Elements Europe Discuss Off-Site Construction with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Kate Pickstock and Simon Underwood from Elements Europe joined industry representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to discuss how off-site construction can improve the UK’s Productivity.

The government is committed to improving productivity and Elements Europe is well positioned to help achieve it.

Discussions included how the government’s housing strategy is looking at ways of promoting off-site construction through policies, funds and grants in areas such as apprenticeships, factory investment and innovation.

The representatives also looked at how the industry and government can work together to make the UK a world leader by embracing Elements Europe’s offering and product principles on a wider basis throughout all sectors of the industry.

“Close collaboration is essential between the industry and the government in order to maximise productivity and to meet the ever-growing demand for accommodation” commented Simon Underwood, Managing Director at Elements Europe.

Following the meeting, Simon Underwood has been asked to engage with the Construction Leadership Council’s Innovation work stream to work with the industry in driving off-site solutions.

The Construction Leadership Council believes productivity improvements will be achieved by focusing on delivering better more certain outcomes by using BIM enabled ways of working, increasing the proportion of off-site manufacturing to improve productivity, quality and safety and getting more out of new and existing assets through the use of smart technology.

“I look forward to working with the Construction Leadership Council going forward and believe that off-site construction can help boost the UK’s productivity” added Underwood.

Elements Europe Receive FORS Accreditation

Elements Europe has been accredited to be a member of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

FORS is a voluntary accreditation scheme that promotes best practice for commercial vehicle operators. With over 4,250 members, FORS is gaining recognition as the transport industry’s go-to accreditation scheme.

FORS encompasses all aspects of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection by encouraging and training fleet operators to measure, monitor and improve performance. FORS provides accreditation pathways for operators of any type, and for those organisations that award contracts and specify transport requirements.

Kevin Arthur, Director commented “We are delighted to become a FORS member, showing we go above and beyond requirements”.

“Safety, efficiency and environmental protection has always been important to us, now being a member of FORS proves this” he added.  

First Modules Arrive in Plymouth

Elements Europe has commenced delivery of Room Modules to a student accommodation scheme in Plymouth’s City centre.

The main contractor on-site is sister company Pickstock Construction, specialists in the development of modular buildings.

The site will provide Plymouth students with state of the art accommodation comprising of two tower blocks one standing at 13 storeys and the other at 10. Elements Europe will manufacture 349 Room Modules which will be installed into the 13 storey tower block with the adjacent 10 storey facility being built traditionally by Pickstock Construction. Elements Europe, will however manufacture 60 Bathroom Pods to be installed into this block, therefore eliminating major M&E works.

The modules will be delivered direct from Elements Europe’s production facility in Telford to site in Plymouth where they will be installed upon arrival over a three month period using one of the two tower cranes on-site.

Phil Hughes Transport Manager commented “We are pleased to have started delivering the modules and will operate a seamless install procedure liaising with the team on-site prior to delivery.”

The accommodation will offer students a choice of studio and en-suite rooms. Elements Europe will also manufacture kitchen modules for students occupying cluster flats.

The modules have been designed by The Pickstock Group and offer the latest contemporary student accommodation with space and functionality in mind.

Essential Living Sign Off Creekside Wharf Prototype

Elements Europe has welcomed Essential Living to its Production Facility in Telford to showcase the prototype for its Creekside Wharf development.

The prototype, which has been completed only six months after the basement excavation commenced, has been manufactured  for the 249 home build to rent scheme in Greenwich.

Production will commence on all Modules at the beginning of February, with the haulage team scheduled to make its first delivery and install in March.

One of the world’s tallest freestanding tower cranes has been erected on-site in order to install Modules into the two buildings which make up the development.  One 23 storeys high and the other 12 storeys high.

Elements Europe will manufacture 653 modules in total that make up the 249 two and three bed apartments.

Simon Underwood, Managing Director at Elements Europe commented “We are really pleased that the prototype has been approved and we now have the green light to commence production of all Room Modules for the scheme.”

 “A lot of hard work has gone into getting the design and engineering right, we look forward to seeing the first modules arrive on site.” Underwood added.