ilke Homes, a UK-based modular homes business specialising in the latest off-site manufacturing techniques, is creating 150 new jobs at its first factory in Harrogate, Yorkshire
The new hires will support the business’ plans to deliver up to 2,000 modular homes a year, in an effort to help solve the UK’s housing crisis. The business aims to grow staff numbers to 800 over the next 2-3 years.
With operations due to commence at the new 25,000m2 factory in March, the jobs will initially consist of 100 people in the manufacturing and supply chain team, supported and enabled by a large team of designers, engineers and other professionals. The manufacturing team is expected to grow to around 300 over the next 12 months. The new team will create high-specification modular homes using the latest precision manufacturing processes to ensure durable, high-quality homes. From the new manufacturing base in Yorkshire, ilke Homes will transport the finished homes to sites across the UK.
Set up to operate at scale to deliver desirable, affordable homes, ilke Homes began trading independently in October and has been looking for applicants with an interest in property to join its forward-thinking team.
Commenting on the announcement, Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Britain has a proud heritage in high quality manufacturing and through our Industrial Strategy the government has outlined a vision that will build on our strengths in manufacturing and help shape an environment that enables businesses to thrive.
“Ilke Homes’ new factory in Harrogate will use innovative off-site manufacturing to build modular affordable homes, creating high quality jobs and contributing to the Industrial Strategy’s bold plan of action when it comes to infrastructure and housing. This includes an investment of £866m through the Housing Infrastructure Fund into local projects that will get 200,000 houses off the ground.”
Björn Conway, CEO of ilke Homes said: “We’re pleased to be able to create high quality jobs in Yorkshire, including a new type of manufacturing role for the local construction industry. Our culture at ilke Homes will be very collaborative – the design engineering team will be hands on, working with the manufacturing team in the factory to solve issues and deliver a product that is not only truly cost effective, but also meets the needs of modern living.
“We’re passionate about having a diverse team at ilke Homes and will offer flexible working arrangements to suit all our employees, whether that’s to fit around the school run or just to maintain a great work-life balance. I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know our new team members.”
To ensure a diverse team is established, the recruitment team will be actively sourcing candidates from a range of backgrounds in addition to working with organisations such as Women in Engineering to focus on the underrepresented groups within the sectors they cover.
Helen Charlesworth, HR Manager at ilke Homes added: “This isn’t your typical construction job so we’re accepting applicants from a variety of career paths – in fact only 30% of applicants so far have come from a property background. The roles provide a chance for people to try a new career, gaining new experience and skills. The key element for us is a shared passion and ethos in what we’re looking to achieve with ilke Homes.”
ilke Homes, in partnership with housing associations, developers and registered providers will deliver much-needed, high-quality housing in less than half the time of traditional construction. Homes will have flexible layouts with over 100 possible variations, from two-storey terraced houses to three-storey semi-detached properties, and blocks of flats of up to four storeys. The homes are mortgageable and tenure blind, being fully adaptable to both private market and housing association requirements for all forms of sale and rent.
