<p>Countryside is to close its new modular factory in Bardon following a review of its manufacturing facilities, it said today (July 21).</p> <p>Issuing a third quarter trading update covering the period from April 1 to June 30 2022, the partnerships-led housebuilder said it would “exit” the MMC (modern methods of construction) site, one of three that it owns.</p> <p>This follows <a href="http://www.house-builder.co.uk/news/countryside-makes-changes-raise-game/">a review of the company’s 128 operational sites earlier this year</a>, prompting cost reductions due to improperly managed expansion plans. Countryside also discovered <span>“excess manufacturing capacity” within its timber frame facilities. The 350,000 sq ft factory in Bardon opened in summer 2021. In its update, Countryside said it expected the closure to reduce the run rate of its manufacturing losses.</span></p> <p><span>During Q3, the challenged business said it had identified “at least” </span>£15 million of savings on an annualised basis, with delivery “well underway”. </p> <p>Trading during the period showed “good progress towards an exclusively Partnerships business”. This follows its decision in July 2021 to wind down its Housebuilding arm. According to reports in late 2020, significant shareholder Browning West had pressured the housebuilder to concentrate exclusively on its Partnerships model.</p> <p>Its Partnerships completions during Q3 were similar to Q3 …