Trudi Sully of Mott MacDonald casts her eye over the MMC and offsite sector’s positive progress towards industrialised construction
This has been a more challenging year than some expected. Post-election enthusiasm continued with news of funding in the Spending Review, but the supply chain still feels an unease. Clients seem unwilling to commit until business plans and clarity from government on policy and process is available. I’ve seen this reflected at recent events, where conversations are focused and purposeful, but touched with concern.
However, I’m holding on to a resolution that I made earlier this year to highlight the positive progress I’m seeing, and hope by sharing encouraging stories it shows there are strong foundations for accelerating progress once we have confirmed pipeline and funding.
Firstly, language. Whether you are talking about offsite, MMC or DfMA, platform approaches or industrialised construction, we can agree we are more-or-less on the same page. The terminology has been a sticking point for many, but I view this as a reflection of our evolving environment. We can take positives from that.
What has been interesting to witness is the rising use of “industrialised construction” – something which engenders a new common ground. I’m seeing far less of “them and us”
positioning between traditional and offsite/MMC construction stalwarts, as it should be.
We’ve known for years that the industry needed to transform to become more productive and deliver better assets alongside greater certainty over cost, time and quality. So whichever term you use, this is about achieving that, which benefits everyone.
The positive takeaways
At the Offsite Expo in September, I enjoyed the digital demonstrator sessions, brought together by Kope. These showcased a range of digital tools that support a project from concept through to construction. They are a fantastic way to view a project lifecycle through a digital lens and really appreciate the benefits of these tools in supporting organisations to realise efficiencies while embedding traceability.
One of the resources was the Digital Kit of Parts (d-KoP) for low-rise housing using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC – Categories 2 and 5).
It was commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) and developed by Akerlof, HLM Architects, Buro Happold and Limberger Associates, in consultation with the industry, and included the evaluation of 600 construction products.
Intended to be a catalyst for the adoption of MMC by enhancing component interchangeability and choice, it also addresses the challenges associated with market uptake and scalability.
This approach could prove vital to accelerating delivery of the pending Social & Affordable Housing Programme.
We are also now seeing encouraging results from long-term investment in other departments into social infrastructure programmes. While we have seen great results in the education sector, similar outcomes are becoming evident in justice.
HMP Millsike is an example where the scheme has benefited from lessons learned to gain ever better results from offsite construction. This has included the integrated development of a digital twin to ensure ease of future maintenance and management.
Similarly, we are seeing great progress of the New Hospitals Programme (NHP), supported by Mott MacDonald, as illustrated by NHP industrialisation consultant Emily King at a recent conference, who spoke of the journey taken to develop the industrialisation approach and it becoming integral to NHP.
Meanwhile, in housing, PAS 8700:2025 Modern Methods of Construction for New Build Residential Properties is gaining traction.
Published in April, this standard was sponsored by MHCLG and delivered by BSI, with input from a wide range of industry participants. As a member of the steering board,
I found the process fascinating, and the result is something we are all proud of.
It is the convergence of current best practice for using MMC for the delivery of residential builds, and to ensure it remains relevant, it will be reviewed every two years. It provides a means for the supply chain to demonstrate competence, alongside a mechanism for consistency and measurable outcomes, that prove value and boost confidence.
The former building safety minister, Alex Norris MP, suggested at its launch that it should be mandated. A proposal I fully support. The necessity to accelerate quality delivery of social and affordable housing is not just a great opportunity for the industry, but critical for resolving our housing crisis.
Judging success in MMC and offsite
Finally, I’m lucky enough to be on the judging panel of various industry awards and what I see always inspires me. It is in the nominations that I see the evolution of the industry. With both early pioneers coming back year on year to show how they have grown and improved and new entrants demonstrating the breadth of opportunity out there.
While there is no question that industrialised construction is coming to the fore, to ensure stability, resilience and growth, we need to do better at measuring results and sharing lessons – good and bad. So please, don’t just save your successes for the judges; share it with the wider industry year around so we can all benefit from better outcomes.
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