CLOS building its new home in former Ford factory

A GEELONG modular building company is constructing itself a bigger home inside the former Ford factory.

Cross Laminated Offsite Solutions (CLOS) announced last month it was in the process of relocating into a 20,000sqm space at the North Geelong site after outgrowing its previous home at Avalon,

The new facility is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the former Ford factory – now owned by Melbourne developer Pelligra Group and known as Fortek Geelong – and will eventually include a high-tech conveyor line to improve productivity.

CLOS is also using the existing overhead gantry cranes at the site and will eventually scale up to producing between 500 to 1,000 prefabricated homes a year.

“We are excited about this new chapter in our company’s history and re-establishing manufacturing at the iconic Ford factory,” CLOS chief executive officer and managing director John Fitzgibbon said.

“The move to this new facility is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the support by our stakeholders and community.

“We look forward to moving to the new location and continuing to grow our business.”

Processing cross-laminated timber, CLOS specialise in renewable offsite construction solutions for mid-rise, multi-level, industrial, residential homes, transitional shelters, and design and development options.

CLOS says it will focus on employing team members from Geelong’s northern corridor, and has thanked its clients, partners, and employees for their continued support.

Pelligra Group bought the manufacturing facilities at Ford’s Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in 2019 for subdivision, and committed an initial $500 million towards developing the two sites.