408- Timber-Frame Construction update ft. Norm Roberts

On the Perth Property Show, host Trent Fleskens speaks with Norm Roberts, Managing Director and Executive Chairman of Offsite, about WA’s shift toward panellised, timber-framed construction. Norm explains Offsite’s origins (founded 2009, pivoted in 2019, purchased by his group in 2024) and its scale-up from 25 staff in a 3,000sqm site to 160+ staff in an 11,000sqm factory, now producing flat-packed wall, roof, floor and stair panels (not modular) that can reach lock-up quickly, with windows and doors installed in-factory. They discuss logistics advantages, energy performance (around 7.5+ NatHERS), carbon storage potential, builder resistance to factory-installed plumbing/electrical, developer demand for higher-yield townhouse projects, current capacity targets, timber sourcing from WA plantations, fire/bushfire ratings up to BAL 40, and expansion plans including a larger second facility plus applications beyond housing such as aged care, lifestyle villages, classrooms and other repeatable buildings.