Investment in modular building hire fleet

The £10 million first phase of the investment has already been completed and included £3 million for new double classrooms which are already helping schools and LEAs to address the urgent shortfall in teaching accommodation for primary education across the UK. The second phase of new modular buildings will be manufactured and in stock before the end of this year.

Robert Snook, director and general manager of Portakabin Hire said: "We have ambitious plans to grow the business and our continued investment in new buildings is central to that and will help us meet the increased demand for interim accommodation solutions across the UK.”

"This latest investment will enable us to offer an even better quality hire fleet that is the most modern in the UK. Our customers will also benefit from faster lead times for buildings for short-term use and with no front loading of costs to pay for manufacturing. We offer a flat rate hire cost so our customers have no capital outlay, allowing buildings to be funded cost effectively out of revenue budgets.”

In addition to the fleet expansion, Portakabin has an ongoing programme of investment in its Hire Centre estate. This will enable it to service the needs of local organisations and businesses more effectively, and the requirements of major projects nationwide. New initiatives include a new Hire Centre in Coventry, the relocation of the Crawley Hire Centre to a much larger site at Lingfield as well as new covered workshops and stores buildings in Merseyside and in Oldham.             

Portakabin Hire says 80% of its buildings are delivered within 14 days and some within just 24h.      

The business also commits to visiting every customer within 24h of initial contact if requested, to providing a 24h service, seven days a week and to completing every project on time and on budget.

Portakabin Hire can deliver both specially-designed projects and standardised accommodation solutions, on sites with restricted or difficult access, with less disruption than site-based construction and with less impact on the environment. Applications are diverse and include open plan office accommodation, security buildings, canteens, training suites, schools, shower and changing rooms, health clinics and decant ward buildings.

These facilities can be supplied and installed just days from receipt of order complete with energy-efficient comfort heating and cooling, heat recovery ventilation, specialist furniture and fittings, security and fire prevention systems, integrated data communications, access ramps, and entrance canopies. Modular buildings can also be clad, and easily extended, reconfigured or relocated to meet an organisation’s changing needs.