Offsite specialist M-AR has hosted its first factory open day, welcoming more than 50 visitors to its large manufacturing facility and head office in Hull for an in-depth insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
Touring M-AR's 100,000sq ft factory, visitors were able to see a live project in progress from start to finish – from the arrival of the raw materials, through each stage on the production line as the modules took shape before being finished, wrapped and loaded ready to deliver to site. At full capacity, the large factory is set up to be able to build 400 modules a year which equates to around five average sized homes per factory operative per year.
The team also demonstrated its new Combilift mobile gantry crane, which is the largest crane of its type in Europe with a working capacity of 20t and a lifting height of six metres. The new machinery gives M-AR the ability to load, unload, move and stack if required directly from its manufacturing site in any weather, at any time helping the team to consistently deliver projects on schedule.
The factory open day, which is set to become a regular feature on the M-AR calendar with several events lanned each year, forms a key part of its open-door, transparent culture. It went down a storm with visitors who attended on the day, with more already showing an interest in future events.
Ryan Geldard, Operations Director at M-AR said: "This was something that we've wanted to do for a while now so it was great to be able to throw open our doors and welcome visitors from all different areas of the offsite industry. As well as showing off our manufacturing facility, the event provided an opportunity for the sharing of ideas – something which I am genuinely passionate about. Collaboration is key to maximising the benefits of offsite and the whole industry will ultimately benefit if we work together more closely by sharing best practice and new ways of working. It was a fantastic day and we've had so much positive feedback that we'll definitely be making it a regular feature in the future."
M-AR has also forged stronger links with one of its key specialist suppliers, TDSG, who collectively provide structural engineering and steel detailing services. TDSG, who provide structural engineering hand in hand with 3D Tekla design and detailing for structural steelwork, has worked with M-AR for several years across multiple large-scale projects. Providing solutions for M-AR that improves project efficiency, removes communication barriers and enhances delivery outcomes.
Working in partnership rather than as two separate entities has opened up a dialogue of effective and proactive communication between M-AR and TDSG which aids the smooth-running of M-AR's projects. Sharing information freely benefits both parties as M-AR can give TDSG advance notice of its requirements for pipeline projects and TDSG in turn can flag up any potential issues before they arise, to allow time to resolve them or for an alternative solution to be found before the build programme gets underway. This level of communication ensures M-AR has a constant and reliable information before a project goes to manufacture.
Daniel Leech, CEO, TDSG commented: "The construction industry is a tough place to operate. After thirty years of business at TDSG, Ryan and his team at M-AR have shown us the value in having a client that values what we bring to the table, treats us as an equal and really pushes his team to adopt the type of culture that allows us to thrive rather than survive. We share a dedication to investing into the digital asset and the front end, early engagement, and having as many stakeholders as possible contribute to ensuring that with the right information and data, the building of the physical asset can be lean, accurate and efficient. We are really looking forward to growing our business alongside M-AR for the foreseeable future."
Source: www.m-ar.co.uk
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