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Nigel Telford, Group Commercial ManagerTLC Modular is committed to creating resilient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective structures.
“Over the years, we’ve successfully executed a variety of modular projects, not only as manufacturers, but as developers, contractors, and installers,” says Nigel Telford, Group Commercial Manager at TLC Modular.
But its strength lies in not just what it builds, but where it builds. With operations centered in proximity to its primary markets—Australia and New Zealand—the firm leverages its location to expedite product shipment locally and globally.
A critical competitive advantage stems from its operations in Vietnam. The country boasts a well-administered governance structure, a stable economy, and consistent wage growth, contributing to a favorable manufacturing environment in the APAC market.
Unlike countries like China, where labor costs have surged dramatically, Vietnam offers a more stable and predictable trajectory for labor-related expenses. The country’s abundance of skilled and semi-skilled workers enhances TLC Modular’s manufacturing prowess.
This strategic location has already yielded dividends. It has received feedback from builders in various sectors, including mining, hospitality, and residential construction, who vouch for the firm’s agility. For instance, TLC Modular collaborated with a mining camp turnkey builder to deliver 71 off-grid, fully ensuite accommodations from Vietnam to Australia within an impressive three-month timeframe.
Navigating diverse markets, however, comes with regulatory hurdles, particularly in the offshore manufacturing domain, where compliance standards can differ substantially across jurisdictions.
TLC Modular mitigates these challenges through its remote monitoring platform. By engaging with relevant stakeholders and legal authorities from the project’s inception, the company can delineate a clear compliance roadmap for its clients. Factors such as available cranes, port limitations, and road conditions are scrutinized early in the feasibility and design development process before making any significant investment.
TLC Modular is currently in the midst of delivering 193 apartments to the New Zealand market. Notably, half of these units are part of the KiwiBuild affordable housing program, a New Zealand government initiative to make housing more accessible. Despite many construction challenges and disruptions caused by COVID-19, TLC Modular has effectively kept the project on track for completion this year.
On another front, it also tends to the rising global emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. For many organizations, aligning with ESG values means more than regulatory mandates; it is a badge of corporate responsibility that companies willingly display. Responding to this groundswell, TLC Modular offers transparent ESG credentials, embodied in a comprehensive handbook and policy readily shared with clients.
Making all this possible is TLC Modular’s expert team, hailing from Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka—forming a veritable ‘United Nations’ of specialized talent. They assist clients in navigating preliminary site planning, construction management plans, and even intricacies like road freight logistics.
This pre-emptive focus adds to cost competitiveness, positioning TLC Modular as an industry leader in developing affordable and community housing for underserved markets in the APAC region.
Over the years, we’ve successfully executed a variety of modular projects, not only as manufacturers, but as developers, contractors, and installers.
This resilience can again be partly attributed to TLC Modular’s single-source supply chain. While many builders experienced a 30 to 40 percent increase in material costs due to supply chain disruptions, TLC Modular saw a relatively modest uptick of only 5 to 7 percent. As a result, the project could continue uninterrupted.
If these instances are not impressive enough, TLC Modular’s years of on-site turnkey contracting experience have endowed it with specialized insights into engineering robust, disaster-resistant modular systems. This expertise is evident in the design of its wall systems and other components. The features range from offering effective temporary weather protection during transit to incorporating waterproof and breathable materials.
The design aims to mitigate common issues like mold and condensation, which are critical in high-humidity environments like Southeast Asia. This attention to detail is also key to enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the completed structures.
These competencies showcase TLC Modular’s thoughtfulness to modular construction. As it prepares to expand its footprint into the U.S. and the UK markets, its multifaceted approach, deeply rooted in environmental and social governance, promises to make it a force to be reckoned with in the global construction industry.
