Modular housing solutions provider QB Technology has secured external funding from The Ingenious Group to develop a new project in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Comprising 22 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, the development will be created using precision-engineered volumetric modules, with completion scheduled for summer 2023.
QB Technology has also appointed Ken MacRae as CEO, whose CV includes development experience at firms including Northacre plc.
QB Technology says Ken will be responsible for driving the business forward, with a particular focus on forging relationships with housing associations and local authorities and working alongside Build to Rent developers.
QB Technology provides end-to-end design and build solutions using light gauge steel modules manufactured off site at its own factory, which the firm says can cut conventional build time by 30-50% and reduce material wastage by more than 20%.
Operating from a near-30,000 sq. ft factory, near Horsham, West Sussex, the company utilises “advanced” modern methods of construction and “cutting-edge” digital technology, including proprietary software platform The Cube.
The factory, which can deliver around 400 homes per year, is run by ex-McLaren Automotive Production Group leader Frans Coetzee, who now assumes the position of director of Manufacturing.
‘Far greener’ development
Ken MacRae (pictured, right), group CEO at QB Technology, said: “Our project in Southend-on-Sea will deliver much-needed new homes on an underutilised site, serving as proof of concept for our technology-driven offsite manufacturing process.
“Thanks to this, development will be far greener, faster, and less disruptive to create than conventional builds, while also delivering an exceptional quality product that will result in lower running costs for homeowners.
“Looking beyond this project, we have our sights set on mid-to-high rise Build to Rent developments, where our offsite solutions can provide developers with much faster delivery, and also the affordable housing sector, where there is the opportunity to work with local authorities and housing associations for whom efficiency, quality, and speed of delivery are key to meeting ever increasing housing targets.”
Main image: CGI projection of QB Technology’s completed modular development in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
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