January 1, 2019 / Uncategorized
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:
The Modular Building Institute monitors the industry and tabulates relevant industry statistics.
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