‘Flat pack’ firm invests £1m in factory after framework win
East Yorkshire’s Integra Buildings is investing in its growth after being named in the Government’s latest ‘flat pack’ building initiative.
Integra will become a supplier in the Government’s four-year Modular Buildings Solutions Framework, described as a £500m modular building “revolution” for the public sector.
10 new jobs will be created as a direct result of Integra’s involvement in the project, and will undertake an investment of £1m in production facilities at its production site in Paull, east of Hull.
In the past 18 months it has already invested £3m in expanding its manufacturing capabilities.
Integra is forecasting revenues of £30m in 2019, an increase of almost £12m in just three years.
The drive, launched by Crown Commercial Service – a government body which helps the public sector achieve value for money – will see prefabricated project built off-site for the public sector, across the healthcare, education and defence sectors.
Integra designs and constructs buildings off-site in controlled conditions at its purpose-built factories before delivering and installing them on-site. The company says that this reduces project timescales and minimises disruption to customers.
Managing director Gary Parker said: “The Government is making a very serious commitment to modular building and being named on the framework is massive for us.
“At a time when all businesses are having to deal with uncertainty, this will give us the confidence to create new jobs and invest in our people and facilities because of the potential value of the work.
“We’ve already taken on three more people in the past three weeks and we’re currently recruiting for new technical staff to help us remain at the forefront of innovation. We’re confident that more new jobs will follow, supported by projects through this framework.
“In our fast-growing industry, it’s vital to keep investing in people and technology, so being a part of this framework will help us to secure the long-term future of the business.
“It’s also a great opportunity for our suppliers. Ninety per cent of them are based within 30 miles of our site, so by securing a pipeline of work, we’ll broaden and deepen our supply chain and give other local firms a chance to grow.”
Integra is one of 24 preferred suppliers, including major modular manufacturers such as Caledonian, McAvoy and Portakabin, alongside 19 small and medium enterprises.
It has has been named in two lots – involving capital costs of up to £750,000 or hire costs of up to £150,000 (excluding education and healthcare); and capital costs from £750,000 to £3.5m or hire costs from £150,000 to £700,000.
Chris Turner, commercial director at Integra Buildings, said: “There’s been nothing of the size of this framework in our industry before.
“The Government has recognised that offsite construction can help achieve best-value for taxpayers, not only in capital costs, but also running costs, by building facilities that are energy efficient and low maintenance.
“Our aim is always to engage with a client very early in the design process and work closely with them to develop a high-quality building solution that is competitive in pricing.
