​BoKlok UK appoints modular housing manufacturer, TopHat, to deliver first UK homes

BoKlok UK, the sustainable, quality low-cost home provider, jointly owned by Skanska and IKEA, has announced that it has appointed leading technology-driven modular housing manufacturer TopHat, to help deliver part of its first product offering in the UK.

The five-year contract will see TopHat work with BoKlok to manufacture two and three-bedroom houses. Like all BoKlok developments, the homes will be made from timber frames and will feature key BoKlok characteristics such as natural light, low energy consumption and IKEA fittings. All homes will be BOPAS (Building Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) certified.

TopHat was selected as a key supply chain partner due to its commitment to quality and sustainability. Its precision-led Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) technology is the first of its kind; using sustainable materials in factories to produce high quality homes at pace.

Graeme Culliton, BoKlok UK Managing Director and Country Manager, said:

“We are delighted to be working with TopHat. We share the same ambition to bring innovation and sustainability to the UK housing market, which means attractive and good quality homes for people on average incomes.

“Our two companies complement one another well, with TopHat bringing its high levels of automated manufacturing expertise and BoKlok having over 20 years’ experience developing and manufacturing over 12,000 homes in the Nordics. As we venture into the UK, we believe that TopHat will contribute to our long-term vision and success, to provide quality, low-cost homes, using sustainable materials and modern methods of construction.”

Jordan Rosenhaus, Chief Executive of TopHat, said:

“BoKlok is a leader in MMC and we are extremely proud that it has selected TopHat based on the quality of our work.

“TopHat’s cutting-edge technology platform underpins our manufacturing processes and enables us to deliver quality and consistency at lower cost. We look forward to working with BoKlok, as they deliver their first homes in the UK!”

Design work is well underway on BoKlok’s Bristol and Peacehaven developments.

Subject to planning permission, sales to home buyers are expected during the second quarter of 2021.

About TopHat:

• TopHat is a technology-driven modular housing manufacturer: aiming to revolutionise the digital construction industry, from housebuilding to commercial property.
• TopHat was founded in 2016 and commenced production in early 2018 at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in South Derbyshire. Homes are constructed inside, away from the challenges of muddy fields, wind and rain.
• TopHat technology can design and build high quality homes in just 10 weeks (average timeframe) and takes around 2 weeks to assemble on site. Speed and efficiency is built into the TopHat product, and the precision led technology always delivers quality.

• The first residential site to use TopHat’s technology is the historic Kitchener Barracks in Chatham, Kent.

• TopHat has attracted significant capital investment, most recently £75m capital investment funds from Goldman Sachs.

• Homes are produced at the production plant in South Derbyshire, which has created 150 jobs. These are a mix of skilled engineering and design jobs, including apprenticeships from plumbers to electricians, carpenters to window fitters and back office roles.