Past Modular Advantage Articles

There is a popular narrative indicating that the world is now splintering after a period of coming together. For decades, the world seemed destined to become a unified production unit. Dozens of free trade agreements, the expansion of World Trade Organization (WTO) membership, and import/export data suggested that national boundaries were falling, at least with respect to the movement of goods, including productive construction inputs.

Bob has been involved with the expansion of the company since 1999, and has seen the company grow. PFS TECO has not only expanded but has evolved: to becoming an employee-owned company. In fact, the company offers ESOP (employee stock ownership
plans) available to 100 employees.

Like a stick-built structure, a modular building requires a lot of coordination in going from design to finished building. One crucial element of the process is the setting of the modules on the foundation, and there are companies that specialize in that work. ProSet of Montrose, Colorado, is one of those companies.

Ali hammers out BECC Modular’s mission down to one sentence. “I would say that we are in the business of manufacturing industrialized developments for future generations.” This mission is something that’s also baked into their structures, which follow Net Zero and Passive House design principles to create carbon neutral buildings.

In the short time Stream Logistics have been in business, the team has learned a lot about modular transportation, learning more in four months than they had the last two years without the specialized focus.

A California start-up, Domatic, has taken on the task of making smart buildings “smarter” through its revolutionary electrical distribution and automation system. The low voltage system saves energy, reduces copper wiring, and is safer to install. And with its plug-and-play capabilities, it is already making a wave in the modular construction industry. The company’s system has been showcased in multiple high-rise residential projects, including market-rate high-rises and affordable housing projects.

Traditional lenders have standards and practices which are not tailored to modular construction and accordingly, it has become increasingly evident that securing adequate funding is one of the key factors essential for the industry’s continued growth.

With space heating, air conditioning
and water heating accounting for significant percentages of a building’s energy consumption, modular builders who want to take advantage of the IRA
incentives should look closely at their HVAC and water heater technology and explore more energy-efficient options.