The Yorkshire-based modular specialists have won a second MMC factory in order to meet demand from its growing demand. M-AR are one of six modular specialists selected for a new £400m framework agreement through Procure Plus.

The 100,000 sq ft Hull-based MMC factory will secure M-AR's ability to build new homes across the UK at its new Freightliner Road home.

Combined with an existing facility at Melton, the modular specialists will triple production capacity, allowing them to create 750 new homes annually. Production will then increase to 1000 homes over the next two years with plans to further expand these facilities in future.

The plans come in the wake of a line of contract wins including the Procure Plus framework, and inclusion in the LHC (MB1 & NH2), CCS (RM6014), CHIC (Central Housing Investment Consortium) 15 year £573m housing programme.

Commercial, Residential and Educational

M-AR are an innovative off-site construction company who specialise in quality modular solutions with cost and programme certainty across the commercial, residential and educational sectors. 

The new expansion will see a 100 new jobs boost in the local economy as well as providing training and skills for local people. True to their Yorkshire roots, M-AR uses innovative light gauge steel construction for its turnkey modular housing solution. These low carbon homes from apartments to bungalows are mortgageable and BOPAS accredited.

The new factory marks a 13-year milestone for this rapidly expanding business. With modular leading the way in delivering 25% of all homes through the £11.5b Affordable Housing Programme, these are exciting times for MMC and this expansion is a key strategic milestone for M-AR.

Delivering energy efficient housing

Rob Grimbleby, Managing Director of M-AR, hailed MMC as the clear pathway to increasing the supply of high-quality buildings around the country with support from the government. 

M-AR customers are free to visit their current facility for a guided tour from raw materials to finished home, highlighting the speed, sustainability and full customisation that are part of the modular off-site process.

Grimbleby said that the second factory would allow M-AR to deliver much needed low energy housing for the UK that supports housing associations, local authorities, registered providers and M-AR's own developer partners to respond to the current housing shortage in the UK. 

In September M-AR were responsible for completing a stunning new extension to Horton Grange Primary School in Blyth in just 14 weeks with the off-site building taking just six weeks to deliver 13 modules that were in place just 24 hours later. The entire turnkey solution including furniture and whiteboards was handed over ahead of programme in plenty of time for the new school term.

Grimbleby believes the unique twin challenges of the housing crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic will accelerate new forms of delivery. The latest expansion puts M-AR in an ideal position to help customers deliver turnkey projects with equal precision and ahead of schedule. With the right skills and approaches to provide best value for new and existing customers, M-AR can continue to deliver with no compromise on time, cost or quality.