Unprecedented demand for new design tool for off-site construction

Since the launch of its new design tool to help architects and contractors work with off-site construction, award-winning modular building specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has received over 1,200 requests for the guide.

This unprecedented interest is further evidence of the growing demand for off-site construction as a high quality, efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional site-based building methods. Demand is particularly strong from architects and contractors, as well as end users.

In response to the high level of interest in the new tool and following the success of its series of design workshops for architects, contractors and consultants, Yorkon has added three new workshops to its event programme which will take place on 2nd October 2008 at the RIBA in London.

Each session will demonstrate how to design buildings using a steel-framed modular system with practical advice on how to optimise the benefits of off-site construction.

To register for one of the design workshops, email contact@yorkon.com or call 0845 2000 123.

The recently updated design tool is available in interactive pdf format via the Yorkon website – www.yorkon.com. It is a comprehensive guide to steel-framed modular construction, including module sizes and options for staircases and lifts. For CAD users, there are easy-to-use files to help architects develop a building design for a specific project and produce fast and accurate project drawings.

In order to maximise the benefits of off-site construction, it is essential that specifiers develop a good understanding of the modular system and the process, and design for modular rather than site-based construction from the outset. The design guide tool and the series of workshops are Yorkon initiatives to help address this requirement.

Other new developments recently launched by Yorkon include a series of new design options for ‘greener’ modular buildings, which offer significant environmental benefits, such as the use of renewable sources of energy, reduced energy consumption and waste, lower carbon emissions, and greater recyclability.

The optional features include solar thermal heating, solar photovoltaics, passive ventilation, combined heat and power systems, ground source heat pumps, green roofs, biomass boilers, and rainwater harvesting.



For further PRESS information, please contact:

Joanne Bridges, Bridges Communications
PRO – Yorkon
Tel: 01489 570898, Fax: 01489 570888
Email: jbridges@bridgescommunications.co.uk

Editor’s Notes

1. The Yorkon approach to off-site construction offers a number of clear advantages over site-based building methods:

- enhanced thermal efficiency and greater sustainability
- waste reductions of up to 90 per cent
- programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent
- greater cost control
- less disruption
- safety improved by up to 46 per cent
- earlier occupation
- guaranteed quality
- greater design flexibility
- less risk for the client – more than 96 per cent of Yorkon projects have been completed on time and 94 per cent on
budget over the past five years – well exceeding construction industry averages

2. Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a controlled factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days ready for the final stages of fitting out.

Yorkon completes new emergency assessment unit at North Tees Hospital

Off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has completed the construction of a new ProCure21 project for Interserve Project Services at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

The £2.8m contract involved the off-site construction and fitting out of a new state-of-the-art 42-bed Emergency Assessment Unit required by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The 1,710sqm single-storey extension to the existing department has expanded the number of assessment beds on the Stockton site and is part of the Government’s drive to reduce waiting times for emergency cases.

The scheme comprises 42 steel-framed modules, which were manufactured in York and installed on site in just a few days – minimising disruption to patient care and reducing the programme time for the new unit.

The building was delivered in just over six months from start on site and provides a range of facilities for acute emergency surgical care. These include four-bed wards and single ensuite bedrooms, an isolation ward, high dependency beds, consulting rooms, ward manager’s office, waiting areas, quiet room, staff changing facilities and rest room, and an interview room.

The unit has been equipped with the latest technology. Wireless workstations are available for use at patients’ bedsides and this is one of the first units in the country to have an electronic information board. It will treat around 30,000 patients each year.

Consultant Dr Nick Roper said, “After much planning, it is brilliant to see the new unit up and running. We have designed in features such as isolation rooms, ensuite bathrooms, no-touch taps and bespoke window blinds. The final result is a spacious and calm working environment, which is properly equipped to look after patients with emergency medical needs.”

Kevin Oxley, Director of Operations at the Trust, said, “This is a fantastic building. We are impressed with the benefits of the off-site approach and the speed of construction, which allowed us to introduce a new model of care at an earlier stage and so benefit from operational efficiencies. The unit has the feel, quality and appearance of the best traditionally-built building and is allowing the Trust to achieve the highest levels of clinical care. The installation process went very well and the building is defect-free.”

Shaun Paramor, Project Manager at Interserve Project Services, said, “Yorkon were selected for their reputation and experience in the healthcare sector – and I am pleased to report they performed very well. They delivered a quality building, constructed to Interserve’s high standards. The modular approach shortens the programme time which has cost benefits and gives the client beneficial use of the building at an earlier stage. It is also a clean and efficient way of constructing a building, despite working through the winter months.”

The Emergency Assessment Unit adopts the latest thinking in emergency surgical care and is staffed by specialist medical teams, giving quicker access to treatment, more efficient streaming of patients and greater operational efficiencies for the Trust. It was built following a review of acute services in the region, which centralised emergency surgical care at the University Hospital of North Tees.

www.yorkon.info



Editor’s Notes

1. The advantages of off-site construction for healthcare projects include:

- programme times reduced by up to 50 percent, allowing earlier completion with a positive impact on patient care
- reduced disruption to patients, staff and the local community during construction
- fewer vehicle movements to site
- safer, quieter and cleaner
- improved quality and reduced future maintenance
- a high level of design flexibility internally and externally
- buildings can be expanded without decanting
- improved thermal efficiency for lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions
- helping to address the shortage of skilled labour affecting the construction industry
- cost control and reduced material wastage
- guaranteed delivery on time and on budget.

2. Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a controlled factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days ready for fitting out.


For further PRESS information, please contact:

Joanne Bridges, PRO – Yorkon
Tel: 01489 570898
Fax: 01489 570888
jbridges@bridgescommunications.co.uk

Portakabin provides rok development solid solution with exceptional finish

Rok Development, the nationwide commercial and business park developer is enjoying premium quality marketing facilities, thanks to leading modular building supplier, Portakabin.

Looking for a high specification marketing suite for visiting customers at its new Wilmslow Office Park lying within two miles of Manchester Airport, Paul Smith, Rok’s Project Manager, visited the Portakabin headquarters in York and was instantly impressed by the contemporary, visual impact of the glazed Titan building.

Paul Smith said, ‘The marketing suite is the first opportunity to impress visitors to the site, making it extremely important that it makes a positive impact. The building Portakabin supplied reflects the quality and style of our own development in progress.

‘The Portakabin team surpassed their own professional reputation by providing exceptional customer service, a fantastic building and all within our designated timescale.’Delivered just 10 weeks after the initial order, the Portakabin team worked closely with the Rok Development architect to provide a building, which would meet their exact requirements, including high specification internal fittings.

The stylish glazed Titan building features a fully glazed wall, which provides a prestigious, light and spacious open plan environment, which can be easily relocated time and time again. It can be reconfigured whenever necessary to meet the requirements of individual developments, making it a completely flexible building solution.



The Rok Development glazed Titan building was tailored to include a solid oak floor throughout, and features a contemporary kitchen which includes a stainless steel sink with a modern glass splash back, solid granite worktops, fitted freezer and dishwasher.

Mr Smith continues, ‘The customer service we have received from Portakabin has been excellent throughout the duration of the project. They offered such flexibility in working with our own team of architects to provide our bespoke specification.

‘Portakabin were extremely proficient throughout and provided honest timelines in keeping with our own internal deadlines. Due to the relocatability of the building we have the option to re-use it at different sites as and when new projects begin. We are absolutely delighted with the end result and would have no hesitation in recommending Portakabin to other companies.’

The Portakabin building was also delivered to Rok Developments with a five-year product warranty and 20 year structural warranty¹ as well as the pioneering Portakabin Customer Charter. This states that if Portakabin fails to deliver a project on time and to the agreed contract sum, the customer will be entitled to an additional six months product warranty².

To find out how Portakabin can benefit your business call 0845 355 5359 log on at www.portanews.co.uk or email news@portakabin.co.uk

Porta, Portakabin and Titan are all trade marks.

For further media information please contact James Hickman, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk

¹All Portakabin buildings that are purchased come with a five-year product warranty, which covers the external fabric of the building and a 20-year structural warranty, which covers the load bearing elements of the building.
² Terms and Conditions apply. A copy is available on request.

Portakabin provides ideal solution for quick, quality classroom accommodation

With the end of the summer term fast approaching, headteachers and bursars across the country are finalising plans for any additional classroom accommodation that is needed for the new academic year. For those that require extra buildings in time for the start of the new term in early September, it’s not too late to get quality buildings in place.

Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular building provider, has developed a purpose-built double classroom building to provide schools with the ideal solution.



Available for hire or to purchase, the 64m² Portakabin Classroom buildings exceed DfES size guidelines, and, due to the nature of modular construction, can be delivered to a school within days of an order being placed. Offering a stimulating and attractive working environment, they can be up-and-running within hours of arriving on-site, therefore minimising disruption to the school.

The buildings can also help schools increase their spending efficiency in line with the recent Gershon Report.

As the 2007-08 target for annual savings of over £6.45billion¹ in public sector spending approaches, headteachers and bursars are increasingly looking for more economic methods of procuring buildings while ensuring quality standards are maintained.

As well as offering speedy delivery and high quality environments, Portakabin Classrooms are delivered to site fully fitted with all electrics and plumbing, therefore reducing the need for additional tradesmen on-site.

The buildings have been specifically designed to provide specialist teaching resources with high levels of natural light - a key factor in productivity and motivation - good ventilation and excellent energy efficiency.

Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, said, ‘Research shows that 76% of teachers and 54% of students think classroom design is vital in influencing students’ ability to learn. The quality of the teaching space available along with lighting, ventilation, noise and temperature levels also all play a crucial role² and can result in improvements in learning of up to 26%³.

‘Portakabin Classrooms have been designed with all of this in mind, while also offering headteachers and bursars a more practical, faster, convenient and cost-effective method of procurement. This allows savings to be made without compromising on service, value or delivery.’

A one-stop-shop solution

As well as supplying excellent quality classroom space, Portakabin can provide all the other services required to complete a building project through its one-stop-shop solutions for hire offering. Providing an ideal way to improve procurement efficiency and value for money, the service includes everything from obtaining planning permission and completing groundworks, through to installing climate control and security systems.

It also includes the brand new classroom furniture range from Portakabin Interiors, which has been specifically designed to meet the demands of a classroom environment. Strong and robust with riveted tamper proof fixings, the range of desks and chairs has been thoroughly tested by the Furniture Industry Research Association to meet stringent classroom safety guidelines.

Portakabin scores top marks

As a result of the high quality, value-for-money environments Portakabin buildings provide and the range of services offered, the company has achieved accredited supplier status with OGCbuying.solutions, the executive agency of the Office of Government Commerce.

Following a stringent selection process, which included pre-qualification questionnaires, a competitive tender and interviews, Portakabin was included in a four-year modular building framework agreement with OGCbuying.solutions. This enables public sector organisations looking for accommodation solutions to avoid the costly, compulsory competitive tender process and turn to Portakabin to fulfil all their requirements.

A spokesperson for OGCbuying.solutions said, ‘Portakabin proved to us that the company offers the high standards of service, product quality and value we demand from our accredited suppliers.

‘We were also very impressed by the full turn-key package that Portakabin offers. From processing planning permissions to installing climate control systems, access ramps and furniture, the company is able to handle everything, offering complete peace of mind for customers.’

Service with a smile

In addition to offering quality products, Portakabin also aims to provide excellent levels of service to customers at all times. All Portakabin buildings come with the company’s pioneering Customer Charter4, which promises to deliver all projects on time and on budget.

If Portakabin ever fails to meet a contract start date, the customer will be entitled to a week’s free hire for every day the building is late or an additional six months’ product warranty5 on buildings that are purchased.

Mike Williams concluded, ‘At Portakabin we aim to provide all our customers with complete peace of mind that their building projects will be completed to the highest standards, on time and on budget.

‘We are also committed to helping schools meet the targets set out in the Gershon report. Our expert team allows us to provide a full range of products and services that can take care of all aspects of a building project, therefore increasing efficiency and enabling schools to make much needed savings in terms of speed of delivery and resources invested in managing the projects.’

For more details on how Portakabin buildings and services can benefit your school call 0845 359 0059, email news@portakabin.co.uk or log on to www.portanews.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

¹ As outlined in the Gershon Report.
² Source: ‘Best Practice in Classroom Design’. Ministry of Education, New Zealand, 2004.
³ Based on research conducted by the Heshong Mahone Group (1999), Fair Oaks, California.
4 Terms and conditions apply. A copy is available on request.
5 All Portakabin buildings that are purchased come with a 5-year product warranty, which covers the external fabric of the building and a 20-year structural warranty, which covers the load bearing elements of the building.

Porta, Portakabin, Portakabin Classrooms and Portakabin Interiors are trade marks.

For further media information contact Viccy Hodson, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155 or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk.

New Portakabin Arkive product leads the way in safe and secure file storage

Portakabin has reinforced its position as market leader and innovator in the modular construction sector once again, with the launch of the unique Portakabin Arkive storage unit.

Offering high quality, secure facilities for file storage, the new product provides a range of unrivalled security and fire protection features. This gives customers an ideal solution for accommodating important paperwork in a safe environment.



Mike Williams, General Manager of Portakabin Hire Division, explained, ‘The Portakabin Arkive unit has been carefully designed to meet rigorous security demands and offers maximum protection against theft, vandalism and fire. It has been developed in response to customer requirements for storage facilities that offer high levels of safety for the contents, but which can easily be accommodated on their own sites.’

The product features all-steel construction and high security fire-rated entrance doors, ensuring excellent levels of break-in protection, as well as guarding against fire for half an hour - an attribute that is unique in the market. This fire resistance has been independently tested and certified by Warrington Fire Research Centre, guaranteeing that important files can be stored safely for as long as needed.

Other features of the Portakabin Arkive storage unit include:
• Unrivalled levels of air tightness, far in excess of Building Research Establishment (BRE) air leakage indices, which ensures that changing humidity levels and pollutants cannot damage files
• A unique low-level lifting system that fulfils all HSE guidelines to avoid working at height during installation, therefore maximising the safety of people on site
• Six durable bulkhead lamps, fitted with polycarbonate opal diffusers, absorb harmful UV radiation that can fade paperwork
• Wall fixed trickle vents aid air flow in the building

Mike continued, ‘We’re very pleased to be introducing this product to the market, providing organisations with excellent quality, highly secure storage backed by first-class customer service. We always strive to provide our customers with complete peace of mind and the Portakabin Arkive product certainly offers that for anyone looking for safe facilities to accommodate important files on site.’

All Portakabin Arkive units also come with the unique Portakabin
Customer Charter, which promises that all projects will be completed on time and on budget. If Portakabin fails to meet the agreed contract start date, the customer will be entitled to one week’s free building hire for every day it is late*. This provides customers with additional peace of mind that their building will be delivered on time and on budget.

To find out how the Portakabin Arkive storage unit can meet all your confidential file storage needs call 0845 359 0059, email news@portakabin.co.uk or visit www.portanews.co.uk.

Notes to Editors
*Terms and conditions apply. A copy is available on request.

Porta, Portakabin and Portakabin Arkive are trade marks.

For further media information please contact James Hickman, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email jamesh@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk.

PORTAKABIN SAVES THE DAY WITH RAPID RESPONSE

When the Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust needed to find suitable, high quality accommodation for its crew outstations, it turned to Portakabin to provide a responsive remedy for its workers requirements.

The Trust researched a large number of potential building suppliers, looking for a company that could provide the finish of buildings it needed, as well as the service levels and capability to get accommodation in place, on time, to meet demanding deadlines.

Mark Squires, Assistant Director for Estates and Procurement at Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust, said: “Government guidelines state that ambulance crews throughout the UK should respond to all emergency calls within eight minutes. Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust is leading the way by setting up crew outstations around its region, enabling ambulance crews to be located away from central hospitals, helping them to respond rapidly to incidents.

“Because of this we needed additional accommodation. We were impressed by the quality of buildings available from Portakabin, and the fact they were backed up by high service standards and a promise to deliver on time. A crucial factor in our decision to choose them, however, was the Company’s accreditation by OGCbuying.solutions, which enabled us to simplify the whole procurement process, thereby saving time and money.”

Portakabin achieved accredited supplier status with OGCbuying.solutions – a leading provider in public-sector procurement – following a rigorous assessment of its products, services and full turn-key packages. Accreditation assures public-sector customers that the Company offers excellent quality and value for money, and enables them to place orders with Portakabin without the need for time-consuming and costly compulsory competitive tendering exercises.

To find out how Portakabin can benefit your business call 0845 355 5359, email news@portakabin.co.uk, or visit www.portanews.co.uk.

Notes to Editors
¹ Terms and conditions apply. A copy is available on request.
Porta, Portakabin and Portakabin Pacemaker are all trade marks.
² Terms and Conditions apply. A copy is available on request.

For further media information please contact Viccy Hodson, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email viccy@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk

WELSH YOUNGSTERS GET A FLYING START FROM PORTAKABIN

When Bridgend County Borough Council identified the need for new, high quality nursery facilities, Portakabin, with its reputation for exceptional levels of service, provided the ideal solution in the shape of its Lilliput nursery building – specially designed to meet the needs of young children.

The Welsh Assembly’s Flying Start scheme, which aims to give children aged 0-3 the best possible start in life by providing access to high quality services, required two new nursery buildings to accommodate 40 young children within 16 weeks.

The delivery of the buildings within this timescale was absolutely crucial to the successful delivery of the project in the area.

Tina Haddon, Flying Start Co-ordinator at Bridgend County Borough Council, explains, ‘It was critical that the new nurseries were delivered within 16 weeks to enable us to quickly start providing childcare provision in the area in line with the objectives of the Flying Start project.

However, it was equally important that the company we worked with had the ability to provide high quality buildings, which wouldn’t be compromised by the short lead time. After meeting with the Portakabin team it was clear that their level of knowledge and expertise in the education sector was excellent. This provided us with the peace of mind that the buildings would meet all of our needs, be delivered on time and that the project would run smoothly.’

Notes to Editors:

Porta, Portakabin, Portakabin Lilliput and Total Solutions are registered trademarks.

For further media information please contact Viccy Hodson, Louise Wylie or Carly Pattison at Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email viccy@ptarmiganpr.co.uk / louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk carly@ptarmiganpr.co.uk.

Portakabin leads the way with new office space in just 15 days

Following a swift company acquisition, Intoco, a leading supplier of engineering components, required a rapid building solution to accommodate new members of staff.

When researching potential building solutions, Tony Preece, Managing Director at Intoco found out about the Portakabin Lead Time Leadership initiative. As part of the leading modular building supplier’s commitment to service excellence the company introduced the initiative, which offers the fastest delivery of a new single modular building, the design of which can be chosen from one of 42 different ready-to-use solutions. Delivery is guaranteed in 15 working days and the buildings all come with the company’s pioneering 20-year structural and 5-year product warranties.

Tony Preece said, ‘As the acquisition went through so quickly it was pivotal that the company had the correct facilities to house the new staff. The Portakabin Lead Time Leadership initiative has enabled us to procure a brand new, modern high-quality building that was delivered within 15 working days.

The building was also accompanied by the unique Portakabin Customer Charter, which promises to deliver buildings on time and on budget. The Charter states that if Portakabin fails to deliver a project on time and to the agreed contract sum, the customer will be entitled to an additional six months product warranty*.

Tony continued, ‘It was essential that the new employees felt part of the Intoco team straight away, and providing a quality-working environment was an instant way of making them feel at home. The Portakabin Customer Charter gave us complete peace of mind that the building would be ready for use when we needed it to be.’

The Portakabin buildings that are included in the Lead Time Leadership initiative include the company’s Titan building, the largest single modular building in Europe. Its high-quality all-steel construction and attractive internal and external appearance makes the Portakabin Titan building a perfect choice for accommodation requirements.

Tony said, ‘With four new staff and a host of office equipment we needed something that was spacious, modern and practical; the Portakabin Titan building certainly ticked all the boxes.

‘The service we have received from the Portakabin team has been superb. From order and installation right through to aftercare, the whole process has been faultless. I would have no hesitation in recommending Portakabin to other companies.’