Willmott Dixon has signed a three-year agreement with off-site product suppliers to 'future-proof' its residential construction business.

The company is seeking to build up to 1,000 homes a year using factory manufactured systems.

The strategic agreements aim to reduce reliance on on-site trades as costs continue to rise with demand outstripping supply.

The company has signed agreements with Robertson Timber Engineering as its sole supplier of timber frame produces, while Fusion Building Systems will provide light-gauge steel frames.


Charlie Scherer, the company's Residential Construction COO, said: "This is an important step in our strategy to provide a high quality product that utilises all the benefits of factory-made systems while also reducing our exposure to the labour price escalation we’ve seen in recent years. We aim to be building 1,000 homes a year by 2017 using systems provided by Robertson and Fusion, with the consistent quality also aiding our zero defects strategy."

Tim Carey, Product Director for Willmott Dixon, added: "The selection of Robertson and Fusion will help maximise efficiencies across our projects, enabling us to deliver as many high-quality homes in as short a time frame as possible whilst ensuring they are delivered to the quality our clients deserve."

(LM)