Our Unique Approach
Historically, prefabrication in the construction industry has meant that a specific subcontractor or manufacturer assembled building components remotely, and shipped them to the jobsite for installation. Skanska’s Multi-Trade Prefabrication process builds on this concept but differs in key ways. First, components are assembled locally, either onsite or in close proximity to the jobsite in a Skanska-managed facility. Second, Skanska’s process delivers complex assemblies that integrate the work of multiple trades and contractors. As a result, we can consistently deliver the cost and schedule benefits of prefabrication to any project, regardless of geographic location.
Industrialization on the construction site goes beyond prefabrication alone and is symbiotic with Lean Construction. Employing processes such pre-assembly, kit-packing and Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery reduces operational inefficiencies driven by excess material movement, absence of resources and time waiting for materials. Each project is unique and over the last decade we’ve created custom refabrication/industrialization approaches for more than fifty projects nationwide.
Benefits of an industrialized approach to construction:
- Financial value – Prefabrication/industrialization enables an accelerated schedule that delivers the project earlier, lowering overhead project costs and allowing for revenue generation to begin sooner.
- Reduced schedule – Off-site fabrication allows us to initiate work on interior assemblies much earlier in the construction sequence with greater efficiency, leading to accelerated schedules.
- Enhanced quality – Prefabrication allows construction of building components in a climate-controlled, well-lit, clean environment, and it gives teams the ability to control production and streamline the work among trades.
- Improved safety –Typical overhead work is performed at bench height in well-lit and ventilated conditions. Workers have ample room to move around modules to install ceiling elements rather than working off ladders.
- Increased local participation – Local subcontractors assemble, transport and install assembled components, ensuring code compliance and resulting in more dollars spent in the local community.
- Minimized waste – Scrap is reduced because materials are ordered to exact lengths and in correct amounts, resulting in fewer mistakes, misalignments and deviations.
- Improved maintainability – The uniformity of modules means more predictive and preventative maintenance can be calculated for enhanced operating costs savings.