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Innovative metal-bending modular housing manufacturer set for new frontiers.
With national and global markets in their sights, FormFlow metal-bending is drawing on cutting edge technology and expertise to upscale its production capability with the recent announcement of their new modular housing manufacturing facility.
It’s set to be built at an unused airport hangar in Portland, and was made possible with funding from the Victorian Government’s Portland Diversification Fund.
Established only five years ago, the company has captured strong commercial interest, particularly through producing “tiny homes” and in eco-friendly construction.
“FormFlow’s metal-bending technology is unique. It is a secondary forming operation that relies on the theory of ‘folded developables’ to limit material deformation in incoming roll-formed strip to simple bending, while forming a complex shape, such as a 90-degree angle,” said Dr Matt Dingle, Managing Director at FormFlow.
“To achieve this, the profile shape of the incoming corrugated strip must conform to the surface contours of our metal-bending technology. Unfortunately, this is often not the case as different steel manufacturers use different profile shapes and material parameters. Thus, being able to trace the incoming profile shapes and material properties in real time and adjust the technology accordingly will enhance our bending process significantly, allowing us to respond to different customer requirements and deliver products of greater quality.”
The $2.35 million modular housing manufacturing facility will be capable of producing up to 200 relocatable houses a year for the Glenelg Shire and surrounding regions.
It’s anticipated the new modular housing facility will create 50 full time jobs and an estimated 150 indirect jobs.
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According to the government sources, once complete, the modular housing facility will establish a new industry for Portland.
“As well as manufacturing housing for key workers this facility will have the ability to design and produce purpose-built housing for a range of needs into the future.
“This includes social and affordable housing, for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants, tourism and for emergency response housing.”
The manufacturing facility is one of a range of initiatives the state government is backing to boost housing stocks for regional workers, including the construction of five studio units at the Koroit Caravan Park, and housing in Timboon and in Simpson where up to 140 new homes are to be built.
