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Firms reopen modular factories with social distancing measures in place
Two of the countries most high-profile modular factories have reopened today. Legal & General (L&G) Modular Homes has reopened its factory to nearly a third of its employees, while regeneration company Urban Splash has also reopened its modular facility to employees.
L&G said it has “realigned production” to accommodate coronavirus social distancing measures, as 75 employees returned to the Yorkshire-based factory last week as part of a gradual phasing back of its 250 staff.
Design and digital engineering specialists have been working remotely throughout the lockdown period, L&G noted.
The company has also continued to pay 100% of employees’ wages during lockdown and has not applied for government support.
Urban Splash said it responded quickly to the coronavirus outbreak by announcing an immediate closure of all sites, sales offices and factories in March, but has now began to reverse these measures following “encouragement from government” and guidance from the Construction Leadership Council.
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Tom Bloxham, chair at Urban Splash, said: “We have taken the time to brief colleagues in depth on the specific processes at each site, allowing them to adhere to robust new health and safety measures, new ways of working and respect social distancing guidelines. With these in place, we are confident that we can protect our workforce and will continue to monitor the guidelines issued by the government moving forward.”
The organisation said that non-site colleagues will continue to work remotely and shareholding directors have opted to take 30% pay cuts.
A number of major house builders, including Bellway, Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, Vistry Group and Persimmon, have announced reopening of sites in recent weeks.
It follows a statement from housing secretary Robert Jenrick in late April urging developers to reopen sites “once they’ve also worked through how to meet social distancing guidelines and protect their workforce”.
As part of its update today, L&G also announced it has received planning permission to build 154 modular homes in Selby, Yorkshire, 30% of which will be affordable housing.
Rosie Toogood, chief executive of L&G Modular Homes, said: “Using modular construction, Legal & General will be able to deliver high-quality homes at a much faster rate than through traditional construction. In a post-COVID-19 environment, the speed of delivery will be more important than ever before.”
