Royal visit for offsite manufacturing facility

The Duke of York has visited Laing O’Rourke’s Explore Industrial Park facility in Steetley, Worksop, where he was shown best practice in modern methods of construction and the opportunities for more diverse entry to our industry.

HRH, Patron of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), visited the Laing O’Rourke facility, and spoke to the team about the development and integration of its Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA 70:60:30) approach.

The Duke of York also learned about Laing O’Rourke’s vision for precision-engineered offsite homebuilding, and saw the mock-up of a Crossrail Station showing how construction components were being used in the field. The visit was combined with a briefing on how the UK construction industry is addressing some of the skills and innovation challenges.

Paul Westbury, Laing O’Rourke Group Technical Director, said: “It was a huge privilege for us to welcome The Duke of York to Explore Industrial Park. HRH is a real champion of UK construction and engineering and we were proud to show him how offsite manufacturing and assembly can create efficiency and productivity, as well as deliver new skills and exciting technical career paths to our industry.

“Modern methods of construction will play an important role in meeting the productivity and output challenges facing the UK and we are always pleased to be able to demonstrate how it works in practice.

“DfMA 70:60:30 is at the heart of our offer to clients, bringing enhanced safety, productivity, sustainability and certainty to our delivery in the health, residential, retail and infrastructure sectors.

During his visit The Duke of York met with local dignitaries as well as with Laing O’Rourke’s senior leaders, apprentices, graduates and STEM ambassadors.

Explore Industrial Park currently employs 400 people from the local area, with this number set to increase as the business continues to invest in its offsite manufacturing capability.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly (70:60:30): DfMA 70:60:30 is the process where 70% of the construction is conducted off site, leading to a 60% improvement in productivity, and a 30% improvement in delivery schedule.

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