supply chain modularity

Construction Modularity

Des Doranhttp://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/bbs/bbsstaff/bm_staff/desdoran

IPSERA 2010, Lappeenranta, Finland

http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/bbs/bbsstaff/bm_staff/desdoran

The research

• Undertaken Summer 2009

• 3 case studies of UK Modular Building Manufacturers located in Hull, UK

• To determine the nature and scope of modularity within the construction sector

• Exploratory study to inform future larger scale research


Why?

• Very little research

• A growing area

• Many opportunities

• Access


Research aims

• To determine how modularity is defined within the construction sector

• To understand the key differences between modular and non-modular construction

• Compare construction modularity with other sectors


The sector

• Modular construction is valued at over £2bn

• Applications include Hospitals, Schools, administration buildings, prisons, retail outlets


Construction modularity


Benefits of modular construction

• Off-site benefits (labour, material waste, storage requirements, welfare provision)

• Programme benefits (increased up front commitment, quality and speed of installation)

• Manufacturing benefits (lean operations)



The cases

http://www.yorkon.co.uk/

The cases


The findings


Defining modularity


Distinguishing between modular and non-modular


The modular design process


Limitations of construction modularity


Pure modular Hybrid Non-modular

Modular continuum


Value transfer activity


Initial findings• Conceptually, modularity clearly articulated• Modular construction competes on speed and

quality• Modular construction costs more than

traditional on-site construction• Limited evidence of effective buyer-supplier

relationships• Significant constraints impede modular

construction


Thank you

My profile is available on:http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/bbs/bbsstaff/bm_staff/desdoran


http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/bbs/bbsstaff/bm_staff/desdoran

supply chain modularity

Education