Howdens Manufacturing Site

						
							Client 						

							Howdens

						
							Solution						

							Rental

						
							Delivery to Handover						

							4 Weeks

The Brief

A modern workspace for a growing manufacturing operation

Howdens is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, selling kitchens, bedrooms, doors and joinery products exclusively to the trade. By the end of 2026, Howdens will have a nationwide network of 900 depots, as well as sites in Jersey, Guernsey, the Republic of Ireland and France.

As part of its ongoing investment in UK manufacturing and site modernisation, Howdens sought to replace an ageing eight-bay modular office building at its manufacturing facility in East Yorkshire. The new building needed to provide a modern, flexible workspace while creating a direct link between the office and manufacturing facility.

Premier Modular was appointed as principal designer and was responsible for the design, manufacture, supply and installation of the new building, including its connection to the existing manufacturing facility. Howdens acted as principal contractor and managed the wider project, including the internal fit-out works.

The new 512m², double-storey modular office consists of 16 modules and provides workspace for around 50 employees. The building was delivered and installed within just one month.

“Premier Modular worked closely with us throughout the project to deliver a modern, flexible workspace with minimal disruption to our manufacturing operations. The new building has transformed our team’s working environment and provides the space, facilities and flexibility we need to support our continued growth.”

Jason Arthur, Project Manager, Howdens

Challenges and Solutions

Replacing an existing building in a live manufacturing environment

A key challenge was removing the existing modular building and installing the replacement structure within an operational manufacturing site. Maintaining site operations while minimising disruption was critical.

To achieve this, Premier Modular carefully coordinated installation activities and site logistics, ensuring the new building could be delivered and connected efficiently while allowing the manufacturing site to remain operational.

Tight timescales

The existing building structure was starting to deteriorate and needed replacing quickly to provide staff with a safe, modern working environment.

Our modular construction approach enabled the building to be manufactured and installed within a compressed programme. This delivered a fit-for-purpose solution that supported Howdens’ site modernisation plans and within the short timeframe.

Managing a split scope of works

This highly collaborative project involved a clear division of responsibilities between Premier Modular and Howdens. While Premier Modular supplied and installed the modular building, Howdens supplied its own internal doors and kitchens for our team to install, with Howdens also leading as principal contractor and managing the foundation works.

Building Features

A flexible, collaborative space designed around the people using it

The new two-storey modular office building has been designed to create a modern, comfortable working environment while supporting collaboration and the day-to-day needs of Howdens’ team. With 16 modules providing 512m² of floor space, the building offers open-plan office accommodation across both floors, with higher internal ceilings creating a more spacious feel. The finished ceiling height is a generous 2.7m, with a 3.1m module height.

Flexibility was also an important part of the design. Two meeting rooms are separated by a bi-fold partition, allowing them to be opened up into a larger conference or briefing space when needed. A dedicated driver lobby provides a practical entrance point, while the direct connection to the manufacturing facility creates a seamless link between the office and production areas.

Key features include:

16-module, 512m² modular building – providing modern office accommodation across two storeys
Open-plan office spaces – designed to support collaboration and flexible working
Flexible meeting facilities – with two meeting rooms that can be combined into a larger conference or briefing space
Contemporary external finish – with black corrugated plastisol cladding and Howdens-branded red external doors
Centralised air conditioning system – providing consistent temperature control throughout the building
Fire-resistant construction – designed to meet the required fire safety standards, particularly given the building’s proximity to neighbouring structures.

The completed building gives Howdens a modern and flexible workspace that supports both day-to-day operations and the company’s continued investment in modernising the site.

Sustainable construction

A building designed to be reused

The temporary nature of the building is central to its sustainability. The modules can be repurposed for future projects, helping to extend their useful life and reduce waste and minimise the need for new materials.

Our modular solutions are designed to be fast, flexible and sustainable, with minimal disruption during construction. Modules are constructed with zero waste to landfill, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of temporary buildings.

We’re also able to incorporate low- and zero-carbon technologies into our modules, including green roofs, heat pumps, smart sockets, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

Chat to our specialist team about your next project.