Essex Centre of Excellence for Construction Innovation Opens

A £2.3 MILLION centre of excellence for construction innovation, has opened for business.

Building work has finished on I-Construct after 15 months on the innovation hub which is based off Springwood Drive in Braintree, Essex.

The two-storey building consists of a technology suite, exhibition space, conference facilities and informal meeting areas. It is home to a team offering one-to-one mentoring, grant schemes and advice to small and medium sized firms connected to the construction industry.

Construction Innovation

It will be a place where innovative ideas – such as robotics, off-site construction, and modelling software – are shared and celebrated. It is hoped that the sharing of ideas and opportunities will increase innovation and productivity in the construction sector.

The state-of-the-art building has been built to extremely high environmental standards using innovative construction techniques and modern materials. It was delivered by Beardwell Construction Limited. The design means that the building will be highly energy efficient when in use. The eco-measures of the building as this video shows.

The business support programme at the hub will be run by the Haven Gateway Partnership and will serve businesses across Essex, Kent and East Sussex.

The programme will support over 350 businesses, launch 150 new products and services, and create up to 130 jobs.

An official ceremony to mark the opening will be held in the New Year.

Businesses interested in the support available can find out more here.

George Kieffer, Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership, said: “I-Construct provides a platform and a network to help us build back better, using modern methods of construction and materials particularly by smaller and medium-sized businesses which do not have the resources of the national builders.

“We are fortunate to be supported by the expertise of the Building Research Establishment and the long experience of Colchester Institute in construction skills and training. I-Construct will play a major role in making construction businesses more competitive and is an excellent example of co-operation between government, the private sector and further education.”

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