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Apartment complex originating from a manufacturing facility

Dutch manufacturer providing completed elements for skyscrapers, incorporating kitchen and bathroom fixtures, encounters obstacles in Germany due to rapid, cost-effective production methods.

Residential building originating from a manufacturing facility
Residential building originating from a manufacturing facility

Apartment complex originating from a manufacturing facility

In the heart of the Dutch city of Almelo, construction company Plegt-Vos is making waves in the housing industry with its innovative prefabrication method. The company, employing 600 people and boasting an annual turnover of 400 million euros, is known for its smart house product, produced in a state-of-the-art factory dubbed the "smart house factory."

The prefabrication process at Plegt-Vos is akin to assembling an IKEA flat-pack. Wooden planks are transformed into sections of house facades, each one a module ready for connection on site. This method is faster and cheaper than traditional construction methods, making it a game-changer in the industry.

The company's modular construction method is considered revolutionary, as apartment blocks are built modularly. Rather than assembling houses from many individual parts on the building site, modules are produced in the factory. These modules are then connected on site, streamlining the construction process and reducing project timelines significantly.

The smart house factory houses a transformation process involving a dozen workers and eight robotic arms. The specific nature of the robotic arms' involvement in the process is not detailed, but their presence underscores the company's commitment to leveraging technology to improve efficiency and quality.

The house facade will have a brick-like appearance and windows, providing a traditional aesthetic while taking advantage of modern construction techniques. The exact purpose of the house facade section being produced is not specified, but it is a testament to the versatility of Plegt-Vos' prefabrication method.

Engineer Berri de Jonge is one of the minds behind this revolutionary approach. Despite the company's success, the founder or leader of Plegt-Vos remains an enigma, with their identity not publicly available information.

The prefabrication method used by Plegt-Vos is known as prefabrication, or Prefab for short. This term refers to the construction of modules off-site and their subsequent assembly on site, a process that has proven to be faster, cheaper, and more efficient than traditional construction methods.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, it's clear that Plegt-Vos is at the forefront of innovation. Their prefabrication method is not just a step forward; it's a leap that promises to revolutionise the way houses are built in the Netherlands and beyond.

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