Trimble Showcasing Connected Workflows at Offsite Alliance Industry Day Event

March saw Trimble host the Offsite Alliance Industry Day at our Leeds office, showcasing the unique workflows designed to make the lives of offsite manufacturers and contractors easier. Missed the event? Read on, as Craig Johnson, our Business Development Manager AECO, looks back on the day.

Formed in 2019 in a bid to bring the sector together, Offsite Alliance are on a mission to create a new era of construction through collaboration, driving change through the latest innovations and processes, and fostering a new generation of industry professionals

A core focus of the day was connected construction, showcasing the workflows available for the offsite sector that take manufacturers and contractors from the initial concept design right through to on-site assembly and snagging.

From design through to delivery

A golden thread of information is at the heart of modern-day construction, ensuring compliance with the evolving building regulations and the Building Safety Act. As such, a common data environment and smooth flow of data throughout a project can be invaluable, connecting teams, software and construction stages.

While many may associate Tekla Structures (our 3D modelling & detailing software) with the offsite industry and its ability to combine different materials into one model, our portfolio goes far beyond this, providing offsite manufacturers and contractors with a complete and comprehensive workflow that connects all stages. From Sketchup for initial concept design and Tekla Structures, which covers everything from design and detailing, estimation, production management of structures and now also mass timber, through to enhanced collaboration in Trimble Connect. We offer a comprehensive suite of products specifically for MEP, covering every step of the construction process.

When it comes to maintaining control of projects and the ‘Golden Thread’ of data to support legislation around the Building Safety Act, we offer two solutions. These are Viewpoint for Projects, a construction management software providing tools for project management and collaboration and Viewpoint Field View, a mobile and cloud-based solution tailored for

construction field management. These systems allow construction teams to manage tasks, capture data and document projects onsite, using mobile devices, even being offline, and are all aimed at improving communication, collaboration and overall project efficiency.

This promotes the theme of interoperability, something which was a key topic for the day, with a lot of our MEP tools developed to work within the Autodesk Revit platform. Our Trimble Connect offering essentially acts as the glue that holds together our entire portfolio of solutions and allows the sharing of data across projects and between products.

Industry Partners

It was great to welcome industry partners to the event, such as Building Point UK & Ireland, who demonstrated the capabilities of our hardware - including Total Stations and surveying equipment. As a result of Trimble’s emphasis on interoperability, users can take data from the factory or field and into the drawing office (and vice versa) with ease. Sitech also joined the Industry Day, highlighting the value of machine control and automation, utilising the information-rich data contained within the 3D model and using Trimble Connect to share that data for setting out and machine control.

Productivity gains

Ultimately, the day was all about how digital workflows and software-hardware interoperability can deliver productivity gains for the offsite sector. With enhanced speed, automation and efficiency, teams can spend less time on detailing and less time on site, with improved accuracy, coordination and communication. For us, it’s all about aiding manufacturers and contractors in delivering on what the offsite methodology promises – enhanced speed, safety, quality and sustainability.

Industry insight

A highlight of the day was an engaging panel discussion with industry experts, including Katie Rudin Housing Lead – Akerlof, Dan Leech, CEO at Design4Structures, and Ben Wallbank, Trimble’s Digital Construction and Partnership Manager, on how the offsite sector can help UK housebuilders deliver on the ambitious housing targets. The conversation focussed on the value a kit-of-parts approach could offer, a potential shift to industrialised construction, and how connected technology and a digitally savvy generation could help facilitate this on the ground.

“The more standardised and industrialised we can make housing, in particular, the easier it will be. You can speed up your design, your manufacturing and installation processes - it’s an absolute no-brainer.”

Gaynor Tennant, Founder and Chair, Offsite Alliance, said: "It was fantastic to see all the incredible technology showcased by Trimble that’s driving real productivity gains and transforming the way we approach construction. From design through to delivery, the advancements we saw are a testament to how digital tools and industrialised construction can unlock better outcomes across the board. Events like this really highlight the power of collaboration and innovation to shape a more efficient, sustainable future for our industry."

For more information contact; www.trimble.com or www.offsitealliance.org