Modular builder CoreHaus establishes first UK manufacturing site

L-R Scott Bibby of CoreHaus; Sarah Slaven of Business Durham; and Cllr Carl Marshall of Durham County Council

Innovative modular housebuilder, CoreHaus, is opening its first UK manufacturing site at a County Durham business park as part of its scale-up plans.

CoreHaus has secured its new 20,000 sq ft unit at Jade Business Park, in Murton near Seaham, and recruited a highly skilled team to start production of its unique modular homes, which have already been successfully trialled in the North East of England.

CoreHaus will now be able to expand production and perform a greater scope of work including the assembly of steel frames that are central to its modular homes. The company’s five-year plan will see CoreHaus producing 1,000 modular homes a year, resulting in more than 100 people working across the business.

Managing director of CoreHaus, Scott Bibby, said: “With such a great facility situated in the heart of the North East and at such a competitive rate, it made perfect sense to set up our manufacturing site at Jade Business Park.

“County Durham has a highly skilled and rich labour market which we have already begun to take advantage of. This has allowed us to employ a diverse, highly competent and experienced team from the surrounding area which will allow best practice from multiple industries to be deployed into our products.

“As a social enterprise the generation of social value is highly important to us. The support from Business Durham and the Council has been fantastic so far, we look forward to strengthening this relationship and building upon it further in the future.”

CoreHaus is a joint-venture company between Newton Aycliffe based Carlton & Co Group, the parent company behind North East based Homes by Carlton, and national social enterprise Fusion21, specialists in public procurement for the built environment based near Liverpool.

CoreHaus homes appear much like any traditional build. They differ to both standard brick-built homes as well as other modular designs because of the way they are constructed and assembled. CoreHaus is a flexible combination of being part modular, with a standard, engineered core, that can be configured to meet customer requirements.

Scott Bibby added: “We have been really pleased with the interest and early demand shown for our innovative product. The concept was successfully piloted with Homes by Carlton at a site in County Durham last summer and we are now looking to work together on other new housing developments across the region.

“We’re also talking to local authorities and housing associations. Several have already told us they love the flexible, high-quality nature of the product. It is quick to build, easy to adapt and has a low-carbon footprint.”

Sarah Slaven, Interim managing director at Business Durham, said: “It’s fantastic that CoreHaus have chosen to open their first UK manufacturing site at Jade Business Park, joining Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe in the first phase of the park. “

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “We are delighted to welcome CoreHaus to Jade Business Park.  As the economy continues to feel the impact of Covid-19 it is vital we support economic growth and job creation.  Creating high quality facilities to encourage businesses to move to the county is key to generating new opportunities for County Durham residents.  We look forward to welcoming further businesses to this premier development in the near future.”