Volumetric Construction

Volumetric construction is the use of modular building techniques where large portions of the finished product are manufactured off site in a factory and then assembled on site to form a finished structure.  Modular Construction is a subset of Volumetric Construction and the terms are often used interchangeably. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_construction.  Volumetric Construction methods focus on delivering a finished product faster (and with fewer errors) than traditional site-built structures because much of the building takes place in a controlled indoor environment.  See http://www.modular.org/HtmlPage.aspx?name=why_modular.   A time-lapse of a volumetric hotel is visible here.

Participants in the modular construction business can be broken down into three general categories:

• Manufacturers (who manufacture the modules in a plant);
• Dealers (who own and lease modules); and
• General Contractors (who use modules to complete construction projects)

Some of the larger US manufacturers include:

• Guerdon Modular:  https://www.guerdonmodularbuildings.com/
• Whitley Manufacturing:  http://whitleyman.com/
• Titan Modular Systems, Diamond Builders, Southeast Manufacturing, Sunbelt Modular

Modular dealers typically own and manage a fleet of modular buildings that are leased to end users.  See http://www.modular.org/HtmlPage.aspx?name=analysis.  Many dealers lease buildings to the construction and education markets.  Some of the larger US dealers include:

• Williams Scotsman:  www.willscot.com
• VESTA Modular:  www.vestamodular.com
• Mobile Modular:  www.mobilemodular.com

In recent years there has been substantial consolidation in the industry as Williams Scotsman, VESTA Modular and others have acquired other dealers in the space.  See https://www.willscot.com/about/press-room/news-events/id/544/williams-scotsman-completes-modspace-acquisition; https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Vesta+Modular+Acquires+Bankrupt+Modular+Housing+Firm+MSpace+Holdings-a0481215574; https://www.pehub.com/2018/11/balmoral-acquires-vesta-modular/

A few US modular dealers also serve as turnkey general contractors for modular construction projects:

• VESTA Modular.  See https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2018/03/ann_arbor_schools_modulars_for.html

The Modular Building Institute monitors the industry and tabulates relevant industry statistics.