The modular future

Whether student accommodation, temporary housing, office buildings, or modern private homes – prefabricated living units are gaining importance across Europe. The advantages are obvious: while foundations are still being prepared on site, the modules are already being manufactured under controlled factory conditions. This significantly reduces construction time while ensuring consistently high quality.

In the modern production halls of SC Steelframes in Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium, fully equipped residential modules of this kind are manufactured. Within just a few years, the company has developed into a major manufacturer of modular housing in the Benelux countries and Germany.

Precision work during loading

Between production and installation lies a logistical challenge. The often fully finished modules must be transported safely and on schedule to their final destination. To achieve this, SCG Logistics, a partner company of SC Steelframes, relies on a powerful fleet and has recently expanded it with five MAX110 semi-trailers and five MAX510 low-bed trailers.

As usual, the production hall is a hive of activity. “Tonight, several transports are heading out again, this time towards the Netherlands,” says employee Anton before returning to the ongoing loading process. Slowly, the gantry transport system begins to move, carrying a finished residential module out of the hall towards the waiting MAX110. “This is the smaller unit today,” Anton explains. “Around ten metres long and 4.65 metres wide.”

Via radio, driver and spotter coordinate their actions as the load is positioned centimetre by centimetre on the trailer. A few minutes later, the module sits precisely in place.

MAX Trailer in night-time operation

The pace remains high. Another residential module is already rolling out of the hall. This time, a new MAX510 low-bed trailer has been prepared, with its low loading deck previously telescoped precisely to the required length. Anton checks the dimensions once more. “There’s not much space left. Every centimetre really counts.” With a width of 5.10 metres and a height of 3.75 metres, the module places high demands on both vehicle and crew. Once the final lashing straps are secured, the combinations are moved to the staging area at the edge of the factory site. The 17.5” pendle-axles of the MAX510 also demonstrate their strengths in such projects. They provide the necessary manoeuvrability to handle narrow access roads and demanding construction sites. While the vehicles are being prepared for their night-time operation, Anton is already back inside the production hall, where the next modules are waiting for transport.

At 9 p.m. sharp, the four heavy transport combinations set off. Ahead of them lie many kilometres through the night – behind them, a plant where the next residential units are already taking shape.

Publication: 07/2026