Modular Specialist Wins Two Major MoD contracts

In another high-profile example of public sector investment in modern methods of construction (MMC), the Ministry of Defence has awarded two contracts worth £31 million to a leading modular construction specialist. Previously known as Elliott, the UK division of Algeco, a French corporation founded in 1955, has been given responsibility for the construction of extensive new accommodation for the British Army.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is an operating arm of the UK Ministry of Defence which has responsibility for its built and rural estate. The MoD has identified two locations where it intends to site new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) for its soldiers. The DIO has managed the contracting process which led to the deal.

The larger of the two sites is in Forres, Scotland, where Algeco will build a 112-bedroom complex at Kinloss Barracks. Two blocks will be created using offsite manufacturing and delivered in 47 weeks as permanent buildings. Assembly will begin on site in December and the entire project is expected to take 65 weeks. Once the new blocks are in place, the old buildings will be demolished.

The second site is Beacon Barracks in Stafford. This is a smaller project for the supply of 60 SLA units at a cost of £10 million. Like Kinloss, this will be manufactured offsite and then assembled next to the existing buildings. These will then be demolished and all soldiers moved into the new block. The timescale for this project is 46 weeks for manufacture, installation and demolition.

Algeco will be the principal contractor at both sites, with responsibility for demolition as well as construction. The modules for Kinloss Barracks will be manufactured at the company's factory in Inverurie, Scotland, while those for Beacon Barracks will be produced in Carnaby, East Yorkshire. The architects for both projects are AHR Architects.

This is another welcome endorsement of the cost-effectiveness and environmental efficiency of the company's methods, demonstrating yet again that MMC is the future of responsible construction.

The Deputy Head of Major Programmes and Projects (Army) at the DIO is Robert Vining. He expressed his department's positive feelings about the appointment of the specialist builder: "The new Single Living Accommodation at Stafford and Kinloss will provide high-quality, efficient, purpose-built facilities for our military personnel. I am looking forward to working with Algeco to deliver the first of these fantastic buildings, which will make a real difference to our military colleagues' lives".

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Algeco, James Withey commented on the two projects: "Our modular solution will create a modern, efficient and fit-for-purpose accommodation facility for the MoD. We are confident that we will meet the high sustainability targets and complete the work with minimal disruption to the ongoing operation of the bases. Our modular offsite solution provides maximum benefit by minimising works required on site."

The company is one of the market leaders in MMC across Europe. It creates everything from single portable buildings to major multi-storey structures, both temporary and permanent. It is part of the Modulaire Group, a major modular services and infrastructure group in Europe and Asia Pacific, which ensures it has both the resources and expertise to deliver on time, on budget, to the highest standards.