Oakleaf has announced a significant expansion of its operations with the launch of a dedicated modular manufacturing division, specialising in the offsite production of fully fitted, custom-built bathroom pods.
The launch marks an important milestone for the Group and represents a major step into the growing offsite construction market.
Operating from a 65,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in Lancaster, the new division will design and manufacture modular bathroom pods for a range of sectors, including residential, student accommodation, hotels and healthcare.
Each pod is manufactured in a controlled factory environment before being transported to site ready for installation, complete with fixtures, fittings, plumbing, electrical components and finishes.
By moving much of the construction process offsite, this approach can help reduce the amount of work required on site while improving quality control, programme certainty and manufacturing efficiency.
Major Contract Secured
The launch has already resulted in a major multi-million-pound contract for Oakleaf, with the Group appointed to manufacture and supply approximately 3,300 bathroom pods for a large-scale student accommodation development at a leading English university.
Oakleaf Contracts Director Philip McCoubrey said:
“The launch of our modular division represents an exciting new chapter for Oakleaf and enables us to combine our award-winning construction expertise with advanced and highly specialised offsite manufacturing capabilities.
“Offsite construction is playing an increasingly important role in meeting the demands of modern building projects and is an area that we’ve been looking to develop for some time.
“Our modular bathroom pods offer significant advantages in terms of reduced onsite labour, improved quality control, minimising risk and supporting sustainability objectives through reduced waste and more efficient manufacturing processes.
“The fact that we’ve been able to secure a contract for 3,300 pods so soon after our launch demonstrates both the strength of the opportunity and the confidence clients have in our approach. We look forward to building on this early success and developing long-term partnerships with clients across multiple sectors.”
Supporting Growth and Employment
The modular division will also create immediate employment for around 50 people in the Lancaster region and will be headed up on the ground by Oakleaf Commercial Manager Nigel McCarthy.
Nigel said:
“This investment underlines our commitment to long-term growth and innovation.
“By introducing modular manufacturing, we are broadening our service offering and positioning Oakleaf at the forefront of modern construction, providing integrated solutions that combine traditional contracting expertise with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to meet the evolving needs of the built environment.”
Building on 25 Years of Experience
Founded in 2000, Oakleaf has grown into a construction and manufacturing business delivering specialist contracting, interior fit-out and modern methods of construction solutions across the UK and Ireland.
With offices in Magherafelt, Dublin and Sheffield, the Group has extensive experience delivering complex projects across the healthcare, hospitality, commercial, residential and technology sectors.
Its expertise includes interior fit-out, drywall partitions, suspended ceilings, raised access flooring, steel framing systems and specialist construction solutions.
The launch of the new modular division builds on that experience and represents the next stage in Oakleaf’s continued growth, combining established construction expertise with modern offsite manufacturing.