Portakabin

Portakabin: modular buildings manufactured off site

Portakabin is a UK-based manufacturer of modular and portable buildings that produces its structures off site and then delivers and installs them. The company presents its range as premium, rapidly deployable space and describes its permanent-grade modular buildings as award-winning. Its stated aim is to cover projects from initial conception through to completion, with teams supporting customers at each stage of planning, development, delivery and maintenance.

The manufacturer reports a workforce of more than 2,200 people and operations across 10 European countries. Its manufacturing headquarters is in York, and the company states that its factories hold ISO accreditation.

Buildings by sector

The catalogue is organised around the end use of each building rather than a single product line. Portakabin describes the following applications:

• Education: learning environments built through modular construction, from early-years classrooms to large lecture theatres, designed for rapid growth and long-term use.
• Healthcare: wards, treatment areas and clinical offices, including operating theatres described as HBN/HTM compliant.
• Offices: workspace built off site and ready for occupation in weeks, which can be scaled, reconfigured or relocated.
• Site accommodation: welfare and office space for construction projects, designed to be installed and relocated as work progresses.
• Sports: facilities such as fitness centres, cited at premier league football clubs.
• Other uses: storage facilities, toilets, showers and changing facilities, and manufacturing facilities.

The company also lists sector experience in agriculture and fishing, construction, industry and commerce, infrastructure, transport and logistics, public administration and defence, and retail and wholesale.

Transitional Housing

Portakabin has launched a Transitional Housing model, presented as a way to provide UK families in need with what the company calls a Space to Belong. It is the most recent addition highlighted on the company's site alongside its established building ranges.

Purchase, hire and refurbished options

Beyond new buildings, the range covers portable cabins, used cabins for sale and cabins ready for hire. Portakabin also offers a sell-back route for modular buildings already owned by customers, and refurbished units alongside new ones. Interior, exterior and damage waiver options are offered as part of the package.

Services around the building

The company provides a set of services that accompany the manufacture and installation of its buildings: procurement options and frameworks intended to streamline purchasing, emergency response, after-sales and aftercare, and maintenance. It also publishes brochures and free guides, and runs factory tours and visitor centres; the site refers to more than 55 UK visitor centres.

Delivery model and track record

Portakabin states that even the largest modular projects can be completed up to 70% faster than bricks-and-mortar construction, and that it holds the UK's largest fleet of high-quality modular buildings. Every project, regardless of size, is covered by its On Time On Budget Promise. The company traces its activity over a 65-year history.

Among the projects described is a training and performance centre for Brentford Football Club, including office space, changing rooms and medical treatment rooms, conceived as a temporary facility and a stepping stone towards the club's longer-term performance centre. Another case study covers a two-storey GP surgery at Foleshill Health Centre. The site also cites a temporary office and welfare accommodation supplied to SUEZ after a fire, and a project completed from rough ground to finished article in six weeks for Edrington.

Recognition and governance

Portakabin reports that it and its York manufacturing headquarters received an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council. The company was also appointed to deliver the first Cadet Super Centre in the East Midlands, a flagship modular training and office facility in Northampton for East Midlands RFCA. Its site publishes information on leadership and governance, financial stability, sustainability, trademarks and supplier relations.