Local construction businesses specialising in offsite construction had the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise at a special event organised by Invest Northern Ireland.

Members from the UK construction organisation Buildoffsite travelled to Northern Ireland to participate in a networking event aimed at profiling Northern Ireland as a region with an innovative and mature network of suppliers.

Buildoffsite has a membership of international designers, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers who are working together to exploit the benefits available from offsite construction. Offsite construction refers to structures built at a different location than the location of use and is increasingly becoming the preferred option for delivering health, education, commercial and other buildings across the UK and Ireland.

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Invest NI organised the two-day event in order to demonstrate the capabilities of Northern Ireland businesses with an existing reputation in this developing market and identify potential opportunities for collaboration. This included a guided tour of the McAvoy Group facilities and a presentation from the project delivery team on the Titanic Building.

Kevin McCann, Invest NI’s Director of Advanced Engineering and Construction, said: "While the wider UK and European construction markets are struggling, the offsite industry offers considerable commercial opportunities.

"Promoting the region’s expertise and skills to these international players will help to raise the profile of Northern Ireland’s construction sector and build a platform for local companies to compete for new business in Great Britain and beyond."

Richard Ogden, Chairman of Buildoffsite said: "Northern Ireland has a significant manufacturing tradition and this heritage is reflected in the strength and expertise of local product and service suppliers. The local industry is very supportive of the increased role for offsite construction solutions in creating an innovative and competitive construction industry, delivering high quality buildings and structures in the UK and in export markets."

The local firms that took part in the event included professional services, contracting and product solutions companies.

Dungannon-based McAvoy Group, which recently announced significant contract successes in Britain, facilitated a tour of its premises to showcase its recent offsite and modular builds in the UK and Ireland.

(CD/GK)