Embracing Digital Workflows to Scale Panelised Housing with hsbcad

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From its origins as a sawmilling and truss manufacturer in regional Victoria, Drouin West Timber & Truss (DWTT) has evolved into one of Australia’s most forward-leaning offsite manufacturers. Through a steady investment in automation, standardisation and software integration, DWTT’s panellised housing arm, FutureFit, now accounts for half the business—and the path forward is increasingly digital. (main image: DWTT’s FutureFit system cut lock-up time to under three days per dwelling on this Keysborough project in Melbourne.)

Panelisation begins with design
DWTT’s shift into modern methods of construction (MMC) began in 2013 with the decision to diversify beyond the highly competitive frame and truss market and invest in factory-based prefabrication. As Nick Ward explains, “we realised early on that if we were going to get the benefits of factory-built panelisation, we needed to get the design process right—and that meant choosing the right software.”

That software was hsbcad, a global platform built specifically for the offsite and timber construction sectors. Designed to integrate with modelling platforms like Revit and AutoCAD, hsbcad bridges the gap between architectural intent and manufacturing precision.

“We’ve used hsbcad since the beginning of FutureFit,” said Nick. “At first, we were only running small projects, but now the volume has scaled up significantly. To keep pace, we’re relying more and more on hsbcad’s ability to reduce double handling, eliminate paperwork and accelerate our entire workflow.”

A platform built for prefabrication
For DWTT, the core strength of hsbcad lies in its adaptability. “It allows us to work with conventional drawings and convert them into machine-readable models,” said Nick. “That means we can take a standard townhouse plan and adapt it for panelisation without asking the builder to redesign everything.”

This level of flexibility has proven vital to DWTT’s core markets, which include townhouse developments and medium-density housing. “Some jobs just aren’t viable for panelisation,” Nick noted. “But for the ones that are, hsbcad lets us optimise the process from the very start.”

Doug Ward, Nick’s brother, agrees that digital capability has become central to builder engagement. “Builders are now much more open to faster build methods,” he said. “They’re seeing how we can deliver to lock-up in a matter of days. That kind of result shifts perceptions.”

Moving toward a paperless factory
Earlier this year, Doug and Nick travelled to Germany to attend LIGNA—the world’s leading trade fair for the timber and woodworking industries. As part of the visit, they toured a Netherlands-based offsite manufacturer using hsbcad’s advanced modules, including hsbMake.

“We saw a team working without paper—no printed job sheets, just screens,” said Nick. “In some cases, they weren’t even looking at the screens. The level of standardisation was so embedded that they instinctively knew what needed to be done.”

That site visit confirmed DWTT’s plan to implement hsbMake across its operations. “At the moment, we spend a lot of time tracking changes manually. If a mistake happens, someone has to find the paperwork and communicate the fix. With hsbMake, we can correct the error in the design software, press publish, and the update goes straight to production.”

Automation that grows with the business DWTT has recently expanded its manufacturing capacity, installing additional processing lines to meet growing demand for prefabricated panel systems. But as Nick pointed out, machinery alone isn’t enough.

“To hit targets like 1.2 million homes in eight years, you can’t just throw more labour at the problem,” he said. “You need systems that let you build more with the same resources—and software is critical to that.”

Even after a decade of use, DWTT continues to unlock new value from hsbcad. “We’ve really only scratched the surface,” Nick said. “There are opportunities to automate design rules, create scripts, and eliminate rework. It’s not about replacing people—it’s about enabling them to work smarter.”

Support and development
DWTT has worked closely with hsbcad’s Australian support team since the outset. “Frank Davern has been involved from the beginning, even before he joined hsbcad,” said Nick. “He helped us set up our first design environment and has always been available to support us as we’ve grown. I can’t fault it.”

That support has been crucial as DWTT prepares to implement IFC file formats for greater interoperability between design and production systems. “The software is robust enough to support everything from detailing to fabrication and data exchange,” Nick added.

Repeatability as a business model

Over the past 12 months, DWTT has delivered more than 130 double-storey units through its FutureFit system. A recent project in Keysborough saw the client save five months in build time—primarily by reducing the timeframe to lock-up to less than three days per dwelling.

But according to Nick, the real advantage of panelisation is consistency. “Repeatability is the key,” he said. “If we can manufacture the same thing multiple times, we can guarantee cost, quality and timeline. hsbcad helps us get there.”

As more developers and builders look for certainty and speed, DWTT’s panelised approach is becoming increasingly attractive. “The software has helped us grow from a side project to something that now makes up half the business,” Nick said. “And it’s clear to us—and to our customers—that this is where the industry is headed.”

See: DWTT

See: hsbcad