Construction group Laing O’Rourke is currently looking for more locations to build manufacturing plants so it can carry out three-quarters of its work using off-site methods.

Chief Operating Officer Tony Douglas is heading the search. Presently, only 10 per cent of its work is manufactured off-site, however the former Heathrow Airport boss wants to approach a 70 per cent target.

Laing O’Rourke is planning to open its first manufacturing plant at former colliery in Steetley, Derbyshire, next year.

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Mr Douglas commented: "We are planning more. There will be probably 200-300 people working at Steetley, all highly skilled, highly paid operatives."

His boss Ray O’Rourke has previously stated he believes off-site manufacturing is the future of construction, and he has visited Japan to research how contractors and other industries carry out pre-assembly.

"We have to bring down the dependency on building sites. Skills shortages and economics will focus us to be more resourceful in manufacturing. And factory safety is better than site safety," Mr Douglas said.

"Laing O’Rourke is a heavyweight now and competitors will be sucking their teeth when they see the size of the results."

"There are huge opportunities out there and we are looking at a big income growth in the next three years. If you look at O’Rourke in the past, it has grown organically and by acquisition. The same will be true in the future."

(JM/SP)