The duo, who honed their craft over decades of building and managing distinctive, reliable, and remote modular solutions for the North American resource sector, now construct new multi-family housing, staff housing for businesses, and shelter accommodations for the homeless, made possible by the growing supplier presence and expanding capabilities in today’s modular industry.

Specializing in providing clients with a full turnkey solution that takes their modular building project from conception and permitting to installation and occupancy, 720 Modular works directly with owners, providing a group of architects, consultants, modular manufacturers, and general contractors to speed up construction and produce projects at a reasonable cost.

“Our passion for our business is really about acting as the quarterback between traditional onsite construction, building things that everybody knows how to do in the industry, and being the conduit to more innovative offsite construction,” adds Ferguson.

Creating more affordable housing across the country is a high priority, and one they both strive to provide for families that need a hand. “Craig’s the technical side of the business wholeheartedly, and I’m more the vision of what can be done that we can bring together,” says Ferguson. “We help owners, manufacturing facilities, and local general contractors better understand each other.”

Quarterbacking all these efforts includes bringing together design (the architects and the engineers) and the factory, which shoulders the lion’s share of the off-site construction. There is also the transportation of modules from the off-site manufacturing facility to the on-site project location, and the assembly crew, which encompasses crane operators and the individuals who fit the modular pieces together, connecting them and ensuring they’re weather-tight. Finally, there is the site general contractor who prepares the site as they would for any building. Once that happens, assembly is quick.

“They step in and finish what I like to call the wrapping paper,” says Ferguson. “They put cladding on the building, finish the roof package, whether flat or peaked, and do all of the connections inside. They do the landscaping and parking, and then we hand the keys over to the owner.”

Smoothly integrating all of those key players in a project is vital, he adds. Each of those different people on the team is often used to working in silos within their respective areas under a traditional construction model, whereas modular construction demands clear communication and collaboration.

“Really, that’s our strength,” Mitchell says. “Troy and I have both seen projects fail in the modular construction world because no one has been quarterbacking that process. People think modular construction is another tool in your toolbox, another form of construction, but the process of modular construction—how well you’ve coordinated a project—is where projects are won or lost.”

To that end, 720 Modular believes that modular construction won’t gain traction in Canada unless it’s well coordinated, which is where the company shines.

Over the last 50 years, modular construction in Canada has been largely synonymous with single-family modular housing, trailer parks, and industrial workforce camps; it’s only in the last decade that it has been seen as a method of construction that could solve some of the existing labour issues in construction. Now, modular is enjoying an uptick, particularly in the affordable housing sector.

“We’re in the volumetric modular business, so 3D if you will,” Ferguson explains. “Modular versus prefabrication are different. We actually build the entire unit to a finished state, primarily in the factory.”

The team’s work in the mental health sector is a particular source of pride, with their first project a four-storey apartment building with commercial space for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, which then led to a second building. “Craig and I are true believers in supporting Canadian mental health,” Ferguson shares. “We both have experienced family mental health challenges firsthand so we’re passionate about that.”

The company is also dedicated to taking “idle assets” and turning them into homeless shelters or seniors’ transitional housing. In fact, 720 Modular is now on its eleventh project repurposing western Canadian used energy sector assets in eastern Canada, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island, adding several hundred beds.

“We’re intent on trying to develop that local knowledge as well, and we rely on the local boots-on-the-ground people to assist us in every region,” says Mitchell. “Our focus has been to develop an Atlantic Canada team and an Ontario team, and eventually we’ll have a Western Canada team. It just so happens that we’ve got traction in Atlantic Canada, so that’s really where we started.”

Everything’s better when you’re on a team, he stresses. “Traditional construction always has been building one project, and then the team goes their separate ways, another project comes along, and you try to bring a team back together. That’s not an efficient way to build buildings. We’re taking the team approach and developing a body of knowledge amongst each of these individual people, so the whole is going to be greater than the sum of the parts. We’re aiming to build buildings faster, and we’ve proven it can be done.”

In fact, the design team for 720 Modular’s second project with the Canadian Mental Health Association worked 30 percent faster than the first project because they knew each other, had some standardized designs, and turned over the project in less than 12 months from start to finish.

“We really believe in the team approach to building projects and scaling housing in Canada,” says Mitchell. “Ultimately, we don’t want to just do one-off projects; we’d like a stream of projects. We’d like a portfolio of owners who say, ‘We value this type of construction. Let’s not just build one project—let’s build 50 projects.’”

Pondering 720 Modular’s success and lessons learned, the word “trailblazing” comes to mind. From an operations standpoint, the modular sector in Canada as a whole is still very much behind other areas of the world. 720 Modular is striving to kickstart the industry by bringing multiple players along on that journey to build capacity. And there are role models to be found, such as Sweden, which is 20 years ahead of Canada in off-site construction.

“80 percent of the homes in Sweden are built in a factory, and we do less than 5 percent here in Canada, so we’ve got a long way to go,” says Mitchell.

The company is learning, he adds, making a series of mistakes along the way, but always learning from them and coaching team members to get better. “We’re bootstrappers,” says Ferguson. “My value proposition in our organization is to see the value, to bring the pieces together, and to understand what type of acumen and character we need to help teach people to think a different way.”

Trailblazing also means cultivating confidence in the industry and teaching as many people as possible. “We’re not here to cover the entire market. We’re here to be a piece of it and to share what we know. We can do it way faster and at a better price point so that all of our kids can actually own a home or, at the very least, have a decent life without rent consuming more than 50 percent of their take-home pay,” says Ferguson.

While one of the company’s biggest challenges will be finding employees with the skill sets needed to perform modular construction properly, this is also an opportunity to grow the team’s mentality, direction, and strength. 720 Modular’s success with Canadian Mental Health is one example of the team flexing those muscles, and in the coming 12 months, the company will crest the 200-unit mark in new, social, affordable housing—an exciting milestone—and will be working on its second First Nations project.

“There’s social good in the work we’re doing,” says Mitchell. “You don’t often get that in your career. You’re sometimes punching a clock or wondering why you’re in a business. This is tangible. We get to see the people actually housed in our units, and you realize you’re making a difference. From a success standpoint, that means a lot. We don’t often get that in our career.”

For Troy Ferguson, this is more than just a successful business: it’s a truly personal project stemming from some tough childhood experiences. “I grew up in Ontario housing with my sister and my single mom, a little bit ashamed of where we lived, to be honest,” he says. “You grow up in a small town and you’re the family that lives ‘over there.’ It always stuck with me, and I was lucky to get educated and find my place in the world and try to do some good.”

While financial success is important to be able to continue the work, what differentiates 720 Modular is the team’s ability to inject pride into the places it creates for people in these social housing environments.

“I personally believe if you love where you live, you just love yourself better,” stresses Ferguson. “We’re hoping we can give people a nice place at a lower cost for everybody. That’s our goal, and I think it’s a differentiator to give people some hope, give those kids some hope, so they can go on to do some good for the country.”

With that comes creating a playbook, he adds, one that the company must work on every day. “How are we going to add to the book? This book is going to be valuable to everybody else in the country, and we’re going to be happy to share it, and that makes us feel good every day at work.”

The post Unlocking the Benefits of Modular Construction<p class="company">720 Modular</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

The company has built a reputation as a leader in custom-designed modular homes across Connecticut, Rhode Island, Fishers Island, and Block Island. What sets this team apart is not just its modular construction expertise, but its commitment to a client-focused experience and a promise that every homeowner will walk away with a space they love on the land they cherish.

Although the company welcomed new owners a few years ago, the core team of experienced staff has remained the same, ensuring continuity and consistency in every project. “Our main goal is to build a quality house for families to enjoy their dream home,” says General Manager, Amanda Anderson.

This commitment to continuity and client satisfaction is evident not only in the homes the company creates but also in the team itself. Longstanding employees, some with decades of experience, help ensure that the quality and culture of the company remain consistent across every project.

Modular construction has evolved over the years, shedding its old stigma as limiting or generic. “It has really become so customizable, especially with our company and how we approach construction,” says Marketing Manager, Jessica Kimble. “We have a lot of additional resources, and we provide a very turnkey process, more so than even other modular builders.”

This approach is reflected in the company’s robust portfolio of over 100 home plans, many of which feature the Interactive Exterior option, allowing clients to visualize and experiment with colors and finishes before construction even begins. Indeed, one of the standout features of Connecticut Valley Homes is its Design Center and Home Selections Studio, a combination of in-person and digital tools designed to simplify what can often be an overwhelming process: choosing finishes, colors, and details for a new home.

“We have a designer on our staff who walks our clients through the process of picking out all of their finishes,” says Kimble. The Design Center provides a central space where clients can experience and explore the various finishes firsthand, while the Home Selection Studio allows them to preview options online, save their favorites, and even upload inspiration images before meeting with the design team.

This dual approach gives homeowners the freedom to explore their options at their own pace, reducing stress and ensuring they feel confident in their choices. The team frequently curates selections to fit both style and budget, while also accommodating clients seeking more bespoke or unique finishes.

This process of combining expert guidance with client autonomy underscores Connecticut Valley Homes’ mission: turning what can be a complex construction project into an enjoyable and personalized journey.

Modular construction offers distinct advantages over traditional homebuilding, and Connecticut Valley Homes has leveraged these benefits to deliver a superior experience for homeowners. By building homes in a temperature- and humidity-controlled factory, the team ensures that every wall is perfectly square, every measurement precise, and any construction delays minimized. “By building in a factory, we use precise machinery and processes,” Kimble explains. “The quality is exceptional, and we can drastically shorten on-site build time.” For clients undertaking tear-down and rebuild projects, this approach significantly reduces the time they need to be away from their homes.

This efficiency is particularly valuable in the firm’s coastal markets, where timing can be crucial. Many clients are looking to enjoy summers in their second homes or avoid lengthy displacement during rebuilds, and with modular construction, much of the work can be done off-site and in the off-season, meaning homeowners spend less time waiting and more time enjoying their spaces.

Budget predictability is another significant benefit. Because all selections are finalized before construction, clients know exactly what they are paying for, reducing surprises and ensuring alignment with their financial goals.

Located in a region known for its picturesque coastline, Connecticut Valley Homes has cultivated a style that resonates with local tastes while remaining adaptable to individual client visions. “We’re a very coastal community, and a lot of our homes are very New England coastal,” Anderson notes. “We follow trends that are happening, but it’s really guided by what our clients want.” Whether it’s soft blues and whites echoing the ocean or modern finishes reflecting contemporary design sensibilities, the company’s homes are a testament to marrying traditional coastal charm with personalized touches.

Plans featuring the Interactive Exterior tool allow clients to adjust every color and finish individually, giving them a clear sense of how different combinations will look together. The ability to see a realistic preview of their home ensures that clients feel fully confident in their design decisions before construction begins.

One of the most compelling aspects of Connecticut Valley Homes is the fully customizable, turnkey service. Unlike some modular builders who only deliver the structural shell, this firm takes on the complete design-build process, beginning with an in-house architect all the way to finishing work. The team can create custom plans from scratch or modify existing plans.

“Our company is a little bit unique in our approach in that we do everything a design-build firm does, while also doing that through modular means,” says Kimble. “There are a lot of modular builders that only supply the house portion but don’t do finishing work,” she adds. This team takes a hands-on approach, handling extensive custom work to create a seamless blend between traditional design-build services and modular construction. This full-scale approach allows clients to enjoy a seamless process from start to finish, knowing that every detail is managed by experienced professionals who understand both the nuances of modular construction and the art of home design.

Connecticut Valley Homes’ commitment to quality has not gone unnoticed. The company has received accolades from the Modular Home Builders Association, including Home of the Month and Home of the Year awards. These awards highlight the company’s ability to combine innovation, design, and craftsmanship in homes that delight clients.

“One of our homes, the Beachfront Lookout, just won Home of the Year for homes under 2,500 square feet. It’s really exciting to see recognition for the work we’re doing,” Kimble shares. Such recognition reinforces the company’s reputation as a leader in modular home design and construction.

Beyond craftsmanship and design, Connecticut Valley Homes is deeply committed to supporting the communities in which it operates. By prioritizing local subcontractors, vendors, and banks, the company ensures that its growth also benefits regional economies. “We try to support our communities in different ways—donations, helping out with local events, and using local funding options for our clients,” Anderson shares. “It’s important to us that the communities where we work thrive.” The company also participates in professional associations such as the Better Business Bureau, the Modular Home Builders Association, and the National Association of Home Builders, staying connected to the broader homebuilding industry while fostering community relationships.

At the heart of Connecticut Valley Homes is its team, bringing a depth of experience and stability that ensures every client receives personalized attention and expert guidance. “We value our employees and try to create a work-life balance. I know it’s important to build quality homes, but I also care deeply about our team,” says Anderson. Several team members have been with the company for decades, forming a dedicated, longstanding group that genuinely cares about both the homes they build and the clients they serve. This dedication to team culture translates directly into client satisfaction, as every employee understands the importance of their role in delivering dream homes.

Connecticut Valley Homes is enjoying a very busy year, with many of its builds becoming more substantial and even more custom. Rather than focusing on expansion, the company is committed to serving its current regions of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Fishers Island, and Block Island with excellence and attention to detail. The company’s philosophy remains clear: focus on quality and client satisfaction over rapid expansion.

Ultimately, the hallmark of this company’s approach is its combination of customized design, modular efficiency, and full-service capability. Clients benefit from innovative digital tools and a highly skilled team dedicated to bringing their vision to life. And a human-centered approach combined with thoughtful design and precision construction has cemented Connecticut Valley Homes as a leader in the modular home industry.

For homeowners seeking a blend of coastal charm and modern customization, Connecticut Valley Homes provides an unmatched experience. From the first consultation to the moment clients step into their finished homes, every detail is managed with care, creativity, and a commitment to excellence.

The post Coastal Charm Meets Personalized Style<p class="company">Connecticut Valley Homes</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

This impressive data was compiled by industry research firm FMI Consulting of Raleigh, North Carolina, for the benefit of the Modular Building Institute (MBI). Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the nonprofit institute represents modular construction companies around the world.

While pleased with the findings, there was “nothing too shocking for me” in the FMI reports, given the popularity of modular construction, says MBI Executive Director Tom Hardiman.

“Everybody’s talking about housing. Local governments, state governments, federal governments… The Canadian government is pushing their Build Canada Homes initiative and modular is at the forefront of it,” states Hardiman, referring to a new Canadian government agency that aims to create more affordable housing.

There are two main types of modular buildings: permanent structures featuring foundations, often used for housing, healthcare, education, or office space. Relocatable modular buildings, as their name implies, are moveable, and this category consists of school portables, temporary housing for workers, emergency disaster shelters, and the like.

Multifamily residential is leading the permanent modular market in America, accounting for $7.1 billion in project value last year, and this is expected to rise to $11.3 billion by 2029, according to FMI’s 2025 United States Permanent Modular Construction Industry Report. Office-use buildings accounted for $1.4 billion in U.S. permanent modular construction last year, and this sector is expected to top $2 billion in 2029. For its part, the relocatable modular market generated $4.7 billion in total U.S. revenues in 2024.

In Canada, the multifamily modular market was valued at CDN$2.16 billion in 2024, followed by the commercial sector at CDN$644 million, education buildings at CDN$495 million, office space at CDN$135 million, and healthcare facilities at just under CDN$100 million, as reported by the FMI’s 2025 Canadian Permanent Modular Construction Industry Report. The reports cited speed to market and cost efficiency as leading drivers of the modular market.

In modular construction, sections of a building are built offsite in a factory. Large modules are shipped to a worksite and put together somewhat like massive building blocks. Steel and wood frames and concrete are the primary materials used in modular construction, and light-gauge steel framing is particularly popular for low-rise modular buildings. Only a handful of modules are needed to complete a structure; traditional construction, by contrast, is primarily conducted at the building site using countless parts and pieces.

Modular construction is safer, speedier, more sustainable, and less expensive than conventional methods, say advocates. Since modular building requires fewer workers and less on-site work, it can help ease soaring housing costs. And modular homes are constructed in controlled factory settings, which is “much safer than working outside, hanging off a building 10 stories up,” adds Hardiman.

Modular construction also produces less waste than traditional construction, which typically generates bins of scrap which are shipped to landfill sites. With modular, leftover lumber and other materials can be set aside in the factory for use in future projects.

MBI has approximately 700 members around the world, the majority of whom are from the permanent modular sector as mergers and acquisitions have reduced the size of the relocatable modular segment. Canada accounts for approximately 80 members, while Europe has roughly 60. Interest in modular building is growing in these regions, says Hardiman, who points to MBI’s recent World of Modular Europe event in Madrid, Spain in October. In Canada, newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to tackle housing issues, and Build Canada Homes was launched September 14, 2025, under his auspices. MBI has worked with Canada for years and continues to meet representatives there to talk about the sector.

MBI hosts its annual Awards of Distinction to salute notable achievements by its members. MODLOGIQ, a Pennsylvania-based commercial modular construction firm, took first place this year in the Permanent Modular Healthcare category, for its work on a 100,000-square-foot hospital called the Athens Medical Campus. About 95 percent of this four-story hospital facility was prefabricated in Pennsylvania before being shipped to Athens, Ohio and assembled. Waste was drastically reduced on the project and much of the material was recycled.

“This approach prevented 400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, recycled 230 tons of materials, and significantly cut project costs,” notes an MBI case study.

“The community got their hospital completed a year early, so it was a great story for the community and our industry,” marvels Hardiman.

On the political stage, MBI continues to grapple with the long wake of the Davis-Bacon Act. Passed during the Great Depression, the act mandated that companies pay local prevailing wages to laborers and mechanics employed on government-funded public works projects. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to tweak the act so its provisions included modular construction. Given that this would drastically raise costs for the industry, MBI lobbied hard against these changes. The U.S. Department of Labor eventually scuttled plans to modify the act. While this was a victory for MBI at the federal level, the fight continues.

“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing now is a lot of states taking up ‘Little Davis-Bacon’ [Acts]. We had Oregon and New York pass bills this year to expand prevailing wage rates into modular factories for state-funded projects—schools, housing, healthcare,” Hardiman states. MBI is working hard to rescind such bills or convince state legislators not to pass new ones.

Pushback against modular construction might stem from the sector’s growing mainstream acceptance, which threatens the conventional construction industry, Hardiman suggests. MBI runs an initiative called the Modular Advocacy Program (MAP) to raise funds for awareness campaigns. Fundraising has enabled MBI to hire a national public relations firm which arranges interviews and produces news articles; in Canada, another public relations firm performs a similar on behalf of MBI. The institute also maintains a foundation for public education.

The goal of all this activity is to highlight the benefits of modular construction while dispelling stereotypes, since people often confuse modular buildings with trailer homes, for example. These efforts are starting to bear fruit, says Hardiman. “We’re finding more groups like architects, engineers, contractors, are reaching out to us and saying, ‘We have modular on the agenda. Can you speak to us?’ Whereas in the past, it wasn’t on their agenda,” he shares.

In addition, MBI continues its work with the International Code Council (ICC) to implement modular construction standards. MBI is encouraging legislators to adopt standards it has produced in collaboration with the ICC. These include ICC/MBI 1200, which covers planning, fabrication, assembly, and design in off-site modular construction, and ICC/MBI 1205, which concerns regulatory compliance and inspection. These standards have been adopted by Utah, Virginia, and other states.

MBI also has a close relationship with the University of New Brunswick—which features an off-site construction research center—and the American Institute of Architecture Students. In addition, MBI works with universities in proximity to its annual World of Modular conferences and offers scholarships to students who want to attend its annual conference in the U.S. “Last year, we had 50 students come there; we pay for it. We just think, if we want to get the best and brightest students, they should be at the industry conference meeting people,” says Hardiman.

MBI also offers details about careers in the sector as well as job postings as part of its careers in modular construction campaign. “Anyone can send us their résumé and then we try to matchmake with our members. [We provide] a portal for careers in our industry.”

With an eye toward cultivating the next generation of skilled workers, the future looks very bright, with the U.S. modular market forecast to hit $25.4 billion in 2029, based on a 4.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to FMI. The Canadian modular market is estimated to reach CDN$6.4 billion that same year based on a five percent CAGR, adds FMI.

As for further growth potential, Hardiman cites the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure published earlier this year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). While the report focused on non-residential structures such as transit (which earned a D), ports (B), and rail (B minus), it also covered aviation and schools, both of which received dismal D+ grades. When all results were compiled, U.S. infrastructure earned a C overall.

While this is actually an improvement on previous ASCE scores, Hardiman was unimpressed. “We’ve got to do better,” he says. “I’m not suggesting that modular is going to solve all the problems, but I think it’s time to take a fresh look at how we build.”

The post Big Gains Ahead for Modular Construction<p class="company">Modular Building Institute </p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“While we continue to offer the core services that built our reputation—roofing, windows, siding, and decks—we’ve expanded our capabilities to include large-scale additions, complete home remodels, and ground-up new construction projects. Now, 25 years later, this expertise is highly sought after by a growing customer base who want only the best leading their construction projects.”

This is how Advanced Construction has grown from a small team to become a network of over 40 skilled contractors and administrators, more than 60 trusted subcontractors, and more than 4,700 satisfied customers in Southeastern Connecticut and across the United States. Licensed in four states, there is no limit to where this company will go to bring value to its customers.

While Preka and his team got their start in residential renovations and remodeling, their attention to detail, strong communication style, and meticulous craftsmanship earned Advanced Construction a reputation as a partner of choice for projects of varying complexity. Now, as experts in full-scale new construction, large commercial projects, and transformative remodeling ventures—including historic preservation and restoration and projects to improve resilience against the harsh New England climate—Advanced Construction has the knowledge and capacity to bring commercial and residential projects to life.

A one-stop shop
The team’s expertise runs the gamut from coastal and historical projects to commercial projects and site work, modular homes and buildings, a plethora of residential services including additions and garages, kitchens and baths, outdoor living, roofing and siding, windows and doors, and complete, end-to-end design to build services.

Part of Advanced Construction’s success is its ability to offer a la carte service that identifies the unique characteristics of each property and project to develop a specialized solution for its clients. “A one-stop shop is what people really do look for,” says Preka. “You have to deliver on that diversity. We bring a ton of knowledge to any project and oftentimes we don’t just show up for a job; we show up with knowledge and give people an education as to what they’re looking for.”

This education has not just been to the advantage of its customers, but also to the Advanced Construction team. When asked what sets the company apart from competitors in the market, Preka tells us, “Learn from your failure. Customer service goes a long way and the biggest thing in our line of work is that we need to understand our clients and we need to provide our clients with realistic timeframes and the service and quality they are dreaming about—or at least as close as anybody could possibly do.” He credits the Advanced Construction team with making this a reality time and again.

With these principles in mind, relationships are one of the most important things that Advanced Construction builds. Preka and his team appreciate the unique character of the projects they undertake, but even more so, the people they meet along the way. It is always a challenge to pick a favorite project, especially with 25 years of examples to choose from, but the people make projects truly unforgettable.

For Preka, “I don’t normally focus on the project as much as I focus on the people—the clients, the atmosphere around them, the time [we spend] with them. It makes any project go so fast, so well, so enjoyably.”

Curating quality and building community
Building relationships is not only important from a customer service perspective, but also from a talent acquisition and development standpoint, which is another area in which Advanced Construction thrives. To reinforce a culture of quality, safety, and service, hiring is done very intentionally, with careful attention paid to the person, their skills, as well as the personality and the energy they bring to the team.

“I just feel blessed with the team that we have,” says Preka, once again praising the people who drive value for his customers day in and day out and reinforce the reputation the company has come to earn. “At the end of the day, it’s about a good relationship, a good marriage, a good family dinner table, a good understanding in the good days and the bad days,” which goes a long way to creating a culture of understanding and the drive to push forward to meet and exceed expectations.

Through the work that it does, Advanced Construction is both literally and figuratively building community. In addition to the craftsmanship the company brings to its projects, it has also become a philanthropic champion in the communities it calls home. From early on, Preka felt blessed with an opportunity and used that ability to do good; like the old adage goes, ‘when you are blessed, be a blessing,’ which is exactly what he has done through Advanced Construction.

From financial contributions to in-kind donations, as well as serving as Past President and Chair of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association in Connecticut—a trade organization that represents the residential construction industry in the state—and now as the state representative for the organization, there are countless ways that Preka and Advanced Construction give back to their community.

To 25 more
With 25 years behind it, Advanced Construction has evolved with the ebbs and flows of the market and as the market is returning to strength in the post-pandemic period, the company is poised to take advantage of growth in demand.

“A lot of things have changed in the past 24 months,” Preka shares. “We had a hard time locking in trades, let alone employees. That was nearly impossible [for a time], but nowadays I think that the dust has settled a little bit and homeowners have choices. Now we’re dealing with the better and the best, so the competition is legit competition in that sense,” he adds, which is a “big factor at this point that makes us very strong in our market.”

The goal is to leverage this market position to continue to grow not only the company, but also its ability to effect positive change in the community, which remains top of mind for Preka and his team.

“It’s one of the biggest things, from the first day that I started this business,” he says. “I would like to be known not just as someone that has been there for the community, not just someone that has been there for the people in need, but as a real builder, a real supporter. So, what I’m looking forward to is to expand the team, expand the company larger than we are so more people can benefit from our craftsmanship and our customer service,” he says, with the goal of maximizing both the potential of the company and its ability to give back to the community for many years to come.

The post Where Quality is Built<p class="company">Advanced Construction</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

While real estate markets adapt to the concept of modular homes as a beneficial and beautiful solution to the housing crisis, buyers are learning that modern modular units offer far more than their spartan prefabricated predecessors. Ritz-Craft delivers tremendous value and modern style across 25 states from the Northeast to the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and South on a level rarely seen in this trade. Working solely in timber, its buildings typically range from 15,000 square feet to 150,000 square feet.

Now, as one of the country’s largest in its field, this family business is gearing up to cover ever greater distances for its customers.

Ritz-Craft Corporation and Ritz Craft Commercial (RC²) are both members of the John Brothers Holdings LLC family, a large group of vertically integrated companies that work in tandem to provide a total project delivery model. Marked by a distinct talent for collaboration, this team works closely with project owners, engineers, and architects to deliver comprehensive services in off-site single and multi-family homes. It also builds low-cost military housing, assisted living, senior housing, motels, and hotels for companies like Holiday Inn Express and others.

Of these building types, multi-family is the firm’s fastest-growing sector. “We are a construction service, not a product. So we will build whatever is designed and complete whatever your vision is,” says Ray Cudwadie, President of RC². Cudwadie has been in the modular construction industry for over 40 years, and he takes a down-to-earth, humble approach to business and to leadership.

Starting its journey as a trailer fabricator in 1954, John Brothers Holdings is now owned by the sons of one of the founders, Paul and Eric John, who have been joined in the business by the third generation. “Our success is solely reliant upon Eric and Paul John and their vision, what they built up here,” says Cudwadie. “They give us the reins and say, ‘Go do it.’”

As a result of this commitment to excellence, the company always has exciting projects underway. One of these, for a longstanding client, is a multi-building apartment complex, The Loop in Traverse City, Michigan. Loop 1, a small 3-story apartment, was recently completed and will be followed by Loops 2 and 3, which are 5-story podium builds (4 over 1). Fabricated partially in Pennsylvania and Michigan, the final product will be delivered to Traverse City, complete and ready for installation. These will be followed by further construction at Loops 4 and 5, starting in the first quarter of 2026.

One of the greatest advantages of using RC² means and methods in this region of northern Michigan is the speed of delivery, which is vastly improved by the fact that off-site construction is unhampered by extreme weather conditions and harsh winters.

The company is especially proud of the work it is doing for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families and builds specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. RC² is currently completing a project for the foundation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “I’m very honored to be doing a mission-based project. It’s not just putting the pieces together; we’re helping to eradicate [veteran homelessness] in the United States,” Cudwadie says. “We’re very honored to be associated with them. We look forward to getting our first project completed and then hopefully we’ll do others as we move forward.”

Ritz-Craft’s multi-family work is also driven by the desire to provide much-needed workforce housing. “Workforce housing is a huge need across the country and a staple for industry in the United States. It’s great that we can provide a sound quality and effective product to address workforce housing needs across the country,” says Michael Bussiere II, Vice President of Business Development.

Even with such high demand, the company’s seamless, integrated processes allow it to execute large projects across its entire footprint. “Ray is process-driven, very structured in helping enable success but with flexibility to tailor our systems to customer needs,” Bussiere continues.

One of the team’s most rewarding recent projects on Martha’s Vineyard came about when Columbia Construction approached RC² to supply affordable housing for healthcare staff, as accommodations and daily ferry commutes in the Cape Cod area have become prohibitively expensive for those on regular salaries. To solve the challenge, Columbia Construction collaborated with RC² to manufacture, deliver, and install 106 modular units comprising 48 beautiful living units. Fabricated in Pennsylvania, shipped by land and then sea to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, these homes now let this famous hospital provide quality housing to much-appreciated staff at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, strengthening the local healthcare landscape in the process.

A similar workforce housing project saw the company deliver outstanding quality housing for employees near Vail, Colorado, where the flourishing local skiing industry has created a demand for more workforce accommodation. Another two such projects in New Hampshire introduced workforce housing combined with low-income/subsidized housing in the area.

Being discerning and realistic about the business’s capabilities is crucial for its sustained growth. While it is extremely rare for the company to turn anyone away, determining at the outset whether a customer is a fit is an important part of the process. “We solely focus on what is best for the project,” Cudwadie says. “We know how to be innovative in the way we apply our products and services, so we sit down with and listen to our clients to determine what the best fit is for them,” he adds. And to ensure that its staff are always up to speed with the latest developments in the field, Cudwadie has introduced a successful lunch-and-learn program that supports continuing education and skills development while also educating customers on its capabilities.

Rounding out the vertical integration for the John Brothers Holdings (JBH) portfolio, Legacy Building Products in Mifflinburg provides the group and others in the industry with wholesale building materials, while the group’s transportation is handled by Ritz-Trans. This oversized trucking outfit takes care of all preconstructed building deliveries. Legacy Crafted Cabinets, a sophisticated automation-based fabricator, supplies semi-custom cabinets from its facility in central Pennsylvania. There are also two custom builder retail centers responsible for product distribution and installation—one in Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania and another in Hudson, New York.

The JBH group even offers a full client experience, while Rusty Rail Brewing Company is landmark of hospitality, complete with a restaurant, brewery, events facilities, and boutique hotel suites whose visitors include existing and prospective customers and locals alike.

Having built RC²’s success on a solid base of strategic growth and a repeatable business model, the company has more than quadrupled its revenue over the past four years, now earning around $20 million to $25 million annually. As the family of companies navigates current building trends with the aim of long-term expansion and doubling revenue, it is always finding new ways to improve its offering through technology, improving capacity, and investing in more resources.

Bussiere sums up the market perfectly: “I see so much opportunity out there—specifically in this market,” he says. “That’s why educating folks on what it is we do is important.” As one customer pointed out—and Cudwadie agrees—doing ‘big business the small way’ and welcoming increasing numbers of new customers ultimately means growing the family.

The post Doing Big Business the Small Way<p class="company">Ritz-Craft Corporation</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

As a result of this tenacity, the company has established a reputation for excellence and innovation across the United States and Canada, serving schools, correctional facilities, workforce housing, medical facilities, and more. Collaborating with top modular fabricators, Lochsa Engineering knows how to deliver superior service, something the founders have cultivated since the early days.

Lochsa Engineering started out in a garage with a couple of young engineers and a few good ideas. Now-retired President Mark Hedge, a civil engineer, founded Lochsa in Las Vegas in 1995 alongside his business partner, the late Jess Haldeman, a structural engineer. Together, the two newly qualified professionals set out to make their mark on the Las Vegas skyline.

Landing their first contract for work on a notable casino project complete with a tower, the duo built the company into a powerhouse employing approximately 175 staff members in the Las Vegas office alone. “[Our founders were] great visionaries. Mark’s still a mentor to me,” says Riley Mahaffey, P.E., Principal in charge of Marketing and Business Development. Today, the Las Vegas branch continues to offer a full spectrum of civil engineering services, including flood control and civil land development with teams of structural engineers, transportation engineers, and survey crews.

With help from the Las Vegas office in 2003, Mahaffey established the Idaho office, eventually becoming partners with Jared Keller, S.E./P.E., who is the current President of Lochsa. This office focuses on nationwide structural engineering, building information modeling (BIM), and virtual design coordination (VDC). “It’s been a great collaboration. In 2020, we were acquired by an investment group,” Mahaffey says of the company’s current position within the larger group of companies belonging to Fremont Wright Collaborative, which holds around 10 firms and over 600 staff members.

One of its senior members leading modular engineering at the firm, David Butler, P.E., a professional engineer and senior structural project manager, joined the company in March 2020. It was not long into his tenure that Butler discovered that what he had thought of as perhaps an overly diverse field of experience had, in reality, acted as the perfect preparation for his position at Lochsa Engineering.

Starting his career in utilitarian structures, he moved to automotive manufacturing facility improvement, followed by a stretch designing 45-foot RVs. This was followed by a structural engineering position in manufacturing. “All of these things that I learned, without even realizing, set me up to take on volumetric modular work specifically,” he says of what can be a challenging field.

In all its work, Lochsa Engineering aims to exceed expectations and to make its employees and customers alike feel valued, supported, and respected. “We want every employee and every client to know that they’re valued here,” says Mahaffey. “There’s value to what you bring.” The company’s commitment to its people includes providing continuing education. “We support people who want to further their careers, further their degrees if they want, or further their training.”

The company is also an early adopter of technology, a habit that stood the team in good stead when 3D modeling was first introduced around 2008. Around that time, Lochsa landed a contract for work on the CityCenter project for MGM Mirage Group, a prominent building of complex design which, in Mahaffey’s opinion, would not have been achievable without the right technology. “We knew 3D modeling was not going to fade; it was going to grow from there. So we embraced it.”

The team has extensive experience in working with a range of materials, including wood, post-tension concrete, and steel—especially light-gauge framing, also known as cold-formed steel. “[Cold-formed steel is a material that there are] no classes for in college; you just have to learn it,” Mahaffey continues, adding that, as a result, Lochsa Engineering has established itself as a well-known technical representative for the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association and its outstanding technical manuals on the subject.

Moreover, Lochsa won the respect of many in the industry when, instead of stacking studs in situ in the field, its engineers came up with what they call “panelizing,” a safe method of doing façade studding in batches on the ground, after which each unit is lifted or “flown” into place. As these panels are installed quickly, the protocol became popular, especially in casino construction, where design and engineering typically continue as the building goes up in a process known as deferred submittal. Here, a design is not yet finalized at the time that the initial building permit is granted but rather submitted later to enable project owners to operate while construction continues in phases.

As the Lochsa panelizing method became popular, the team has taken it across the United States with immense success. And, as panelizing lends itself so well to volumetric modular construction, where entire units are manufactured in a factory and shipped for installation on site, the company’s evolution and the method’s adoption were quite organic. Following this initial introduction period, the cold-formed steel panelizing method showed up in factory settings in regions like Canada, where extreme winters made working outside especially tough. Butler and his teams still collaborate with factories across North America, building everything from generator housing to entire hotels, attainable housing, student housing, and more.

The modular fabrication process doesn’t just allow for better working conditions in temperature-controlled facilities, however; it also makes for a reduction in material waste. Standardization, and therefore precision, are also easier to achieve due to better operational conditions. As a result, this method allows hotels to have rooms built complete with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components installed, stocked with all necessary furniture, soft furnishings, and amenities, shipped to the construction site, installed, and opened up by hotel staff for preparation without a single builder entering the room after the unit is sealed in the factory. Another incredible plus is vastly improved worker safety, as a comparatively minimal number of people work at heights during installation.

These units also make for fantastic low-cost housing in expensive hospitality hubs, as illustrated during a project in Colorado. Here, staff had to drive quite far to get to work as local living costs were prohibitively high. Thanks to Lochsa’s modular engineering, the situation is being remedied in a creative way that provides decent housing for hardworking folks to call home.

In a different vein, Lochsa Engineering has also completed beautiful luxury modular engineering in Mammoth Lakes, in California’s Sierra Nevada range, illustrating the sector’s versatility. From dorm construction in Rhode Island to a hotel in Maine and housing in Philadelphia, the team is always working on something fresh and challenging.

“What’s interesting is, as a structural engineer, we don’t think about being manufacturers. We design buildings and bridges, but getting into this level of manufacturing makes volumetric construction interesting,” Butler says on the trend of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) that has taken structural engineering by storm.

When it comes to team building, the company is equally adaptable. Its leadership understands that there is an inevitable period wherein people need to be allowed space and time to settle into a group dynamic as they figure one another out before reaching peak performance. That performance allows the team to build long-lasting relationships with customers who end up returning time and again as the service and quality they receive keep calling them back.

These relationships are invaluable. As Butler, who presented at World of Modular in Las Vegas earlier this year, says, “Projects don’t always come from socializing with prospective customers and colleagues at conferences. But relationships do, and reputations do.” In this way, Lochsa Engineering cultivates an environment that is as healthy as it is progressive. In a high-stakes industry where everyone works under pressure, Lochsa Engineering provides a supportive place to work, rich in opportunities to innovate and explore the industry. Employees also have a voice in how they choose to develop the firm’s culture through a dedicated culture committee.

In a company with such a reputation for reliability, where people are encouraged to do what they love best, there is no shortage of passion for every project the team takes on. And that, perhaps—even beyond its outstanding engineering capabilities—is what makes Lochsa Engineering much more than just another industry partner.

This warm hospitality is serving Lochsa Engineering well, as its first intern has now taken up a formal position with the company as an off-site student contributor. With its sights set on growing its capabilities and output, growing the entire modular sector to represent a more significant percentage of the construction industry is another priority for the firm.

“What I’m really pushing for in the industry is more clarity and acceptance from code writers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)—building departments and the like recognizing that off-site construction is beneficial and that it works,” Butler says. “There’s still a lot of code verbiage that doesn’t address modular construction and some of the things that we have to do,” he explains. Working hard to demystify the discipline and its methods, the Lochsa Engineering team continues making historic strides in modular manufacturing.

The post Modernizing Modular Engineering<p class="company">Lochsa Engineering</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

The Valgardson family’s connection to housing goes back generations, beginning in the aftermath of World War II. Kam Valgardson, President of Irontown Modular, shares a story that sounds almost cinematic. When his grandfather returned from the war, he started driving trucks for a local excavation company. The twist? The business owner had a daughter, who would later become Kam’s grandmother. When things got serious, her father stepped in. “You’re not going to be a truck driver your whole life,” he told Kam’s grandfather. Instead, he helped set him up in the house-moving business.

Armed with dollies, jacks, and beams, the family began moving entire homes off their foundations to make way for highways, shopping centers, and new developments. It was grueling work, but it introduced them to a fascinating discovery: modular homes, which were far easier to move than traditional brick structures. Kam noted that moving prefabricated homes required less labor, imposed less risk of damage, and allowed for far more flexibility than traditional construction, which sparked a long-term interest in modular methods.

By the mid-1980s, Kam’s father, Richard Valgardson, pivoted into modular construction full time. What began as Valgardson Housing Systems evolved over the decades into Irontown Modular, a name now synonymous with high-quality, effective, innovative offsite building.

In its early years, the company focused on small homes for rural families, farmers, and mining communities. Over time, demand shifted, and so did Irontown’s capabilities.

“We’ve gone all the way up to high-end custom homes that are multi-million-dollar builds in resort areas like Beverly Hills, Big Sky, Aspen, and Telluride,” Valgardson explains. “Now, we’ve settled into a niche doing higher-end modular construction across several channels.”

That flexibility has been a key to survival in a notoriously volatile industry. Irontown Modular now operates in four areas: multifamily, single-family, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and park model glamping. When one market slows down, say, ADUs during periods of high interest rates, another often picks up the slack. This diversification is strategic; by keeping multiple revenue streams active, Irontown ensures continuity and growth, regardless of market fluctuations.

“This multi-channel approach allows us to innovate within one segment while keeping the rest of the company steady,” Marketing Specialist Ashley Peabody adds. “It’s about smart risk management and staying nimble without losing focus on quality.”

One of the company’s biggest turning points came around 2013–2014, when Kam’s father sold the business and new ownership stepped in. The team made the strategic decision to shift from fully custom builds to a catalog-based product line.

This change streamlined operations and made modular homes more accessible and scalable. While Irontown still takes on custom projects, it does so selectively, focusing on repeatable designs or large-scale developments. This pivot meant that the company could standardize certain processes, improve costs, and reduce lead times, all while maintaining the high-end finishes and customization clients expect.

The result is a more viable business model that balances efficiency with creativity. Valgardson emphasizes that, “By moving to a productized model, we can offer more predictable delivery timelines, consistent quality, and a broader range of designs, while still keeping the door open for bespoke projects that make sense.”

Among the many projects Irontown Modular has tackled, one stands out for its community impact: The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City. This nonprofit is dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives after homelessness, addiction, or incarceration. Through education, job training, and supportive businesses, participants are given the chance to re-enter society as productive members. When The Other Side decided to create a new ‘Prep Academy’ and supportive housing village, they turned to Irontown Modular.

“We were excited to be able to participate in the improvement of these lives,” Valgardson says. “We’re not just building apartments; we’re building hope, funded by donations, churches, and community partners who believe in change.”

The project includes a 32-unit apartment building designed to foster socialization and community living. Even more historic, it marks the first modular apartment complex in Utah. Pointing out the significance, Peabody tells us, “It’s a huge deal for Utah. Modular is breaking ground here, both literally and figuratively.”

Valgardson explains that the project required careful planning to ensure that the units were not only durable and well laid out but also thoughtfully designed for communal living. “We think about these projects holistically,” he says. “Every detail, from how people will interact in shared spaces to how sustainable the construction materials are, is considered.”

In today’s world, any conversation about construction eventually turns to sustainability. This and energy efficiency are now baked into the process, thanks to updates in building codes, particularly in California where 90 percent of Irontown’s work is located. However, modular building offers even more advantages. Unlike traditional job sites, where leftover materials often end up in dumpsters, a factory environment allows for maximum reuse and minimal waste. Offcuts are repurposed, packing materials get a second life, and nothing goes to waste unless it truly can’t be used.

“Resources are expensive, and waste is a burden on our economy,” Valgardson says. “Modular is the solution. It’s not just efficient; it’s responsible.”

He adds that modular construction also allows for higher quality control, reducing defects and extending the lifespan of each unit. “Every wall, every floor, every fixture is inspected under controlled conditions before it even leaves our factory. That’s hard to achieve on a traditional site.”

Despite its advantages, modular construction has long been called the ‘future of building,’ with skeptics asking when that will finally arrive. Valgardson sees two major hurdles: transportation and mindset. Modules must be sized to fit down highways and be lifted by cranes, limiting how much can be built in one piece. But the bigger challenge may be the industry itself. “Construction is one of the least modernized industries,” he says. “Methods haven’t changed much in decades, and people are reluctant to try something new because building is already so expensive. Taking risks feels dangerous.”

Yet Irontown Modular persists, using each challenge as an opportunity for inspired solutions. From designing units that can withstand long-distance transport to collaborating with local authorities for logistics, the company has found ways to overcome traditional constraints.

While the team does not rush headlong into every trend, it does embrace technology where it counts. Software platforms help track sales, project management, and customer care. AI is being used in marketing and explored in operations. With labor shortages looming, Valgardson sees potential in robotics down the road, if costs become feasible.

In the meantime, innovation also shows up in new product ideas like the company’s modular wellness unit. Earlier this year, Irontown expanded its offerings with the launch of the Sweaty Yeti, a modular sauna and cold plunge unit designed to bring luxury wellness experiences right into homeowners’ backyards. Built with the same high standards and craftsmanship as the company’s large-scale projects, the unit is versatile enough to also serve as a fitness room or private studio, making it a seamless extension of modern living.

The idea for the name came about in a unique, modern way. During a brainstorming session, Valgardson’s daughter suggested using ChatGPT to generate ideas. One of the options that emerged was Sweaty Yeti. Initially, the team was skeptical, but the name stuck and now has become a talking point in its own right.

Beyond the playful branding, the Sweaty Yeti embodies Irontown Modular’s approach to innovation: thoughtful, creative, and aligned with lifestyle trends. Peabody emphasizes that the product allows the company to maintain engagement and productivity in slower periods while offering clients a high-quality, personalized wellness solution.

From multifamily housing in McCall, Idaho, to an RV resort in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and even cabins for a youth camp in Malibu rebuilding after wildfire, Irontown’s pipeline is as diverse as it is inspiring. At its core, Irontown Modular is about more than structures; it is about stories—the story of a family that built a legacy from house-moving equipment. The story of clients who trust the company with their life savings. The story of communities, like The Other Side Academy, that are stronger because of what Irontown Modular helps create.

What ties it all together is resilience. “We’ve been around for 40 years, because we’re survivors,” says Valgardson. “Our plan is to be here another 40.” With a mix of tradition, adaptability, and heart, it seems like a safe bet.

As modular construction continues to evolve, Irontown Modular stands as proof that the future is being built one considerate, sustainable, and sometimes even Sweaty Yeti-sized step at a time.

The post Modular with a Mission to Reshape the Future of Construction<p class="company">Irontown Modular </p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“Jim is 100 percent right, and it goes back to him as well,” agrees John Buongiorno, Vice President, Modular Division at Axis Construction. “We’ve known each other forever as businesspeople in the same industry; we have a very strong personal friendship, and without him and his company, we wouldn’t be able to do the complicated medical buildings we do in this industry.”

Established in 1993, Axis Construction Corporation has proven its ability to create and effectively complete projects for more than two decades with a concentration in the hospital and healthcare sectors and experience in commercial, industrial, and educational building. For its part, MODLOGIQ, spearheading a new wave of innovation in off-site modular construction and a “Build Together” approach to off-site manufacturing, produces intricate, beautiful, long-lasting modular constructions far beyond simple assembly-line techniques.

Together, the two companies are currently working on the second emergency room addition for Beth Israel Health System in the Boston area, with delivery planned for around November of this year and completion scheduled for March or April of next year.

Facing challenges head-on
Despite the valuable and productive relationship that keeps these companies progressing smoothly, labor shortages and wage legislation remain ongoing challenges across the industry, ones that affect modular building in particular. At the moment, factories like Gabriel’s are able to hire people to do non-union work at a non-prevailing rate, helping to keep costs down, which is a key benefit to modular construction. However, various states are trying to bring prevailing rates into the manufacturing facility, says Buongiorno. Prevailing wage rules apply to public projects and, when they exist, establish a minimum wage that must be provided to the majority of workers. If passed, when orders are placed with MODLOGIQ, Gabriel will have to introduce paying the given state’s prevailing rate into his plans.

“But there’s also a tremendous shortage in the overall construction industry of skilled labor, whether it be electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, or painters,” adds Buongiorno.

Both gentlemen have numerous years of experience in the industry, and both are seeing a serious lack of industry expertise at the moment, particularly when it comes to working with larger, modular building projects, Buongiorno tells us. “There’s just nobody really growing up in the industry anymore, because it has changed to where it’s really become almost two separate industries.”

The first of these is the relocatable, temporary buildings, office trailers, and fleet-type buildings that come in and out of lease, which is certainly a huge part of the industry. The second is the PMC model—permanent modular construction—which both Buongiorno and Gabriel are involved in. In that sector, there simply aren’t enough tradespeople who are coming up through the industry and learning all its nuances: working for a fleet; leasing and renting classroom trailers, office trailers, and smaller buildings; and getting those delivered.

“There are just not a lot of people coming into construction at all,” Buongiorno adds. “Not just trades, but project managers, construction management, and superintendents. We have a very, very difficult time finding good candidates.”

Other issues within the industry include financial constraints, with modular’s accelerated construction meaning both accelerated schedules and accelerated payments as well. “While Jim is building down at the site and needs to be paid, we’re doing the foundation work, which also needs to be paid for,” says Buongiorno. “So the client and the lender need to understand how that cash flow model is completely different than the traditional one.”

Modular construction must also—still—face down perceptions of lesser quality, with some clients not convinced that the buildings are strong and of high quality. “Jim and I can sit there all day and prove to you that they actually are more robust buildings than conventional buildings because they have to be shipped thousands of miles and not fall apart,” says Buongiorno.

Advocating for an industry
While this perception is changing, the process has been slow. Now considered a progressive method of construction, initially modular was only meant to be a temporary solution, and a perception of lesser quality—one that these companies are trying to repair—was thus born.

The industry continues to make progress here, with both the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) and the MBI (Modular Building Institute) working to improve the perception of modular and broaden its reach. To this end, there has been some global expansion into Europe—an important part of demonstrating the viability of the industry—along with MAP, the Modular Advocacy Program, which encompasses aspects including protecting, defending, addressing, and advocating.

“Jim’s MAP program generates the funds needed to educate, promote, and in some cases even hire lobbyists to help us with some of these causes, whether to change code or adopt new codes,” adds Buongiorno. “Jim was instrumental in really pushing that program and getting the awareness there.”

“We are hyper-focused on telling the story of not just what the Modular Building Institute is, but what modular does and what its constituent members do for communities in distress in terms of recovery, relief, and rebuilding,” says Gabriel.

In a key success story, MODLOGIQ recently completed the Athens Medical Campus in Athens, Ohio, the largest permanent healthcare facility ever built using off-site modular construction in North America, a 100,000-square-foot complete standalone structure that MODLOGIQ produced and assisted in the design of, an example of exceptional quality modular construction.

A model for growth
Looking to the years ahead, both companies are aiming to not only grow their businesses but to support and strengthen the entire industry as well. “We want to move from the manufacturing of things toward the assembly of projects,” says Buongiorno. “That starts with design and a kit-of-parts strategy that allows us to be able to speed up design and then speed up the assembly of projects.”

This means creating a model that lifts all boats, as it were. It isn’t enough that a given company is able to increase its capacity and skill set; it is important to reduce the total cost of setting up new factories, period, and to geographically locate facilities in areas in need of accelerated building, such as those that have been devastated by natural disasters. The ability to move the assembly process to a near-site location doesn’t just help grow business; it recognizes how to appropriately scale the industry and how to bring more capacity online to provide greater value to communities in need.

Built on trust
All of the growth and the ingenuity that underpins these two companies has been made possible by the solid relationship that John Buongiorno and Jim Gabriel have built over the years. “In the construction world there are inherent conflicts in every step along the process, from design to final completion and commission,” Gabriel says. “What breaks down those barriers is trust. What facilitates that level of trust is, in my view, friendship and common goals.”

Buongiorno and Gabriel’s relationship is unique in terms of who they are and what’s important to them, starting with trust, leading to a shared give and take, and resulting in a successful project. “John and I have been in the industry for 30-plus years, and it’s been a long, winding path,” says Gabriel. “We want to succeed because of what it means for us as friends and as people who have worked together for a long time, and we really want that to be a repeatable model.”

Buongiorno agrees. “If it wasn’t for Jim and his firm having the willingness to push the envelope and continually having us push them to do more and more in the factory, it would just be like everybody else,” he says. “That’s what sets us apart. Integrity is paramount. Do what you say you’re going to do, whether it’s in a contract or not.”

Both companies strive to maintain a very high level of reliability, he adds, not just with each other, but with their firms and their board positions at the Modular Building Institute. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have tough conversations—we do—but you can have those tough conversations with the level of trust and respect that we have for each other, not just personally, but as organizations,” Buongiorno says.

It’s not always easy, but it’s all in an effort to continue down that path of success. “There are very few, if any, other companies that do buildings the way we do it together, and that’s special.”

The post Trust, Integrity, Value: Constructing a Perfect Partnership for Success<p class="company">Axis Construction/MODLOGIQ</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

“We have the freedom to experiment with different types of housing and concepts, without having to answer to someone questioning our every move,” he explains.

By funding the business with personal capital and carrying no debt, Bourque and his partners, General Contractor Ricky Martins and Plumbing Contractor Paulos DeMorais, use their combined 90 years of experience to explore unconventional approaches without the pressure of external investors. This independence allows the company to focus on efficiency, quality, and social impact while remaining agile and responsive to new opportunities.

“We view this as a family business, with our sons and daughters growing into the business to provide the next generation of leadership,” says Bourque. “With our kids either in college studying engineering or in the trades, we are able to allow them to grow in their respective fields while contributing to the strength of the company. We are looking to have them bring a fresh perspective and energy to the firm, helping expand operations and explore future growth. Bourque reflects, “We want to create something enduring, something that contributes to both society and the future of construction.”

Integrity Modular is a turnkey design and construction firm managing every aspect of the project lifecycle. From design and permitting to construction and installation, the company delivers fully finished units, including appliances, fixtures, and interiors. “As the architect running these projects, I have incredible control over the schedule,” Bourque notes. This integrated approach ensures timelines are predictable, costs are controlled, and quality is consistently high.

The company employs in-house tradespeople, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and fire protection specialists. This vertical integration eliminates dependency on external labor, which is critical given the aging trades workforce in the United States. According to Bourque, “The average electrician is 58 years old, the average plumber is 59. Without our in-house team, projects would face major delays.”

Having all trades under one roof allows the company to maintain disciplined scheduling, unaffected by weather or subcontractor availability. “If a traditional construction crew is delayed by rain, it can take weeks to recover. We don’t have that problem,” Bourque explains. This ability to control every aspect of production contributes directly to the company’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

A key differentiator for Integrity Modular is its focus on prefabrication, which reduces inefficiencies in traditional construction. Every module is constructed in the factory, overbuilt slightly for transport, and fully finished with interiors and appliances. “It takes us three days to construct a two-bedroom apartment from piles of wood to a finished product,” Bourque shares. The second unit is then completed on a staggered schedule, essentially creating an assembly-line process that maximizes speed and consistency.

The process is highly engineered. Exterior elements, window trims, corner columns, and parapets are preassembled, allowing rapid on-site assembly. This approach drastically reduces construction timelines, from 18 months for conventional projects to as little as five months for modular buildings. For investors, this accelerated timeline means faster returns and lower financing costs. Bourque adds, “We dissect every inefficiency in the construction process and turn it into an assembly process. It’s about maximizing efficiency, not cutting corners.”

Additionally, this modular system allows for scalability across multiple projects. Because each unit is built with the same rigorous standards and tracked via a unique serial number, Integrity Modular can replicate successful designs efficiently across multiple locations, ensuring quality and consistency while reducing project risk. This approach positions the firm to respond quickly to market demand, whether for affordable housing, senior living communities, or seasonal workforce housing.

While profitability and efficiency are important, Integrity Modular is equally committed to social responsibility, and up to 25 percent of the company’s business is dedicated to working with nonprofits and affordable housing initiatives. One notable project is the Seeds of Hope program in Worcester, designed to provide ADA-accessible housing for at-risk seniors with integrated support services.

“We’re not just dropping units on a lot; we’re wrapping services around them to ensure residents succeed,” Bourque emphasizes. These projects are intended as prototype models for Massachusetts, demonstrating that modular housing can be affordable, efficient, and supportive of vulnerable populations.

The company also experiments with tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which address both urban density and seasonal workforce housing needs. ADUs, or “granny flats,” can be installed on underutilized property and provide affordable, high-quality housing options for seniors, seasonal workers, or low-income residents. Bourque explains, “We can reduce costs, maintain quality, and provide communities with solutions that didn’t exist before we started.”

Integrity Modular is also tackling the seasonal housing crisis on the Cape and other East Coast locations. Many restaurants and businesses struggle to hire staff because housing is limited or prohibitively expensive. Bourque has developed an innovative approach: modular tiny homes that can be temporarily installed, connected to a shared utility manifold, and relocated after the season ends.

“This approach allows businesses to provide housing for their employees during peak season, and then those units can be repurposed in other communities,” Bourque explains. The solution reduces costs for municipalities and businesses while providing flexible housing for workers, a model that could be scaled to address seasonal housing shortages nationwide.

Bourque is also exploring ways to optimize utilities and infrastructure, reducing overall costs by designing modular homes that can share systems like water and electricity. By thinking creatively about these efficiencies, Integrity Modular demonstrates how innovation can meet the practical challenges faced by many towns and businesses.

Sustainability is another critical component of Integrity Modular’s approach. By constructing most components in the factory, the company produces less than 1 percent waste, compared to the 15 to 20 percent typical of traditional construction sites. Prefabrication reduces material waste, minimizes site disruption, and supports environmental stewardship.

The company is also moving toward passive building standards, incorporating advanced insulation, sealants, and energy-efficient construction principles. “We’re achieving sustainability by design. As energy codes evolve, we’ll already be ahead of the curve,” Bourque notes. By embedding efficiency and environmental responsibility into the core of the business, Integrity Modular is proving that modular construction can be both profitable and environmentally conscious.

This sustainability extends beyond environmental factors to social impact, as the company prioritizes partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions to deliver solutions that serve communities effectively and inclusively. Education and knowledge-sharing are key priorities for the firm, and Bourque regularly hosts students, nonprofit representatives, and local officials to showcase modular construction processes. From factory tours to on-site assembly demonstrations, visitors gain firsthand insight into the advantages of modular housing.

“The next generation will inherit the housing challenges we face today,” Bourque emphasizes. “If they understand modular construction and the efficiencies it brings, they can apply that knowledge to future projects.” The company works closely with architecture students and universities such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute to provide real-world learning experiences, from factory workflow to site installation. By fostering this knowledge-sharing, Integrity Modular is ensuring that the next generation of architects, engineers, and builders can continue to innovate, improve efficiency, and create socially responsible housing solutions.

Integrity Modular is establishing itself as a pioneer in Massachusetts and beyond. Bourque recounts meetings with the Secretary of Housing and local banks: “We figured out financing for modular projects ourselves, while others were just starting to explore it,” he shares. This leadership and willingness to innovate has earned the company recognition from policymakers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders alike.

The firm’s success with early projects, including 30-unit buildings and multiple ADU installations in progress, demonstrates both the scalability and versatility of modular construction. Bourque explains, “Once a client experiences the efficiency and quality of modular, they rarely go back to stick-built construction. It’s a vote of confidence in the process.”

Looking ahead, he envisions a future where modular construction is a mainstream solution for a variety of housing needs: affordable housing, workforce housing, senior living, and small urban units. By combining operational discipline, technical innovation, and social responsibility, Integrity Modular is proving that modular housing is not just a construction method; it is a strategic solution capable of reshaping the housing industry.

“Our goal is to create a framework that can be replicated, scaled, and adapted by others,” Bourque says. “We’re showing that modular can be better, faster, and more socially impactful than traditional construction, and that’s a model we want to see grow.”

The post Affordable Housing Meets Innovation<p class="company">Integrity Modular Design and Construction</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.

At the heart of this transformation is President Cheryl Watt, who carries forward the legacy of her father, Sid Braaksma, a Dutch immigrant whose entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Northgate’s story. “My father emigrated from Holland in 1952 and was very entrepreneurial,” Watt recalls. “He started by renovating and servicing RV units, then began selling them. In 1970 he started the business in RV sale and service, then in 1973 he saw a need in the oil industry for modular structures, offices, and sleeping accommodations, and that’s where it all began.”

From that vision, Northgate Industries was born. What started as a small operation focused on recreational vehicles evolved into a dynamic modular construction business that would go on to serve energy, mining, forestry, housing, and commercial sectors across Canada and abroad.

The company’s early success came from recognizing opportunity where others saw limitations. As Alberta’s oil boom gained momentum, the demand for reliable workforce housing and site offices soared. Northgate met that need with modular structures that could be deployed quickly, withstand harsh conditions, and provide comfort in remote environments.

But even then, Sid Braaksma’s ambitions went beyond temporary structures. “He was always thinking ahead,” says Watt. “He moved from renovating to actually building the units himself, and that shift made all the difference.”

By the 1980s, Northgate had become one of Western Canada’s premier modular manufacturers. In 1987, the company acquired its largest manufacturing plant, on the south side of Edmonton, marking a turning point in its growth. Then came international expansion: in 1992, Northgate launched Kan-Bud, a sister company in Poland. By 1999, it had transformed a derelict World War II airplane hangar into a state-of-the-art, 213,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

“That hangar was built in 1942 but structurally it was solid,” Watt explains. “Renovating it into a modern facility was a monumental moment for us.”

In 2010, the company acquired its current 240,000-square-foot headquarters in Acheson, strategically located to support Alberta’s thriving industrial sector. Today, that facility remains the centre of operations, housing a growing team of over 120 employees and counting. “We’re on the uptick,” Watt says. “We currently have around 120 employees, about 85 of them tradespeople, and we’re expecting to add another 60 as a major project is hitting the line this November.”

Throughout its 55-year journey, Northgate Industries has expanded far beyond its origins. The company’s work now spans rental fleets, workforce housing, affordable housing, multi-family developments, and commercial buildings, including offices and schools. Its 500-unit rental fleet provides flexible job site solutions for remote industries, while the company’s permanent modular projects are reshaping urban communities.

A prime example is Northgate’s collaboration with the City of Edmonton, where the company delivered five permanent affordable housing complexes in record time. “We built those five apartments for the City of Edmonton within a year, and that was during COVID,” Watt says proudly. “I’ve seen similar projects take two years for a single building.”

That accomplishment underscores one of the major advantages of modular construction: speed. By manufacturing building sections in a controlled environment while foundations are prepared onsite, Northgate can complete projects considerably faster compared to traditional construction methods. “You can be between 30 and 50 percent faster than traditional builds,” Watt explains. “While the foundation is being prepared on site, we’re building the units in the factory.”

Despite the proven advantages, modular construction continues to face outdated perceptions, particularly the notion that modular buildings are “temporary” or “cheap.” Northgate has spent decades challenging that misconception. “When we were building apartments in Edmonton, people would walk by and see us putting up these ‘Lego boxes’ in a week. They didn’t realize the quality that goes into the final product,” Watt shares.

Once completed, the results are virtually indistinguishable from traditionally built structures. Northgate’s permanent modular buildings feature full drywall, modern interiors, and customizable finishes, from premium flooring to stone countertops. “You’d have no idea today that they’re modular. We collaborate with architects and engineers for high-quality finishes, flexible layouts, and modern exteriors.”

This collaboration has produced some truly stunning designs. Northgate’s projects often include brick façades, large glass windows, and energy-efficient systems, all blending seamlessly into existing neighbourhoods. Schools, multi-family apartments, and commercial offices built by Northgate demonstrate that modular can, and does, rival conventional construction in both form and function.

“Designing beautiful buildings” is no longer a dream in the modular world; it’s a daily reality. “Yes, modular can do that,” Watt says with a smile.

Beyond aesthetics, modular construction offers substantial cost savings and environmental benefits. Building in a controlled environment reduces waste, limits weather-related delays, and streamlines project timelines. The result is a more sustainable, predictable, and efficient building process. “There’s less material wastage because we’re not throwing scraps out on-site; we recycle and reuse what we can, and we also refurbish older units.”

And the company’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond materials; many of Northgate’s modular units have a second, and even third, life. Instead of being demolished, they’re renovated and repurposed, extending their lifespan by decades. “We’ve taken 15- or 20-year-old units and totally renovated them,” says Watt. “You can’t even tell they were built that long ago. That’s another 25-plus years of use without sending anything to a landfill.”

These efficiencies translate into significant cost savings for clients. With parallel site and factory work, projects require fewer labour hours and generate less downtime, while decisions made upfront reduce uncertainty, helping clients manage their budgets with greater precision. Once a design is finalized, modules are produced in repeatable, high-quality batches, much like an assembly line for architecture. “After we built the first five apartments, we had it down pat,” Watt tells us. “The more seamless both site and manufacturing are, the faster and more efficient the process becomes.”

Northgate’s team works closely with architects and engineers to deliver structures that don’t just serve a function but enhance communities. The company has built schools, rehabilitation centres, and forestry housing, all prioritizing comfort, energy efficiency, and design excellence. Indeed, modern modular design incorporates advanced insulation systems, LED lighting, and energy-efficient appliances, all aligning with Canada’s national housing strategy for sustainability and affordability.

Watt notes that government interest in modular construction has risen sharply in recent years, particularly as housing shortages worsen nationwide. “The mandate from the government and from Canada is clear: we don’t have enough housing for all the people living here. Modular is definitely part of the solution.”

In Edmonton, Northgate’s permanent modular apartments are already helping meet that demand. Built faster and at lower cost than comparable conventional projects, these developments demonstrate how modular housing can play a vital role in addressing Canada’s housing crisis.

While housing remains a primary focus, Northgate’s innovation extends into other sectors. The company’s forestry sleeper units, designed for mobility and durability, recently earned the Acheson Business Association’s Award for Innovative Building. These structures are mounted on wheels for easy transport, a design that combines practicality with comfort for workers in remote areas. “We were pretty innovative with how we built some of those sleepers,” Watt explains. “They’re designed for rapid deployment, and they’ve been a big success.”

To be sure, Northgate’s in-house expertise allows for creative problem-solving on complex builds, including large open spaces and multi-storey designs. “Building open spaces is always a challenge,” Watt shares. “How do you transport a two-floor-high reception area that’s completely open? But our factory team has the experience to figure it out.”

Indeed, the company’s reputation for excellence is recognized globally. As a longtime member of the Modular Building Institute (MBI), Northgate has received numerous awards for quality, innovation, and design. “We’ve got walls of awards from projects we’ve built over the years,” says Watt. “It’s something we’re very proud of.”

When Sid Braaksma passed away in 2019, Watt faced the difficult decision of whether to continue the family business. Her mother made the choice clear: the legacy had to live on. “My mom requested that I run the business to keep his legacy going,” she recalls. “It took a little time to find our footing after he passed, but now, four and a half years later, we’re thriving.”

That legacy of innovation, craftsmanship, and resilience continues to guide Northgate Industries today. The company’s foundation in family values, combined with a progressive approach to design and technology, has created a culture where people take pride in their work. Now, Northgate’s manufacturing facility in Acheson hums with energy while skilled team members work side-by-side to deliver solutions that serve communities across Canada. With major projects on the horizon and growing interest in modular housing, Watt says the future looks bright.

“We’re delivering smarter solutions that save time, reduce costs, serve remote areas, and meet the highest standards of quality and design,” she says. “That’s something my father would be proud of.”

As Canada faces unprecedented housing demands and labour shortages, modular construction offers a scalable path forward. It combines speed, efficiency, and sustainability, three elements essential for meeting modern building challenges.

Watt believes that the next phase of growth will come from education: helping the public and policymakers alike understand what modular really is. “Permanent modular isn’t a trailer,” she says. “It’s a high-quality, efficient, and beautiful way to build.”

That message is slowly but surely gaining traction. Northgate is set to present at the City of Edmonton Affordable Housing Symposium, helping further public understanding of modular’s potential in addressing housing needs. Meanwhile, Northgate’s team continues to innovate, exploring new materials and refining processes. With six decades of expertise and a renewed focus on sustainability, the company stands ready to meet the next generation of challenges head-on.

From Sid Braaksma’s modest RV repair business in 1970 to today’s award-winning modular manufacturer, Northgate Industries represents what is possible when craftsmanship, innovation, and purpose align. The company’s 55-year story is one of perseverance, evolution, and commitment to quality.

And as Cheryl Watt continues to steer the company into its next chapter, she does so with the same entrepreneurial spirit that defined her father’s legacy. “We’re proud to be one of the few remaining manufacturers in Edmonton,” she says. “After 55 years, our mission remains the same: to build smarter, better, and faster, while never compromising on quality.”

The post 55 Years of Modular Innovation<p class="company">Northgate Industries</p> appeared first on Construction In Focus.