In its launch year, Offsite Expo certainly exceeded expectations, with universal positive feedback from exhibitors, visitors and speakers. All agreed this was the offsite event that the construction industry has been waiting for.
Industry expert and acknowledged offsite champion Mark Farmer cut the ribbon to open Offsite Expo, welcoming construction professionals from across the UK and beyond to the official launch of the inaugural event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
This highly focused two-day exhibition featured 40 hours of CPD Accredited Masterclass Seminars, an International Offsite Summit and the Offsite Connect Buyers and Specifiers Forum. “It is really inspiring to see the world of offsite gathering to showcase the latest technology options and innovations within the sector,” said Mark Farmer. “Offsite Expo’s positioning, content and timing really reflects the mood within the construction sector and the buzz around the show was exceptional.”
The Offsite Expo exhibition was a total sell-out, with over 100 exhibitors promoting offsite systems, technologies and services but this of course, is only part of the equation. Offsite Expo was developed as a platform to network and create new business opportunities and at the heart of the event, the Offsite Connect Buyers and Specifiers Forum, which was open exclusively to exhibitors, was a hive of activity. With 100 buyers and specifiers registering to participate including representatives from Mace, Willmott Dixon, Kier, Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try, NHS and Apex Airspace. 320 business meetings were scheduled with buyers and exhibitors via the online diary system and of those over 300 actual meetings took place and feedback from both the buyers and exhibitors has been tremendous.
Participating buyer, Simon Stone, Supply Chain Manager for Galliford Try said: “The format worked really well and enabled me to get the most out of the event. I look forward to participating in further events.” Tom Fairlie from Walker Timber Group, endorsed this view saying: “Offsite Connect provided a fantastic opportunity for exhibitors to hold focused business meetings and discussions regarding the benefits of specifying timber frame technology and sustainable modern methods of construction.” Richard Canfer Taylor from Catax was equally impressed saying: “I’ve had numerous discussions and identified partnership opportunities, together with future appointments and I know I will write up some business within the next few days.”
But Offsite Expo was not only about securing business opportunities – the conference and exhibition was developed to inform and inspire through knowledge exchange and opinion sharing. Getting to grips with the latest international offsite methods and smart digital technologies was high on the agenda – the Offsite Construction Summit provided a dynamic and interactive experience focusing on international offsite best practice. Knowledge share and transfer was the prime objective for the Summit and the stellar speaker line-up presented some incredible developments across the global offsite supply-chain.
One of the curators of the event, leading offsite expert from Cogent Consulting, Darren Richards said: “The offsite arena is an exciting place to be. The levels of investment and confidence in the long-term viability of advanced offsite methods of construction, is greater than previously witnessed. The heightened interest in all things offsite was clearly demonstrated at the event. Facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting innovation in the sector, Offsite Expo has been extremely well received.”
Over 80 speakers offered delegates the opportunity to hear from experts offering in-depth analysis and technical know-how in an extensive range of CPD Accredited Offsite Masterclasses. Presented by a host of UK pioneers in two dedicated custombuilt offsite technology theatres, the Masterclasses focused on the latest innovations. “Demand was ramping up and our industry intelligence demonstrated a need for a dedicated offsite exhibition curated by sector experts that focused on cutting-edge content, complementing our Offsite Hub and Offsite Magazine platforms,” said Julie Williams, Event Director for Offsite Expo. “The response has been truly astounding and already, just days after the event, we have 68 exhibitor bookings for 2020 – 53 re-bookings and 15 new companies looking to promote offsite technologies and services at our next Offsite Expo.”
The final word goes to Dan Soulsby, National Construction Account Manager Building Products, EGGER (UK) Ltd: “I’m sure you’ve had many comments like this, but I just wanted to say how good Offsite Expo was! We were well impressed (but not surprised) at the quality of the organisation, the content of seminars, the exhibitors and the attendees. We had some great discussions and met with some really key people and have lots to take away with us, plus all the information we gained from the seminars – most of which were standing room only!”
Hadley Group is a world leader in advanced cold rolled steel technology, with manufacturing facilities in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and more than 800 employees worldwide.
We deliver innovative solutions with applications across sectors as diverse as construction, automotive, industrial and agriculture.
At the heart of this is UltraSTEEL®, a patented cold rollforming process that enables the production of components with up to 20% more strength and a similar reduction in raw materials.
Our heritage extends back for over 50 years and has been built on the skills of our workforce, ongoing investment in innovative and productive technologies, and the long-term relationships that we maintain with customers around the world.
We have shaped our business around adding value for our customers; understanding their diverse needs and, through local expertise, market insight and manufacturing capabilities, delivering beyond expectation.
Economic and efficient construction is the order of the day in modern timber construction. Efficient connection technology is indispensable in expanding the use of timber and hence timber construction. Screws, bonding agents and innovative connection technologies will acquire greater significance as the future unfolds.
A qualified carpenter, Vinzenz Harrer worked for many years as a polisher and construction manager. Founding Vinzenz Harrer GmbH in 1994, he developed the company from a traditional timber construction firm to become a trade enterprise – the “leading specialist for solutions in timber construction”. Among others, the company focuses on near-natural and sustainable construction products for energy-optimised building, and now operates in many areas of timber and prefab construction. Our sales channels in over 30 countries have helped establish outstanding expertise in a variety of building standards.
The SHERPA connectors deliver a high degree of standardisation, helping to introduce automatic procedures as quickly as possible to the practical field in planning and processing. Nevertheless, the system finds repeated use in individual solutions. This is only possible based on suitable planning documents. The new SHERPA Manual, its extensive technical data and explanations, also the calculation examples, is intended to provide for precisely this need.
In its design, a clear and conscious focus was placed on practical topics, including connections between wood and steel or reinforced concrete.
The MPBA plays a key role in connecting all sectors of the modular and portable building industry. Regardless of size or business type, MPBA membership presents a variety of value-adding opportunities for your business.
The MPBA is the single recognised voice for promoting and marketing our members high-quality products and services. Through our excellent reputation spanning 80 years, the MPBA now represents over 170 companies specialising in modular building applications.
MPBA represents the industry with governement and other regulatory bodies on regulations that affect the industry with committees that are represented by member companies of the MPBA. This association voice is represented by the industry manufacturers and suppliers.
Voestalpine Metsec plc is the UK’s biggest construction specialist cold roll-forming company and part of the largest globally-leading technology group, providing products for the construction and manufacturing industries.
Established for over 87 years, voestalpine Metsec plc is owned by the voestalpine Group. The Group has 500 companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all 5 continents. Metsec is part of voestalpine’s Metal Forming division, the world’s leading provider of high-quality metal processing solutions.
voestalpine Metsec products include; Metframe, SFS, Cable Management, Purlins and Custom Roll Forming which is our bespoke engineering service.
EOS are pioneers in the manufacture of light steel framing systems, specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of a wide range of component-based and panelised solutions.
EOS offer a comprehensive range of services – from pre-contract solutions and design to structural calculations and value engineering. Our experienced teamwork as an integral part of your business to deliver the most inclusive and cost-effective design solutions.
Metsä Wood provides premium-quality wood products for construction, industrial and distribution customers. They use 100% traceable wood from northern forests, a sustainable raw material of the finest quality. Their facilities are surrounded by forests, which ensures a never-ending, reliable supply. Their primary products are Kerto® LVL (laminated veneer lumber), birch and spruce plywood, and Nordic premium timber.
HSBCAD is a leading 3D CAD/CAM software solution provider for the offsite construction industry. The company develops solutions, as seen below, for Autodesk’s AutoCAD® and Revit® platforms, enabling a smooth transition from design to production.
HSBCAD’s products offer architects, engineers and manufacturers the ability to create scalable 3D manufacturing models with full quantity take off. The flexible software can be adapted to individual requirements, and it interfaces with the industry’s leading CNC machines.
Balancing the elements of Heat, Air and Moisture movement are essential in ensuring any building is an energy efficient, healthy, moisture free building envelope.
The A. Proctor Group can provide condensation control and air barrier solutions for all areas of the building envelope, for varying projects including Offsite. With many years of experience, and a dedicated team of technical advisors, they can provide the wide range of solutions needed to meet even the most complex project requirements.
