YORKON, the York-based Portakabin subsidiary, has won a major industry award for the second year running for its pioneering work in off-site construction.

The company was presented with the award for Off-Site Manufacturing Specialist of the Year at the Specialist Contractor Awards at the Park Lane Hilton in London.

Yorkon manufactures steel-framed modules at its factory in Huntington, while the foundation works are completed on-site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in only a few days ready for fitting out.

The awards, organised by Building magazine in association with the Department of Trade and Industry, were attended by 700 industry professionals.

Judges, consisting of an academy of 100 senior industry figures, including construction clients, leading architects and contractors, honoured Yorkon for its commitment to innovation in manufacturing, construction and design.

In their citation, the judges said: "Yorkon has done more than any other firm to grow the productive capacity of the off-site industry. In the course of doing this, it has transformed itself into one of Britain's leading experts on designing, costing, project managing and financing modular construction.

"As a result, Yorkon has been associated with many of the groundbreaking developments in British construction over the past five years.

"Then there is the increasing penetration of off-site manufacturing into the public sector, where Yorkon is helping to deliver projects such as Bradford Teaching Hospital, which was described by the client as 'splendid'."

Keith Blanshard, director and general manager of Yorkon, said: "We have received many awards for the groundbreaking buildings we have completed. However, to receive this award for Yorkon as a company, and for the second consecutive year, is a fantastic accolade and achievement for the team."

Updated: 11:20 Friday, December 10, 2004