The event, which took place during a recent visit by the Director General to the East Midlands, allowed Nick to see for himself Laing O’Rourke’s innovative approach to construction and the benefits that it can deliver through lean, off-site manufacturing techniques.
During a tour of the factory floor, Nick was able to view all stages of the DfMA process (design for manufacture and assembly), from the detailing team, through assembly and casting.
This process allows Laing O’Rourke to manufacture a wide range of products in the controlled factory environment and deliver them to construction sites.
Products range from pre-cast columns to new and bespoke products, such as structures including a structural inner skin, insulation and concrete outer wall complete with glazing and weather seals.
Services such as window actuators, wall sockets and data points are also incorporated into wall panels reducing the cost of a project and the number of people required on the construction site, cutting waste out of the construction process, while delivering better-performing, more efficient structures in a safer, controlled environment.
Nick commented; “In visiting the Explore Industrial Park, I saw something that I think could, and should, change the way the industry works.
“I was delighted to meet people with whom my thoughts so closely aligned.”
Adrian Bywaters, principal engineer at Laing O’Rourke, who arranged the visit in conjunction with Alan Clucas, Explore Manufacturing engineering director, said “This was a great opportunity to meet with the senior leadership of ICE and demonstrate our enthusiasm for off-site manufacture.”
Whilst at the industrial park, Nick met with two Laing O’Rourke engineers, Andrew Bracken and Wayne Maxwell, who are both progressing towards Technician membership of the ICE via a workplace embedded scheme.
He was keen to promote their development, and to remind them that the training they are currently undertaking is only the start of their professional journey as engineers.