ZEDfabric - Who we are?

ZEDfabric was born out the frustration that we as Architects felt when our clients tried to buy and install renewable energy equipment in the UK.

ZEDfabric was set up in 2004, together with Bill Dunster architects ZEDfactory Ltd, to develop a supply chain of components used in Zero Energy Development construction. We attempted to identify the components that are common to meet ZEDstandards and code for sustainable homes as well as the general sustainable building industry.

We have gained a wealth of experience of renewable energy systems having probably specified more of them than any other UK Architectural practice. We have seen them installed, been involved with their commissioning, and finally have bought and installed them ourselves.

During this time we have met many European and Chinese manufacturers of renewable energy equipment and heard of their frustration that in the UK all the profit is going to the accredited specialist supplier/installer 'middle men' rather than paying for the actual equipment. As a result we formed some very beneficial relationships with manufacturers who are keen that more of their products find it onto the UK market place affordably.

ZEDfabric - How we work?

The key to ZEDfabric are the consortium members. These are individuals or organisations who are willing to put their money up for us to spend in China and on shipping. In return for this faith and the three month wait while their equipment is on the high seas, consortium members get their equipment more or less at cost. It has been described as being loosely similar to the trading consortia that established themselves in the 17th Century to import tea and coffee to London where investors clubbed together to hire a ship and crew to sail to India.

To minimise risk we have evolved the company gently by finding sufficient people wanting equipment to fill one 20' shipping container at a time. To date our consortiums have been made up of a mixture of current ZEDfactory clients, ZEDfactory staff, and word of mouth customers. We have now formalised our offer and services and are extending it out to all comers.

We now also ask that every consortium member makes an additional investment into the company in order to buy stock to be sold by the ZEDshop. 60% of the net profit along with the original additional investment is then returned to the consortium member after 6 months. The aim of this is to return an income to ZEDfabric from over the counter sales to help subsidise the costs of administrating the import process, so hopefully lowering consortium prices further.