assembly line which, rather than reduce their need for workers, has enabled them to retain staff, upskill their workers and quadruple their outputs.
This type of precision pre-manufacturing enables numerous benefits to construction from tackling skills shortages, to moving towards Net Zero carbon.
Benefits to Industry
- Tackling the skills shortage: Utilising the pre-manufactured panellised system eliminates 5 different trades from onsite work.
- Reducing carbon: On average, around 900 tonnes of carbon can be saved onsite due to a reduction in deliveries.
- Reduced waste: precision manufacturing leaves less onsite waste, offcuts and leftover materials.
- Time savings: This system allows for fit-out to begin 3 floors below where the panels are being installed, enabling work to continue while waiting for upper floors to be constructed.
- Cost savings: Reduced need for materials storage as less waiting times, therefore reducing storage costs and potential damages to materials.
Get Involved
If you’d like to join us for the next Offsite Manufacturing and Technology event, get in touch to find out more. Or visit our events page to see what Constructing Excellence and our other groups are up to next.
