Thurston Group, a UK leader in offsite modular construction, is strengthening operational capability at its Wakefield site through investment in upgraded yard handling infrastructure.
Designed to support increasing throughput, the acquisition of a Combilift Multidirectional Straddle Carrier forms part of a continued focus on improving operational efficiency, removing constraints in production flow and ensuring site infrastructure keeps pace with demand. It will also improve dispatch performance and unlock additional capacity as activity across the business from customers old and new continues to grow.
The new Combilift will enable completed modular units to be safely double stacked, significantly increasing usable yard capacity without the need for additional space. It will also improve the movement of units through the yard, supporting more consistent dispatch performance and reducing the risk of delays during peak periods.
By improving how finished units are handled and positioned, the system is expected to reduce reliance on complex lifting operations and lower manual handling requirements. This will allow teams to be deployed more effectively into higher-value activities, supporting productivity and site efficiency.
Commenting on the investment, Matt Goff, Group Managing Director at Thurston Group, said:
“With the backing of GCH Corporation, we are continuing to invest in practical improvements that strengthen capability within all our operations. It also reflects increasing activity across the entire business, and the need to ensure site infrastructure keeps pace with demand.”
Goff added: “The investment gives us greater control as activities scale, in turn improving production capacity and reducing lead times, while also enabling higher output from our existing footprint, ensuring we deliver more consistently for our customers.
We manage high volumes of modular units across multiple live projects, which means maintaining control of the yard is critical to keeping production and dispatch aligned.”
Cassie Hutchings, CEO of GCH Corporation, said: “This investment is another demonstration of GCH’s commitment to building long-term value within Thurston Group. We believe sustainable growth comes from investing not only in people, but also in the infrastructure and operational capability needed to scale efficiently.
As demand for high-quality modular solutions continues to increase, it is important that Thurston has the facilities, equipment and capacity to support its customers while maintaining high standards of quality, safety and delivery. We see this as an important milestone in the Group’s long-term growth strategy and remain committed to supporting further investment that strengthens Thurston’s position in the market.”
