Firm says acquisition will form basis of a self-build division

Modular housing start-up Project Etopia has bought self-build specialist Tribus Homes in a move the firm said could enable it to set up mini-modular plants across the country.

Corby Project Etopia ariel view1

Project Etopia, set up in 2015 to deliver homes from a 2,000-house a year factory in Ellesmere Port, said the acquisition of Tiverton-based Tribus Homes would form the basis of a new “self-build” division at the firm.

Tribus was set up in 2011 to supply off-site panels to self-builders from its Devon factory, utilising the same structural insulated panel technology as favoured by Project Etopia.

As well as supplying self-builders, Project Etopia (scheme pictured, left) said the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, would be used as an example of the sort of micro manufacturing facility that can be set up around the country to support councils in their house-building ambitions using offsite technology.

Lee McArdle, who co-founded Tribus Homes, will remain the firm’s managing director.

Joseph Daniels, chief executive of Project Etopia, said: “This acquisition means we can use Tribus Homes’ manufacturing facility in Devon to produce up to 200 new homes a year in the South West without needing to transport goods around the country, making developments much more sustainable.

“The factory is a prime example of how a number of satellite, small-scale facilities can be positioned around the country to create local jobs and deliver homes.”