McCarthy & Stone : Sigmat and McCarthy & Stone agree major partnership to deliver new retirement communities using eco-friendly and dynamic modern method of construction

Sigmat and McCarthy & Stone agree major partnership to deliver new retirement communities using eco-friendly and dynamic modern method of construction

Leeds-based Sigmat have agreed a major new partnership with McCarthy & Stone, the UK's leading developer and manager of retirement communities, to use Sigmat's unique modern method of construction (MMC).

Following a detailed selection process, Sigmat secured the framework as the Partner of Choice based on the merits of its industry-leading,eco-friendly and dynamic Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF) off- site structural solution. The landmark deal will see Sigmat roll out its LGSF solution across five of McCarthy & Stone's sites in FY21, totalling more than 200 units. It is expected that this solution will become c.25% of McCarthy & Stone's total output within five years, equating to c.400 units a year.

The partnership will see McCarthy & Stone become one of the first national retirement community developers to back the Government's agenda of increasing housing built off-site. McCarthy & Stone is also one of only a handful of volume developers to make a major commitment to this type of manufacturing.

The plans have the potential to improve energy efficiency, compared with a traditional UK home and cut development times by up to half. The framework agreement will also help fast-track the delivery of housing for older people which, despite the rapidly ageing population, is currently undersupplied across the UK.

McCarthy & Stone is looking to increase its proportion of off-site development by embracing other parts of Sigmat's innovative design elements, including its pre-glazed window options.

The key benefits of homes manufactured in the Sigmat Light Gauge Steel Frame system include:

• Reduced build times, risks, and increased project management control
• Construction times cut by up to 50% because work can be streamlined and employees can be more productive
• Eco-friendlywith high proportion of recycled materials
• Dynamic and flexible application, ideal for the modern retirement market
• Increased levels of build quality thanks to the consistency and control achieved in factories

compared with working on construction sites

• Ongoing research and development
• All homes backed by the same NHBC Build Mark warranty that traditional homes offer, ensuring they are fully mortgageable and insurable
• Vital investment in UK productivity, innovation and skills by creating new employment that can tackle skills shortages in construction and engineering

John Tonkiss, CEO of McCarthy & Stone, said: "I am delighted that we are working with Sigmat who are one of the UK's most innovative and quality driven manufacturers. Their team share our commitment to embracing MMC and can help us deliver high-quality retirement communities that push the boundaries of what consumers expect while cutting energy bills, waste and construction times. The Government has prioritised off-site manufacturing in recognition that we need different solutions to the housing crisis. We are responding to this with a serious, long-term commitment that will be a win-win for investors, policy makers and, above all our customers."

The move into off-site manufacturing is one of three key strands of McCarthy & Stone's new strategy, announced in September 2018, to leverage the long-term opportunities in the retirement community sector. They include:

• Increasing customer choice by launching a range of multi-tenure options
• Increasing flexibility by launching new care and support services to better support its customers
• Increasing affordability by designing communities with new construction
  techniques such as off-site manufacturing. As part of this, new contemporary and open plan apartment types have also been developed to increase mass-market appeal.

Work has already started on the team's first collaborative scheme in Hexham, Northumberland. The 48 apartment development is expected to be completed in September 2021.

Mark Eburne, CEO of Sigmat commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with McCarthy & Stone to help them embrace modern methods of construction by providing Sigmat light gauge steel panelised structural frames, including floors and walls. The Sigmat team have started on-site for our first project together in Hexham, and we anticipate more projects to commence within the following 12 months. By partnering with McCarthy & Stone we are committed to providing quality superstructures, manufactured off-site at our Leeds manufacturing facility for the UK retirement market."

Sigmat's Chief Operating Officer Marcus Wood also commented: "This is a hugely exciting collaboration for both McCarthy & Stone and Sigmat. We have been working closely with the team at McCarthy & Stone over the last two years and we are delighted to be selected to help support their push in modern method of construction over the next five years. The retirement living sector is one of many ideal applications of the Sigmat system due to the eco-friendly,flexible and dynamic nature. This investment in both the McCarthy & Stone build expertise, Sigmat Modern Method of Construction and the partnering style will set new standards in delivering retirement living portfolios. Moving away from the more traditional 'one off' project construction methods and relationships into a more integrated and long-termsolution across the portfolio making incremental improvements, lessons learnt and standardisation over time."

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Notes to editors - McCarthy & Stone

McCarthy & Stone is the UK's leading developer and manager of retirement communities, with a significant market share. The Group buys land and then builds, sells and manages high-quality retirement developments. It has built and sold more than 58,000 properties across more than 1,300 retirement developments since 1977 and is renowned for its focus on the needs of those in later life.

McCarthy & Stone has two main product ranges - Retirement Living and Retirement Living PLUS - which provide mainly one and two-bedroom apartments across the country with varying levels of support and care for older people. Retirement Living developments provide independence in private apartments designed specifically for the over-60s, as well as facilities such as communal lounges and guest suites that support companionship. Retirement Living PLUS developments, which are designed specifically for the over-70s, offer all of this plus more on-site facilities such as restaurants, well-being suites and function rooms. Importantly, they also provide on-site flexible care and support packages to assist those needing additional help.

All developments built since 2010 are managed by the company's in-house management services team, providing peace of mind that it will look after customers and their properties over the long term. This is a key part of how McCarthy & Stone seeks to enrich its customers' lives. This commitment to quality and customer service continues to be recognised by residents. In March 2020, the Group received the full five star rating for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation for the fifteenth consecutive year - making it the only UK developer, of any size or type, to achieve this accolade.

For further information, please visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk

Notes to editors - Sigmat

Sigmat are the UK market leader in the design & manufacture of light gauge steel framing which offers a cost-effective and faster alternative to traditional building methods. They design, manufacture, and assemble all under one roof, and install load-bearing light gauge steel framing solutions of highest quality. Their extensive design and manufacturing capabilities mean the offer a 'one-stop-shop' solution for clients, with over 18 years of extensive experience and industry knowledge, and over 300 completed projects nationwide across student accommodation, residential, retirement living, hotels, education and luxury housing sectors.

Their unique combination of engineering excellence, design expertise and unrivalled manufacturing capabilities means Sigmat can offer light gauge steel superstructures and volumetric panels, up to 15 storeys.

With many benefits of light gauge steel as a modern method of construction, from speed and certainty of build programme, to increased precision due to the nature of 'offsite manufactured', many clients are now choosing LGSF as their preferred method of construction.

Sigmat's market leadership is founded upon their highly experienced team all of whom have extensive construction knowledge and the proven ability to innovate new and better patented profiles which enhance structural capability and alleviate the weaknesses of other light gauge steel systems.

For further information, please visit at www.sigmat.co.uk