British Offsite, the specialist manufacturing and construction division of Weston Group, has commenced the construction of its planned offsite panel factory at Braintree in Essex.
The new facility will make up part of the 65-acre Horizon 120 business park which is located off the A131 at Great Notley.
The new 137,000 sq.ft mega-factory will feature the latest in high-tech off-site manufacturing, including extensive use of robotics at assembly points.
The new factory’s £6m production line is being delivered by Swedish partner Randek AB and will boast state-of-the-art automation and productivity machinery.
The mega-factory will manufacture and distribute building components that British Offsite will sell to the new homes industry.
This will include the company’s UniPanel system range which encompasses light gauge panels, walls, roofs, and floors alongside internal fit-out modules, under the BOS Fitout brand, including bathroom components, kitchen and bedroom products.
Shaun Weston, managing director of British Offsite, said: “We are pleased to have started construction of our new build-off-site manufacturing and distribution centre at Horizon 120 in Braintree which will form a key part of our strategic expansion plans for British Offsite.
“This new state-of-the-art facility will be one of the largest of its kind within the UK property industry, with one of the most advanced light-gauge steel assembly lines in Europe, meaning we can deliver precise products more quickly for our customers.”
Weston set up British Offsite three years ago and the new Braintree building will be an expansion of the company’s existing 75,000 sq.ft factory facility and head office at the nearby Skyline Industrial Estate.
The developers aim to open the factory at the end of the year.
Image credit: British Offsite
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