b'CONSTRUCTION TRENDSETTERSOne headwind it has faced in Canada ispractice? I dont know, Melendezthink having factory-built homes that are the perception that modular equals pre- replies. The government has been fairlymultiplexes is the right move.fab, which has, in the public perception,quiet on the actual ins and outs of that.Im excited about the opportunities that meant slapdash and lower quality.What I do [deduce] is theyre looking forthe future holds for modular, concludes In reality, with current materials andplexes, largely. They want mass timber fabrication methods, thats simply notor lumber, to help those industries, andMelendez, because I think the reality is the case. The other factor is that, aparttheyre looking to create density [as withthat this technology has never been in from a few major centres, Canada isthe Naawi-Oodena builds on the formera better position to succeed. What we made up of lower-density communities,Kapyong Barracks site, which will get aneed to do as an industry is to execute which dont lend themselves well to theshare of the federal funding]. I think thewell, to actually turn this tailwind the construction volumes required to makegovernments approach is wise, and Imethod has picked up into a win.modular a more attractive method.Inconsistent demand presents a challenge for modular in that so far, demand and funding have come in fitsWHAT MODULAR NEEDS TO SUCCEED IN MANITOBAand starts. A lot of the efficiency is lostStar Building Materials shares firsthand insightswhen demand is down, noted Melendez in a conversation with Build Manitoba,on demand, capacity and the industry shifts neededso you have to lay people off andto unlock modulars full potential.mothball equipment. The demand needs to be there. Manitobas modular and panelized construction sector has the capacity, The hope for modular contractors,technology and talent to grow, but still faces the same challenges raised in obviously, is that the advantages ofthe broader modular conversation: inconsistent demand, uneven adoption the technology and technique createand an industry culture thats slow to change. According to Mark Kennedy, more demand, with one advantagevice presidentManitoba, Star Building Materials Ltd., the province is being speed of assembly. In fact, in awell-positioned but not yet operating at the scale the system needs.previous article published in the winterKennedy is clear about the most significant barrier: Consistent demand 2022 issue of Build Manitoba aboutis everything in the manufacturing process. Having a consistent order construction of The Halo on Pembinafile allows you to plan labour, production scheduling and timely inventory Highway, M Builds partner Tony Nocitacontrols, which create efficiencies and bring down costs.explained the speed of on-site assemblyAt Stars Winnipeg prefab plant, production is not yet running at full of panels it fabricated in its warehouse:capacity. Currently we are running at about 50 per cent of our capacity. Because they were able to stand steelConsistent orders would allow us to add second shifts and scale up in the morning from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.,production capabilities. Nothing kills production more than inconsistent and then from 3 p.m. until 6 or 7 p.m.,demand. To be super busy one month, and nothing the next, kills manufac-we were able to completely close in oneturing efficiencies. Good labour is too hard to find to be laying people off floor ineight to nine daysso thatand too expensive to have [them] sit at home and pay them.made for a very quick process.Quality control is another advantageThis volatility stands in contrast to markets like Sweden, where long-term to modular, especially consideringdemand and industry-wide adoption keep modular factories efficient and the often wild prairie weather, whichfully utilized. Its a model Manitoba could move towards with stronger can challenge traditional constructionalignment across developers, builders and government. Even with strong methods. Melendez offered thiscapacity, modular cant scale without broader buy-in.comparison, while emphasizing that heThe opportunities are huge in the Manitoba market, Kennedy says. The wasnt disparaging outdoor, on-site builtchallenges are the builders accepting a new way of building. Nobody likes construction: The reality is, for millennia,change, and Manitoba is very slow at adopting new building practices. thats how its been done and its fine.Panelized or modular housing solutions are not new processes in other But I used vehicles as an analogy in myprovinces. Its been around for years. Its the willingness of builders to presentationwould you buy a car thatchange the way they are currently building.was built outside? No. Youd rather haveThe benefits, he notes, are both immediate and proven: The ability to cut a car thats machined properly [inside, construction timelines in half is real by adopting new building products in a quality and environmentallyand technologies that are already being used in other provinces. It also controlled space]. But we see thehelps with labour shortages by not needing as many skilled labour on site. outside build as normal for construction,It can save money by cutting carrying costs and on-site efficiencies and [so the move towards modular is] just aconstruction site theft.paradigm shift.Now that Ottawa has put modular frontThe lesson from established modular markets is clear: when demand is and centre in its Build Canada Homessteady and adoption is widespread, efficiency follows.initiative, what does that look like in Issue 4 | Winter Edition | 2025 BUILD MANITOBA 33'