Ironwood Manufactured Homes is developing a new modular-construction plant in Woodstock, N.B., that will serve the multi-residential, hospitality and other commercial real estate markets.

The 118,000-square-foot plant will replace an existing 10,000-sf one that only manufactures single-family units, CBC reported. Ironwood has declined opportunities to make apartment buildings because the required longer building time force the company to turn away house builds that have kept the existing plant running at full capacity.

“The new facility will give us the capacity to get into multi-residential,” Mark Gaddas, Woodstock-based Ironwood’s owner and president, told CTV, noting that workers could build hotels, universities and dormitories.

“We’ll have anywhere from 10 to 15 houses under construction at all times.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney has cited modular construction as a way to speed up housing construction, helping to offset Canada’s chronic housing shortage. In March, the federal and New Brunswick governments committed $2.5 million to the Ironwood project with Ottawa providing $1.5 million and the province investing $1 million.

The provincial support includes a conditionally repayable loan and funds for workforce training and new automation equipment aimed at improving productivity.

“By positioning itself as a leader in the modular-construction sector, Ironwood is directly contributing to the New Brunswick housing strategy, Housing for All,” said Luke Randall, the minister responsible for the province’s Opportunities NB Fund that is making the investment. “We are proud to support Ironwood’s growth as they play a vital role in meeting the increasing demand for affordable housing, both in New Brunswick and beyond.”

Photo: Ironwood