Last year was an exciting but tumultuous one for the construction industry across multiple sectors as manufacturers and contractors balanced increasing demand and supply chain disruption. As we turn our attention to 2022, the Epsilon team identified a number of likely scenarios for the coming months, particularly as they relate to Off-Site Construction. Here are a few of our observations:
Focus on Aesthetics – The Epsilon team has seen an increasing call for architectural facades and other design elements that help blend central utility plants with the overall look and feel of the parent structure. It’s an interesting challenge and one that is particularly enjoyable for our team. Several of our case studies include facades and architectural design elements – and we anticipate continued growth in this area.
Increased Efficiencies – With skilled labor shortages and supply chain issues continuing into 2022, we predict even more interest in the increased construction efficiencies offered by Off-Site Construction of modular central utility plants. Building owners and constructors are looking for every advantage in order to bring projects in on-time and budget, and the schedule / cost certainty of OSC is proving to be a powerful factor in meeting scheduling and labor challenges.
Greater Adoption – The above two trends naturally flow to our next prediction – a greater adoption of Off-Site Construction methods across the construction industry, with a particular growth in the manufacturing, education and healthcare industries where speed to market is critical. We anticipate more constructors and building owners will look to OSC for central utility plants and other mechanical systems, as part of a larger trend towards greater use of modular and prefabrication throughout the industry.
New Players – This is a double-edged sword. As construction growth continues and more firms turn to Off-Site Construction to realize a myriad of benefits, we predict new players will enter the OSC manufacturing market. This is positive, in that a strong field of competitors is critical to meeting the future demands for OSC. However, new firms entering the space don’t have the 20-year-plus track record of successful experience of companies like Epsilon, so constructors and owners will need to ensure they conduct adequate due diligence and select firms with the proven ability to meet the project goals, not simply the lowest cost bid.
The coming year promises to be exciting for everyone involved in the construction industry, and there are sure to be new challenges, along with plenty of opportunities. The Epsilon team keeps a close eye on the industry, and we constantly strive to improve our own design and manufacturing expertise and efficiencies so our clients can trust they are getting the best possible Off-Site Construction experience. If you are planning a project in 2022, please get in touch to learn more about the Epsilon difference.
