Construction firm Beard has entered into a strategic partnership with Green Unit Limited, in order to help boost production of modular low-carbon buildings. The move is part of Beard’s ambition to be more sustainable and to more actively drive sustainable alternatives in the construction industry.

Beard had been studying opportunities to join forces with a sustainable and eco-friendly business, focused on modern methods of construction (MMC). The partnership enhances Green Unit’s ability to provide its customers with premium quality, modular, eco-buildings for commercial, community and residential use.

It will enable Green Unit to expand demand across a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, education and leisure, as it will be able to increase manufacturing in its new production space.

As the UK heads into a winter set to be dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, Green Unit will continue to provide its distinctive modular units to the NHS for various uses such as staff respite and patient care areas.

Green Unit was co-founded in 2012 by Jonathan Finnerty, to develop distinctive eco-buildings, which are design-focused and based on Passivhaus principles to create a sense of peace and relaxation for users.

As well as being environmentally-friendly they are built with low embodied carbon and high operational performance due to their levels of insulation and airtightness.

The buildings are manufactured offsite in sections, transported by road and delivered to site virtually complete. The investment from Beard will enable Green Unit to relocate its operations to a 21,000 m² factory at Lockwood Farm, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, which will significantly increase its production capacity.

While Green Unit Limited remains an independent company, Beard’s Chad Murrin will sit on the board of Green Unit as part of this partnership.

Beard chairman Mark Beard said:

“Methods of construction are changing and as a business we want to move further towards sustainability. Off-site and modular construction methods are being increasingly used in our industry and there are some key learnings we can take from this for the wider construction sector. These techniques can significantly improve quality, reduce construction time and lessen dependence on site works.

“We have been looking for some time for a long-term partner with this expertise and in Green Unit we feel that we have found a perfect match. We can support its ongoing growth and development while at the same time we can further increase our own knowledge of sustainable methods of construction.

“It is important for Beard to transfer knowledge about modular construction methods into our core business and in due course have a modular offering for our customers.”

Green Unit managing director Jonathan Finnerty added:

“The development of this new partnership is a key moment for Green Unit as a business, as it enables us to significantly expand our production capability. Beard has an excellent quality, environmental and ethical reputation and a large customer base, notably in the education sector.

“Beard has grown significantly in recent years and is well-placed to assist and support our young company as we grow. We look forward to working together to develop a new, unique, modular building product which can be offered to Beard’s customers.”