John McMullen, PCM, marketing director, Modular Building Institute, discusses MBI’s expansion into the Benelux region and how modular construction is becoming more present than ever in Europe
Modular Building Institute (MBI) members have strengthened MBI’s presence in Europe by creating “MBI Benelux,” an informal regional group of MBI member companies in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
The group grew out of a gathering of modular construction companies in Eindhoven in January 2026. It was formally established on April 16 at CORAM in Zaltbommel, the Netherlands. Its mission is to unite industry partners, increase awareness of MBI, and give the sector a stronger voice with developers, policymakers, and other decision-makers.
The MBI Benelux group is led by three chairs whose companies represent different parts of the modular construction supply chain.
Rob Ranshuysen is affiliated with CORAM, a manufacturer of bathroom and shower products that can be integrated into factory-built bathroom pods and other standardised modular applications. Lawrence De Bruycker works with ARDEX, a construction materials company with a dedicated prefab, modular, and offsite division. Pieter Schoofs represents Skilpod, a Belgian modular housing company that manufactures complete timber-frame homes as three-dimensional modules before installing them on site.
MBI spoke with the three chairs about the group’s formation, the outlook for modular construction in the region, and the upcoming World of Modular Europe conference in Amsterdam.
MBI: What prompted these gatherings of MBI members in the Benelux region, and what has the group discussed during its recent meetings?
MBI Benelux: The group was created to strengthen collaboration among modular construction companies throughout the Benelux region and establish a stronger regional voice within MBI.
Demand for industrialised construction is increasing, while governments are paying greater attention to housing shortages, sustainability, and construction labour shortages. Members recognised that companies across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg could benefit from sharing their experiences and identifying common priorities.
Our discussions have covered market developments, differences in national regulations and building codes, standardisation, cross-border business opportunities, workforce challenges, sustainability, and preparations for World of Modular Europe.
We have also discussed how to improve understanding of modular construction among developers, policymakers, financial institutions, housing organisations, and public-sector clients. Many decision-makers still lack experience with modular delivery, so education will be a major part of the group’s work.
MBI: Where do you see the greatest opportunities for modular construction in the Benelux region?
MBI Benelux: The opportunities are significant. Every country in the region faces housing shortages, ambitious climate goals, and persistent construction labour shortages.
Modular construction can help address all three. Factory production can accelerate project schedules, reduce waste, improve quality control, and reduce the number of labour hours required on site.
Affordable and social housing represent particularly important markets, but the opportunities extend well beyond housing. Modular construction can also benefit student accommodations, temporary housing, healthcare facilities, schools, hotels, commercial buildings, and industrial projects.
Circular construction is another major opportunity. The controlled factory environment supports efficient material use, while modular buildings can be designed for adaptation, relocation, disassembly, or reuse.
Government agencies are also beginning to recognise that traditional construction methods alone will not meet the region’s housing and sustainability goals. That creates a favourable long-term outlook for industrialised construction.
MBI: What challenges are modular companies encountering in the region?
MBI Benelux: Many of the challenges are similar to those found elsewhere in Europe. Companies face rising material costs, skilled-worker shortages, financing uncertainty, and lengthy permitting processes.
However, the Benelux market has some distinct characteristics. Land is limited, which makes logistics, transportation, staging, and project planning especially important. Building regulations also differ among neighbouring countries, complicating efforts to scale products and projects across borders.
Terminology and public perception also remain obstacles. People frequently use terms such as prefab, modular, and volumetric interchangeably. Some clients still assume modular buildings are temporary or lower quality. Consistent language and stronger examples of completed projects can help correct those misconceptions.
Project procurement also needs to change. Clients often select modular manufacturers too late in the process. When manufacturers and suppliers aren’t involved early in design, project teams lose many of the advantages of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly.
Cash flow presents another serious concern. Modular manufacturers often carry high overhead costs and must buy materials and start production before receiving full payment. Irregular order pipelines, permitting delays, and project postponements can place severe financial pressure on small and mid-sized factories.
MBI: How can MBI Benelux help address these issues?
MBI Benelux: Our first responsibility is to bring companies together. The industry will have greater influence when manufacturers, suppliers, designers, developers, and other partners communicate through a unified organisation.
We also want to improve education. Presentations, factory visits, project tours, and meetings can help government officials, housing associations, lenders, developers, and architects better understand how modular construction works.
Advocacy will be important as well. MBI’s presence in Brussels gives members a connection to European institutions and policy discussions. The group can help members follow regulatory developments, understand their potential effects, and communicate the industry’s needs to policymakers.
MBI Benelux is now developing a roadmap, expanding recruitment, and building stronger connections with municipalities, architects, developers, and other industry stakeholders.
MBI: What are you most looking forward to at World of Modular Europe in Amsterdam?
MBI Benelux: Hosting World of Modular Europe in Amsterdam gives the Benelux region an opportunity to showcase its innovation, engineering expertise, and manufacturing capabilities.
The conference will allow attendees to exchange knowledge with industry leaders, examine successful projects, build partnerships, and discuss standardisation and new technologies.
It will also help demonstrate how modular construction can contribute to affordable housing, sustainability, productivity, and economic growth. Bringing policymakers, architects, developers, contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers together is essential to moving the industry forward.
Most importantly, the conference will show that modular construction in Europe is no longer a niche concept. The industry has matured, the need is clear, and the Benelux region is prepared to play a leading role.
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