An exhibition event showcasing modern methods of construction (MMC) has proven more of an eye-opening success than anticipated.
This week’s third Offsite Construction Show at the ExCeL in London was the first time Ideal Standard had been represented with a stand at the event, with more than 3,000 people attending from across the construction, design, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
We were the only bathroom and washroom manufacturer to attend, with some 60 people entering into genuine discussions with our team and more than 20 solid business leads generated.
These came from bathroom pod manufacturers and developers who use offsite construction methods, with enquiries coming from companies based as far away as Japan.
Business Development Director Neil Bills said: “This was a really good networking opportunity with non-competitor suppliers and manufacturers and other organisations to provide business and learning opportunities.
“It was really helpful for us to gain an insight into offsite construction but equally where the sector growth is like to come from.”
He added: “We made contact with architects we haven’t worked with before and gained some significant leads from existing customers, to work with them on developing a proposition to support their MMC ambitions.
“It was very much a test and learn for us going into the show but it was a really worthwhile event for us to attend and surprised us with the quality of discussion and visitors.
“Thanks a lot to Darren Fisher, Jack Selby and Steve Young from sales for working the stand and Ash Smith from marketing for designing a ‘stand-out’ stand.”
Offsite construction is potentially important to the business as it is being promoted by the government as one way of addressing the national housing shortfall and the number of developments using this method is likely to increase sharply in the next few years.