Report Highlight: Our Operations

The contents of this post are shared from the "Operations" section of our 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report. We produce this report annually to document key performance metrics and provide an inside look at how we upheld our values in social and environmental responsibility. Click here to read the full report.

2021 At a Glance

30% increase in capacity with the opening of our second factory

64% increase in square feet of living space shipped

12% reduction in company-wide electricity consumption

36% reduction in operational carbon emissions per square foot of production

Year in Review

By all measures, 2021 was a year of incredible growth at Plant Prefab. We opened a second factory, scaling our operations by more than 30%, and shipped 66,153 square feet of living space—a 64% increase over the previous year. We completed a $30 million Series B financing round and expanded our team with experienced industry leaders. We navigated the persistent threats of COVID-19, labor shortages, and supply chain challenges to deliver for our clients and materially grow our business, and we did so without compromising our commitment to the planet.

As we prepared for the opening of our second factory, a 20,000-square-foot facility in Ontario, California (pictured below), we looked for ways to offset resource consumption in our existing operations. We determined that we could significantly reduce our electricity usage in our Rialto factory and headquarters by replacing the standard glass windows and doors with solar control low-e products, which we completed just before our Ontario factory came online in June. The result was a 12% reduction in company-wide electricity consumption from the prior year, even with the addition of a second factory. This and other efficiency upgrades helped us achieve a 36% reduction in operational carbon emissions per square foot of production. Together with purchased offsets, we were able to once again achieve net carbon neutrality in our operations in 2021.

Our new factory and administrative offices in Ontario, California

We also sought ways to reduce waste on our production floor, and our 2021 project mix offered the perfect opportunity. With a residential development based on four home types and a hospitality development comprised of consistent unit types, a significant portion of our 2021 projects were produced from standardized components utilizing a shared slate of materials. Such repeatability showcased the ability of our Plant Building System to optimize production and material efficiency, enabling a 40% reduction in waste per square foot of production compared to the prior year.

Plant Prefab has always been focused on responsible growth, and our 2021 operations demonstrated this resolve: We grew our physical footprint while reducing our carbon footprint, and we raised our output while lowering our waste.

We’re proud to have delivered on our commitments to Plant Prefab clients and
investors, while at the same time standing firm on our commitment to sustainable
operations.