To say that Century Homes’ chief executive Gerry McCaughey has strong views on the integration of technology in timber frame production is an understatement. One look around the Monaghan plant says all. Its highly automated production line comprises a number of impressive Weinmann and Randek machines, including the model used in Westbury’s Space4 plant, and a number of which are brand new. <br>“We’re continually investing in automation, as well as electronic communications such as digital cameras and laptops, and CAD,” says McCaughey. “We’ve recently invested well into six figures just on modifications to our HSB CAD software.<br>“If you don’t go down the automation route you’re going our of business, because you cannot compete with the high level of quality and output. Smaller companies have a decision to make, and those who don’t will rue the day they don’t make that investment.”<br>As for off-site fabrication, well that’s a sure thing too, says McCaughey. “It has to happen as sure as day follows night. We can’t go on building one block on top of another as we have for hundreds of years. It’s a slow tide but it’s a strong one.<br>“Century Homes is heavily investing in closed panels, pre-insulated and with plumbing …