£5m Bathroom Pod Contracts

Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been awarded two contracts totalling £5m for nearly 1,500 bathroom pods for Downing’s first co-living scheme.

Offsite Solutions has worked on more than 20 Downing projects since 2013, involving the manufacture of nearly 10,000 pods to date in contracts worth over £23m.

Designed by Simpson Haugh, Square Gardens is a £400m co-living scheme in Manchester developed and built by Downing, which will provide new homes for rent – a mix of private studios to five-bedroom apartments.

This project is also the very first application of Offsite Solutions’ new large format tile-effect finish for its GRP bathroom pods. An expanded range of finishes have recently been developed to widen the scope of factory-finished GRP shower rooms and bathrooms specifically for the build-to-rent sector.

Offsite Solutions is manufacturing 1,487 GRP shower rooms and ensuite bathrooms for towers A, B and block D up to the 17th storey. All the pods will be supplied floorless – a highly efficient solution to minimise floor build-up on high-rise apartment projects.

Commenting on Downing’s use of pods for this scheme, Andy Thomas, Operations Director at Downing, said,

“Manufacturing bathrooms offsite gives us a huge benefit in terms of programme, reduction of waste on site and certainty in quality.  Our demand for pods is pretty high once the internal fitout process starts on site, so keeping up with our programme is absolutely critical for Downing.”

“Pod technology continues to advance. At Square Gardens we are utilising new higher specification GRP finishes and floorless pods. We are happy with the level of quality and finish that Offsite Solutions achieves with its bathroom pods for Downing and have a good relationship with their organisation at every level.”

James Stephens, Managing Director of Offsite Solutions said, “Downing is one of our longest standing clients. We have provided GRP bathroom pods which have been rolled out on multiple student living schemes developed by Downing across the UK for more than 10 years. We are delighted to now be working on their major co-living development in the heart of Manchester.”

“Over the life of GRP pods, we estimate that the operating cost saving is at least 90 per cent more than in-situ bathroom construction. GRP pod technology continues to advance and we have now developed a series of new aesthetic options and features that developers can specify to further enhance tenant appeal in the shared living space.”

“We can also engineer standardised designs that developers can specify for multiple schemes – as we have done for many years with Downing – further increasing the efficiency of construction and optimising all the benefits of offsite manufacturing.”

All the pods will feature Offsite Solutions’ newly developed large format tile-effect finish in matt white – removing the need for porcelain tiles and grout lines to the wet areas. This option significantly reduces maintenance costs for retained assets.

The larger shower rooms for Square Gardens will have a 1.7m long shower with a sliding door and wall-mounted thermostatic shower. The pods will be fitted out in the factory with a three-door mirrored wall cabinet, bar tower rail, LED lighting, wall hung toilet, and a rectangular wall-mounted hand basin with a pearl white solid surface vanity top above. The ensuite shower pods will have a 780mm shower with a pivot door and a single mirrored wall cabinet.

Due for completion in 2024, Square Gardens aims to simplify and improve residents’ experience of living in the city centre by providing a quality place to live that is not only affordable, secure and convenient but creates a vibrant new connected community.

Offsite Solutions offers the largest range of bathroom pods of any UK manufacturer and to suit different building types, tenures and market sectors. Options include steel-framed bathroom pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, PRS, student residences and hotels, and robust and low maintenance GRP composite shower and bath pods for student living, build-to-rent, care homes, social housing and healthcare.

 

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Tackling the skills shortage with Vepps

As the current skills shortage continues to threaten the UK construction industry, it’s vital that manufacturers and suppliers make conscious changes to alleviate the pressures felt across the sector.

 

 

 

Venesta are renowned across the world for their continuous innovation in commercial washroom systems, including Vepps, their modular pre-plumbed panelling solution. Vepps, previously known as IPS, is the industry’s first precision engineered pre-plumbed panel system designed by Venesta, which brings together cutting-edge technology and the latest in sanitaryware designs.
Specifying Vepps panelling in commercial washrooms not only saves you money over the life span of a project, but will also speed up onsite installation times by a staggering 50%. Here we shine a spotlight on all the benefits of choosing Vepps over alternative plain panel washroom systems, and how the solution is helping tackle the skills shortage.

Fewer people, more work.
Last summer, the industry training body CITB estimated that the industry would need another 217,000 workers over the next five years to offset the loss of resource, together with projected productivity gains and changes in the workload mix.
They forecasted a bounce back from the pandemic, with an 11% rise in construction output in 2021, followed by a steady 3% growth each year until 2025.
So where does that leave you? It’s great news that the construction industry is strong, but getting materials and skills on site is proving to be an ongoing major headache.

Pre-plumbed units ease the pain.
More construction is being moved off site and pre-plumbed IPS panelling systems, such as Venesta’s Vepps, are a good example of that.
Vepps is the next generation in IPS systems. By fitting and testing the sanitaryware and sanitary assemblies in the Venesta factory, everything is delivered as a ready-made unit. It can result in big time and cost savings without having to source carpenters and timber to build the frames and plumbers to fit the sanitaryware.
It’s easier from a health and safety perspective too – less people, less manual handling and generally less dust and dirt too. Plus there’s also the environmental benefit of a single delivery and significantly reduced packaging, compared to plain panel alternatives.

Four simple steps for installation.
Precision engineering ensures the metal framed panels are supplied to the exact measurements for your project. Installed in 4 simple steps, each Vepps unit can be up and running in half the time compared to traditional plain panels and without the need for specialist trades.
Reduced installation time, the need for fewer workers onsite and a speedier completion – all by specifying Vepps.

Flexibility and choice.
From cutting-edge sanitaryware to simple budget options, our close partnerships with Armitage Shanks, Ideal Standard and SanCeram give you complete flexibility to choose industry-leading products to complement your washroom design.
So whether you’re working on a healthcare, education, retail or commercial washroom project, Venesta feel confident they’ll have suitable pre-plumbed panelling solutions for you.

Simple and efficient ongoing maintenance.
Vepps’ highly engineered, linear-bearing lift-up hinges allow easy access to concealed duct space for hassle-free ongoing maintenance. The 90˚ hinges ensure effortless, smooth movement time and time again while eliminating manual handling issues, preventing panels being damaged during maintenance.
Each pre-plumbed Vepps unit comes complete with a state-of-the-art dowel dock system which has been designed for perfect panel alignment, even when specifying a luxury continuous wood veneer effect finish. Dowel docks also incorporate panel protect buffers which prevent damage as panels are opened and closed time and time again for any maintenance works.

Guaranteed quality.
Each Vepps unit is manufactured, pre-plumbed and vigorously tested at Venesta’s UK manufacturing facility, meaning that no plumbing or testing has to be done onsite, helping to speed up installation time even more. Not stopping there, Vepps comes with a rock-solid 10 year guarantee for added peace of mind for the end user.

Venesta’s service defines them.
For every single project, Venesta’s experienced, friendly and enthusiastic team make it their mission to guide you through from inception to completion – on spec, on time and within budget. Speak with the team to get help with Venesta’s range of IPS products and the ordering process. If you have drawings, our Specification Managers can also produce NBS specifications and estimates within 24 hours, at no cost to you.

To discuss your current or future commercial washroom projects,

please call the team on 01474 353333

or CLICK HERE to email Venesta

www.venesta.co.uk

 

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Tackling the skills shortage with Vepps

As the current skills shortage continues to threaten the UK construction industry, it’s vital that manufacturers and suppliers make conscious changes to alleviate the pressures felt across the sector.

Venesta are renowned across the world for their continuous innovation in commercial washroom systems, including Vepps, their modular pre-plumbed panelling solution. Vepps, previously known as IPS, is the industry’s first precision engineered pre-plumbed panel system designed by Venesta, which brings together cutting-edge technology and the latest in sanitaryware designs.
Specifying Vepps panelling in commercial washrooms not only saves you money over the life span of a project, but will also speed up onsite installation times by a staggering 50%. Here we shine a spotlight on all the benefits of choosing Vepps over alternative plain panel washroom systems, and how the solution is helping tackle the skills shortage.

Fewer people, more work.
Last summer, the industry training body CITB estimated that the industry would need another 217,000 workers over the next five years to offset the loss of resource, together with projected productivity gains and changes in the workload mix.
They forecasted a bounce back from the pandemic, with an 11% rise in construction output in 2021, followed by a steady 3% growth each year until 2025.
So where does that leave you? It’s great news that the construction industry is strong, but getting materials and skills on site is proving to be an ongoing major headache.

Pre-plumbed units ease the pain.
More construction is being moved off site and pre-plumbed IPS panelling systems, such as Venesta’s Vepps, are a good example of that.
Vepps is the next generation in IPS systems. By fitting and testing the sanitaryware and sanitary assemblies in the Venesta factory, everything is delivered as a ready-made unit. It can result in big time and cost savings without having to source carpenters and timber to build the frames and plumbers to fit the sanitaryware.
It’s easier from a health and safety perspective too – less people, less manual handling and generally less dust and dirt too. Plus there’s also the environmental benefit of a single delivery and significantly reduced packaging, compared to plain panel alternatives.
Four simple steps for installation.
Precision engineering ensures the metal framed panels are supplied to the exact measurements for your project. Installed in 4 simple steps, each Vepps unit can be up and running in half the time compared to traditional plain panels and without the need for specialist trades.
Reduced installation time, the need for fewer workers onsite and a speedier completion – all by specifying Vepps.

Flexibility and choice.
From cutting-edge sanitaryware to simple budget options, our close partnerships with Armitage Shanks, Ideal Standard and SanCeram give you complete flexibility to choose industry-leading products to complement your washroom design.
So whether you’re working on a healthcare, education, retail or commercial washroom project, Venesta feel confident they’ll have suitable pre-plumbed panelling solutions for you.

Simple and efficient ongoing maintenance.
Vepps’ highly engineered, linear-bearing lift-up hinges allow easy access to concealed duct space for hassle-free ongoing maintenance. The 90˚ hinges ensure effortless, smooth movement time and time again while eliminating manual handling issues, preventing panels being damaged during maintenance.
Each pre-plumbed Vepps unit comes complete with a state-of-the-art dowel dock system which has been designed for perfect panel alignment, even when specifying a luxury continuous wood veneer effect finish. Dowel docks also incorporate panel protect buffers which prevent damage as panels are opened and closed time and time again for any maintenance works.

Guaranteed quality.
Each Vepps unit is manufactured, pre-plumbed and vigorously tested at Venesta’s UK manufacturing facility, meaning that no plumbing or testing has to be done onsite, helping to speed up installation time even more. Not stopping there, Vepps comes with a rock-solid 10 year guarantee for added peace of mind for the end user.

Venesta’s service defines them.
For every single project, Venesta’s experienced, friendly and enthusiastic team make it their mission to guide you through from inception to completion – on spec, on time and within budget. Speak with the team to get help with Venesta’s range of IPS products and the ordering process.

If you have drawings, our Specification Managers can also produce NBS specifications and estimates within 24 hours, at no cost to you.

 

 

 

To discuss your current or future washroom projects, please

call the team on 01474 353333

or email marketing@venesta.co.uk

or visit www.venesta.co.uk

 

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INDUSTRY EMBRACING OFFSITE

A Newry bathroom manufacturer has won a £3m contract with a London developer.

Connex Offsite, which specialises in high-end modular bathroom pods, said it will supply luxury modular bathroom pods to London property developer Mount Anvil for the firm’s Royal Eden Docks development in the east of the city.

The contract comes as Connex ramps up its promotion throughout the UK to target new business.

In the next two months, the firm will recruit staff for roles including joiners, operations managers, designers, general labourers and tilers, to meet their rapidly growing order book.

Brendan Doherty, managing director of Connex Offsite, said: “We have seen huge growth in recent months and I believe the Covid-19 crisis has been the catalyst for a shift to modular construction. Off-site manufacturing is being embraced by the industry because of the restrictions on the level of labour on site.

“Because our pods are completely finished in a controlled environment, shrink-wrapped on the factory floor and shipped to the construction site, we are reducing the numbers of trades required on site.

“We are delighted to be working with Mount Anvil, one of the leading property developers in London, with 30 years of construction history in the city under their belts.

“Mount Anvil recognised the high quality of our pods and standard of service from recent major projects we have delivered in central London and decided our product was a perfect fit.”

Connex moves into a new £2.5m facility in August.

 

Source: Belfast Telegraph

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