For years I’ve watched the British modular housing industry grow with new factories opening and sadly watching as several large modular factories recently closed their doors, but through it all, I have come to admire what they have accomplished. Here is a great example of how our colleagues in England are making huge advances in modular construction.
Located in the heart of Warwickshire, England, ModPods International stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, striving to address the severe housing shortage plaguing Coventry and the broader West Midlands region. Since its inception in 2019, the company’s groundbreaking efforts in the modular homes industry have ignited hope and a sense of possibility for communities grappling with the housing crisis.
Modular housing, a revolutionary concept where homes are constructed off-site and then delivered to the location, is the core of ModPods International’s operations. The brainchild of dynamic Coventry duo Pete Farrelly and Steve Smith, the company’s mission is to offer affordable, sustainable housing in record time — just a third of the duration typically needed for traditional construction.
The extensive 200,000 sq ft ModPods manufacturing site in Stoneleigh is where the magic unfolds. Here, homes are fashioned out of hot and cold-rolled steel and can be customized with sustainable, reusable technology. The resulting structures, with their high thermal properties, present an environmentally friendly housing option, aligning with the growing global emphasis on sustainable living.
It was the Birmingham City Council’s proposition six years ago, asking Pete Farrelly to convert a shipping container into a house, that ignited the idea of ModPods. Instead, the entrepreneurial duo offered to develop a modular house, which was successfully delivered four years ago. Since then, ModPods has deployed about 100 units to local authorities and housing associations, carving out a niche in the affordable housing market.
In a crucial new venture, ModPods is teaming up with Citizen Housing to deliver a series of homes in Coventry. This partnership’s first phase entails 24 properties, comprising one-bedroom bungalows, two-bedroom semi-detached houses, and three-bedroom homes. These properties are under construction and will be ready for delivery soon.
The need for housing solutions like those offered by ModPods has never been more urgent. According to Steve Smith, an estimated 300,000 new homes must be built to support the UK’s housing crisis, with roughly 10,000 families currently in sheltered accommodation – a figure that has surged by 350% over the past decade.
The founders’ commitment to the community extends beyond the provision of housing. Recognizing the value of apprenticeships from their own career beginnings, Pete and Steve have invested heavily in a Training Academy. Currently supporting seven apprentices, the academy plans to double its intake in the coming months.
In the backdrop of exponential growth, an extensive order book, and lucrative contracts with local authorities and housing associations, ModPods is actively recruiting staff to cater to the expansion. Smith shared, “Our pipeline is potentially in excess of £250 million, and we are investigating building a super-factory within the Coventry area to support that growth.”
At the helm of this transformational venture are seasoned experts Andy Cornaby, MD, and CEO Pete Farrelly. Their shared vision to revolutionize housing by creating factory-built, transportable homes that differ from traditional modular housing is quickly becoming a reality.
Their goal? To expedite construction times, provide an innovative, stylish, and spacious living alternative for social landlords and private developers, and introduce a solution that is fit for 21st-century housing needs.
ModPods International represents more than just a company; through its ongoing ventures and future plans, ModPods is undoubtedly setting the stage for a paradigm shift in the UK’s housing landscape.
