Zena Ryder

Kelowna

Freelance Construction and Robotics Writer at Freelance

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Articles

Startups to Watch

1 week ago | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

These promising young companies are bringing new ways of thinking to the offsite industry. Their range of innovations reflect a healthy industry that’s actively testing new ideas. Materials represented include CLT, steel, concrete and wood. The products they make include modules, panels and even bath pods. What new ideas are today’s entrepreneurs developing in the offsite construction industry?
Getting Creative With Containers

1 month ago | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

Two examples of how an innovator’s mindset can help evolve an offsite business and open new markets. These companies’ business growth is thanks to an expansive view of the potential for their container structures. G-pod started with ADUs then moved into portable power units and mobile command centers. Good Manufacturing branched out from pre-assembled modules to panelized units that can be assembled on-site. The notion that construction lacks innovation is a familiar lament.
Winning Public RFPs With Modular

Jan 22, 2025 | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

Government-financed housing projects are a large potential market for modular. This Minneapolis team shows us how to win the work. The city of Minneapolis, Minn. was looking for “missing middle” housing, meaning multifamily buildings of four to 10 units each. The modular team offered the right blend of experience. In addition, the accelerated project timeline meant the city could start earning revenue sooner and would qualify for tax credits.
Standardizing Modular Designs Across Plants

Jan 22, 2025 | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

The Benefits for Developers and GCsAdvantages include more predictable scheduling and budgeting for the developer, and more predictability for the lender. Contractors will also be less impacted by site variability. Some factories will have concerns about commoditization, but there are strategies to address that and maintain profit margins. One design firm is developing modular plans that can be manufactured by a wide range of companies.
Mass Timber and the Building Codes

Jan 14, 2025 | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

Recent changes reflect a better understanding of this material’s unique properties. Historically, building codes equated mass timber with stick framing in terms of structural strength and fire resistance. That led to unnecessary restrictions. Structural and fire testing has helped update the code requirements. Mass timber structures can now be built taller, and most have lower encapsulation requirements.
State Funds for Affordable Modular

Dec 31, 2024 | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder

Fading West has worked with the State of Colorado to make financing available for modular affordable housing. It’s an effort that manufacturers in other states could emulate. Over the past two years (2023 and 2024) Fading West, a development and offsite manufacturing firm based in Buena Vista, Colorado, was awarded a total of $3.4 million from the State of Colorado to help it provide affordable housing to state residents. How did they win these awards?
What Are the Barriers to Tech Adoption?

Dec 1, 2024 | offsitebuilder.com | Dennis Michaud |Gary Fleisher |Reed Dillon |Zena Ryder

The top five obstacles factory owners worry about, and some advice on how to overcome them. Our June 2024 issue asked factory owners what advanced technologies they had implemented in their plants.
5 Advantages of Offsite Construction that Make It the Solution Home Buyers Need Now

Nov 26, 2024 | offsitebuilder.com | Reed Dillon |Zena Ryder |Erik Cofield

By Dennis Michaud, Managing Director of CertainTeed Offsite SolutionsAs housing demand continues to increase across the United States, offsite construction has been hailed as a game-changing solution in the building industry. Building professionals operating in this space are largely familiar with the many benefits offsite offers in contrast to—or in combination with—traditional construction methods. Knowing the benefits is one thing.
Social Media and Offsite Builders

Nov 15, 2024 | offsitebuilder.com | Reed Dillon |Zena Ryder |Erik Cofield |Andrew Holmes

Too few offsite companies get the most from this powerful marketing tool. Here’s some advice for those who want to do better. Social media engagement can build trust with customers and lead to more sales, but only if your posts are well planned and executed. Make sure to involve salespeople when creating an editorial calendar, as they will have the best insight into customer needs.
Insulated Panel Retrofits

Nov 15, 2024 | offsitebuilder.com | Zena Ryder |Erik Cofield |Andrew Holmes |Gary Fleisher

These manufactured components simplify the process of making a home more energy efficient. Many contractors upgrade existing homes by adding rigid foam and OSB sheathing to the outside. Insulated panels allow the work to be done in one step. Air sealing is an essential part of a successful outcome. It will minimize condensation problems later on. Retrofit panels are simple to install, once the siding and roofing have been stripped. The work usually requires just two people.