A new “Cause and Effect Series” by Bill Murray I’ve been asked many times, “Why do some modular factories make it while others don’t?” There isn’t one single answer—there are patterns. Over the next few articles, I’m taking a closer look at some of the most common causes I’ve seen
Everyone loves numbers. They’re clear, comforting, and easy to display in a meeting. Backlog, labor costs, and inventory utilization—these are the figures that fill spreadsheets and define progress reports. In my experience, they don’t tell the full story. Some of the most successful factories I’ve seen and managed weren’t the
It’s not a someday problem—it’s a now problem. Ford CEO Jim Farley has been warning that the shortage of skilled tradespeople is already choking the nation’s “essential economy.” He’s talking about construction workers, electricians, machinists, and auto techs—the people who physically make and maintain everything that keeps our society running.
In Albuquerque,New Mexico, a provocative new proposal is stirring up discussions about how cities can reclaim idle land and address housing shortages. Under the plan, modular housing units would be installed on vacant lots across the city—fast, affordable, and with less red tape. What if those modular units were made
A Simple Habit That Can Change Your Entire Factory Originally, I thought of writing this just for offsite factory owners and general managers, but as the words started to form, I realized something important: this message is for everyone. Everyone in an offsite construction factory. Everyone in any workplace, really.
Walk into any offsite construction event, from IBS to a regional builders’ association meeting, and you’ll hear it. Factory owners swapping stories over coffee, leaning on bar counters, or waiting in line for a shuttle bus. And like clockwork, advice flows freely—everything from how to solve labor shortages to why
For generations, $80,000 a year was the picture of middle-class comfort. Families earning it could buy a house in a decent neighborhood, drive a reliable car, pay the bills, and even set a little aside for vacations and college funds. It was the number that seemed to promise stability. But
If you’ve been around the building industry for more than five minutes, you’ve heard the word modular. It’s the golden child of construction right now—hailed as the solution to housing shortages, rising labor costs, and the need for speed. But here’s the problem: too many companies are calling themselves modular
In offsite construction, margins are measured with a microscope. Materials rise and fall in cost like the tides, labor shortages never seem to ease, and project delays chew through profits faster than a dull saw blade through plywood. And yet—despite all the hand-wringing over the economics of building—an astonishing 36%
Walk into a house built in the 1960s, 1970s, or even the 1990s, and you’ll feel the difference before you spot it. There’s a subtle draft around the windows, a little cold pocket by the front door, and if you hold your hand up to an electrical outlet on an
If you’ve ever talked to someone who built a modular home in Ontario, chances are you’ve heard you’ve ever talked to someone who built a modular home in Ontario, chances are you’ve heard the name Quality Homes. For decades, Quality Homes has been leading the charge, helping people rethink what’s
Designing and building a modular factory has never been more exciting—or more accessible. In fact, it seems like every month a new team of consultants pops up, ready to help bring someone’s offsite vision to life. These firms range from solo operators to full-service companies with slick presentations, clever branding,
Bureaucratic delays, logistical challenges, and high costs have long marked the journey of disaster relief housing. But now, a pioneering solution is rolling down the highways, offering wildfire survivors not just a roof over their heads but a renewed sense of stability. Nano Nest, a modular housing innovator, is changing
What were you doing in high school? Struggling through trigonometry? Fumbling through extracurriculars? Meet Ajith Varikuti, a Charlotte, NC high school student with a passion for design and an eye on the future. While most teenagers are figuring out prom dates, Ajith is designing homes to tackle rising sea levels—and
Dive into the future of sustainable solutions with Joel Wurschmidt, Director of Business Development at Envirobon. Known for their groundbreaking innovations, Envirobon is reshaping the way industries approach eco-friendly products. In this exclusive interview, Joel reveals the vision and technology behind their innovative offerings, providing a glimpse into how Envirobon
Behind every groundbreaking innovation lies a journey of overcoming obstacles, and for Brian Iverson, the path to creating Thermal Studs was no exception. In Part One of his Interview, we talked about how solving problems in sustainability and energy efficiency was the idea for his innovative product the T-Stud. Today,
In an industry facing mounting pressure to balance energy efficiency, structural integrity, and affordability, innovation becomes the key to change. Brian Iverson, the visionary behind Thermal Studs, has taken up this challenge by addressing long-standing inefficiencies and sustainability issues in traditional building materials. The Thermal Studs system emerged as a
In every industry, from technology and finance to the ever-evolving field of offsite construction, a particular breed of person stands out: the innovator. These individuals, no matter their field, seem to share certain quirks and traits that make them particularly suited for seeing things differently and—most importantly—acting on it. But
FRAMECAD is one of the worlds leading innovators in automating cold formed steel framing construction. Their claim of being “relentless innovators” caught my eye so I contacted Curtis Edgecombe, who is the Senior Vice President of FRAMECAD Americas. Is it a viable alternative to wood frame offsite construction? Read below,
A.V. Birch, based in Shropshire, England, has long been a leader in the design and manufacture of industrial automation and timber engineering solutions. Founded in 1977, the company has built a strong reputation for its expertise in mechanical handling, bespoke automation, and bespoke machinery design, serving industries ranging from automotive
With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Sarah Noel has become a key figure in advancing modular construction in the United States. As a Business Development Representative at Dorce Prefabricated Building and Construction Industry Trade, Inc., Sarah is at the forefront of introducing innovative prefabricated solutions catering
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the construction industry still struggles to catch up. Innovators like Paul Richards are leading the charge, showing how the industry can adapt and thrive by embracing modern technologies, new processes, and fresh mindsets. Paul Richards’ story is not just about the innovations he’s brought forward;
Having spent over 40 years in the offsite construction industry as a GM and COO, I’m no stranger to the challenges of managing modular manufacturing projects. My team and I constantly navigated a sea of spreadsheets, charts, and verbal communications, trying to keep everything from design approvals to deliveries in
Since its inception in 2017, Boxabl has revolutionized the modular housing industry with its innovative approach to solving one of the most persistent challenges in construction—scaling mass production. Founded by Paolo and Galiano Tiramani with the vision of producing homes in the same way factories churn out cars or electronics,
A new “Cause and Effect Series” by Bill Murray I’ve been asked many times, “Why do some modular factories make it while others don’t?” There
Everyone loves numbers. They’re clear, comforting, and easy to display in a meeting. Backlog, labor costs, and inventory utilization—these are the figures that fill spreadsheets
It’s not a someday problem—it’s a now problem. Ford CEO Jim Farley has been warning that the shortage of skilled tradespeople is already choking the
In Albuquerque,New Mexico, a provocative new proposal is stirring up discussions about how cities can reclaim idle land and address housing shortages. Under the plan,
A Simple Habit That Can Change Your Entire Factory Originally, I thought of writing this just for offsite factory owners and general managers, but as
Walk into any offsite construction event, from IBS to a regional builders’ association meeting, and you’ll hear it. Factory owners swapping stories over coffee, leaning
For generations, $80,000 a year was the picture of middle-class comfort. Families earning it could buy a house in a decent neighborhood, drive a reliable
If you’ve been around the building industry for more than five minutes, you’ve heard the word modular. It’s the golden child of construction right now—hailed
In offsite construction, margins are measured with a microscope. Materials rise and fall in cost like the tides, labor shortages never seem to ease, and
Walk into a house built in the 1960s, 1970s, or even the 1990s, and you’ll feel the difference before you spot it. There’s a subtle
If you’ve ever talked to someone who built a modular home in Ontario, chances are you’ve heard you’ve ever talked to someone who built a
Designing and building a modular factory has never been more exciting—or more accessible. In fact, it seems like every month a new team of consultants
Bureaucratic delays, logistical challenges, and high costs have long marked the journey of disaster relief housing. But now, a pioneering solution is rolling down the
What were you doing in high school? Struggling through trigonometry? Fumbling through extracurriculars? Meet Ajith Varikuti, a Charlotte, NC high school student with a passion
Dive into the future of sustainable solutions with Joel Wurschmidt, Director of Business Development at Envirobon. Known for their groundbreaking innovations, Envirobon is reshaping the
Behind every groundbreaking innovation lies a journey of overcoming obstacles, and for Brian Iverson, the path to creating Thermal Studs was no exception. In Part
In an industry facing mounting pressure to balance energy efficiency, structural integrity, and affordability, innovation becomes the key to change. Brian Iverson, the visionary behind
In every industry, from technology and finance to the ever-evolving field of offsite construction, a particular breed of person stands out: the innovator. These individuals,
FRAMECAD is one of the worlds leading innovators in automating cold formed steel framing construction. Their claim of being “relentless innovators” caught my eye so
A.V. Birch, based in Shropshire, England, has long been a leader in the design and manufacture of industrial automation and timber engineering solutions. Founded in
With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Sarah Noel has become a key figure in advancing modular construction in the United States.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, the construction industry still struggles to catch up. Innovators like Paul Richards are leading the charge, showing how the industry
Having spent over 40 years in the offsite construction industry as a GM and COO, I’m no stranger to the challenges of managing modular manufacturing
Since its inception in 2017, Boxabl has revolutionized the modular housing industry with its innovative approach to solving one of the most persistent challenges in