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Resort Brokers Australia MD Ian Crooks generally does not struggle to get enthusiastic about things. This is especially the case when the topic of conversation turns to either motel development or the All Blacks. Having said that, it isn’t particularly often I see him get very excited. One obvious exception was New Zealand’s World Cup win in 2011. I saw a similar glint in his eye when we met last week Michele Leone, the director of R.I. Kenco.‘Who are R.I. Kenco’, I hear you ask. Well, R.I Kenco is the recently established

Australian distributor for specialist Italian construction company, R.I. Spa Modular Building Systems. Located in the heel of the Italian boot in a small town called Trepuzzi, R.I Spa was established by founder Salvatore Tafuro in 1985. Its core business throughout this time has focussed on the planning, construction, sale and leasing of prefabricated, modular and structural units, particularly in the building of civil and military villages.R.I Spa is particularly well known for their role in international operations, regularly providing quick construction solution and

Modular building systems with the quality of Italian stylingALEX COOK - RESORT BROKERS AUSTRALIA

Editorial

general logistical assistance in ‘emergency territories’. For example, the company played an important support role to the Italian Armed Forces during their military and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. With over 25 years of experience in this niche sector and having set up further offices in Kosovo, Albania and Greece, R.I. Spa have established a leadership in the field of construction of prefabricated buildings industrially produced to specific requirements.The central foundations of R.I. Spa’s design ethos falls into three distinct

Flat pack Modus leaves the R. I. Spa factory ready for the international shipping

Internal concept

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categories. First of all, their prefabricated constructions are designed to keep the time between ordering and completion to an absolute minimum. This ‘quick deployment’ ethos means that units can be built to a precise specification in the factory within a month, transported to their destination, and then erected in one day. Applying a ‘turnkey’ approach, these pre-fabricated units are fully functional from the moment they are installed, with all fittings, fixtures, furniture and electrics ready to go.A second core attribute to R.I. Spa’s design is the importance placed on building long-lasting goods. Given the fact that their constructions are often used in war zones and areas recently ravaged by natural disaster, this is not surprising. As the trusted supplier to major international businesses and government organisations, their products are built to an array of international standards. The third focus of R.I. Spa’s design is essentially aesthetics. Although their products are built to an industrial standard, they do not necessarily look that way. When it comes to making their products pleasing to the eye, it’s not hard to tell that company has firm Italian roots! A quick review of the photos accompanying this article should demonstrate this well, as does this Puglian country mansion that the company renovated as a side project - www.masseriaprovenzani.com Anyway, back to my first point; ‘Why was Ian so excited’? Well, R.I. has put all their knowledge and expertise into a product designed for the Australian market, specifically for the motel/worker

accommodation sector. And, given their history, it’s not hard to see why. We have vast country with countless remote and harsh locations. We also have an array of industries reliant on accessing these locations. These same companies require swift and flexible construction options to service their needs in these locations. The demand for a product that reduces the expense and time involved in constructing accommodation is clear.The Modus Mobile Home is a product that aims to fill this market. Constructed in the factory in Italy to purchaser specifications, the units are flat-packed, shipped to Australia, then deployed to site for installation. The whole process takes roughly 2 months; 4 weeks in the factory, 35 days shipping, a couple of days to get to site, then 1 day installation. Of course, while a developer is laying down the foundations and creating the head works to a new motel site, the units are already being constructed in the factory. The time involved in building a new complex is therefore drastically reduced.These units are also remarkably good value. Depending on specifications, they will be generally be priced in the $50,000 - $60,000 bracket, whereas a motel room built in the traditional manner would be cost $100,000-120,000. This price includes the team of Italian supervisors who escort the unit to site and carry out the installation. If you’d like to go to Italy to check out their operation, they will happily accommodate you at the R.I Spa Resort in Lecce!The lack of expense does not impact on the quality of the units. The frames are constructed of galvanized steel, they

adhere to a number of Australian and international standards and, for those in FNQ, they are cyclone rated. The quality is not just structural; the units are finished to a very high standard internally, with plenty of Italian design touches. There are endless colour and layout options on offer. Although these pre-fabs quickly become sturdy and established fixed structures once they are installed, they can be uninstalled and taken to a new location as quickly as they arrived. From a developer’s point of view, this is critical. Rather than lending the money to purchase the required amount of modules, most banks will simply arrange a lease. This is due to the fact that if the developer defaults, they can simply come and take them back. No security is required. This means that a developer does not need to factor in the cost of building the units, drastically reducing the amount of capital required to get a project off the ground (or increasing the amount of rooms possible for an existing project). This can better explained by the table opposite.So, it’s not hard to see why Ian was so enthusiastic about these new flat-pack units. They have the potential to revolutionise the industry. R.I. Kenco will be conducting open show room events in the near future. This will be an opportunity for everyone to have a close look at a fully installed unit and to speak with Mik, R.I. Kenco’s director.

For further information on these events, please either contact us at Resort Brokers Australia or contact Mik directly on mleone@rikenco.com.au

“Priced at between $50,000-$60,000 per motel unit and a build time of XX weeks from start to finish, this system offers an affordable option with the stylish aesthetics of Italian design” Ian Crooks, Managing Director

RESORT BROKERS AUSTRALIA

Visual of the beauty of the stack-able product: 2 bedroom with larger side balcony

Visual of the beauty of the stack-able product: 3 bedroom with smaller front balcony