A newly-launched MMC assembly business known as British Offsite will sell the UNI System range of light gauge panels, walls, roofs and floors.

To launch the British Offsite business, Weston has invested £6m in a new factory for the light gauge steel panels to run along alongside its existing factory in Braintree, Essex.

New factcory production line

Its new factory’s robotic production line has capacity to deliver 4,000 homes per year, radically reducing the risk and delays in construction and is claimed to be the most advanced light gauge steel panel assembly line in Europe.

The system is flexible and can be used for hybrid MMC elements in houses, mid-rise and high-rise sites.

As well as steel panel British Offsite will also manufacture internal fitout modules, under its BOS Fitout brand, which includes bathroom components, kitchen and bedroom products.

Shaun Weston, managing director of British Offsite said: “We have launched the business to radically reduce the risk and delays in construction, an unrivalled delivery capacity helping to deliver occupiable homes faster.’

He said that one fully dressed UNI Panel could be produced every 15 minutes, and the panels for one entire apartment could be produced every 60 minutes.

Shaun and Bob Weston ramp up MMC offer for housing developers

The British Offsite factories have capacity for up to 150,000 linear metres of UNI System products per year, and will run for 20 hours per day, producing panels with windows, doors, insulation, vents, fire stopping and external cladding in place, manufactured to a developer’s needs.

Weston added: “British Offsite is proud to be part of the new wave of high tech British manufacturing.

“The skills shortage in the construction industry was widely reported before Brexit, and now we’re in a post-Brexit environment where the pandemic has further reduced access to skills.

“With the work of up to five trades consolidated into our panels, our customers are more protected from the skills shortage and construction can continue unhindered.”

British Offsite said it could convert planned projects over to UNI System construction in as little as 120 days from order.