The construction industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by an increased focus on environmental sustainability and productivity, and the growing importance of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. In the last three years alone, there have been over 425,000 patents filed and granted in the construction industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Modular construction in construction: modular truss assemblyBuy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 232,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the construction industry, there are 80+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Modular truss assembly is a key innovation area in modular construction

Modular truss assembly refers to a structural system that consists of individual truss components that can be customized and assembled on site. These components are usually prefabricated for ease of installation and can be quickly assembled into a complete truss structure.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies.  According to GlobalData, there are 100 companies, spanning technology vendors, established construction companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of modular truss assembly.

Key players in modular truss assembly – a disruptive innovation in the construction industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.   

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.  

Patent volumes related to modular truss assembly

Company Total patents (2010 - 2022) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
Patco 80 Unlock Company Profile
Protektorwerk Florenz Maisch 32 Unlock Company Profile
Eaton 25 Unlock Company Profile
California Expanded Metal Products 24 Unlock Company Profile
Vallourec 23 Unlock Company Profile
Fortress Iron 17 Unlock Company Profile
Vestas Wind Systems 15 Unlock Company Profile
Nucor 14 Unlock Company Profile
PERI 13 Unlock Company Profile
Konecranes 13 Unlock Company Profile
Just Biofiber Structural Solutions 13 Unlock Company Profile
Brand Industrial Services 13 Unlock Company Profile
HILTI 12 Unlock Company Profile
Schindler 12 Unlock Company Profile
Royal BAM Group 12 Unlock Company Profile
HNTB 12 Unlock Company Profile
3G Capital 12 Unlock Company Profile
Keystone Lintels 11 Unlock Company Profile
China State Construction Engineering 11 Unlock Company Profile
Simpson Manufacturing 10 Unlock Company Profile
Gebr Knauf 9 Unlock Company Profile
Heintzmann 8 Unlock Company Profile
BlueScope Steel 8 Unlock Company Profile
J van Walraven 8 Unlock Company Profile
General Electric 7 Unlock Company Profile
Boeing 7 Unlock Company Profile
Comcast 7 Unlock Company Profile
AutoStore 7 Unlock Company Profile
Nexans 6 Unlock Company Profile
AGCO 6 Unlock Company Profile
Voestalpine 6 Unlock Company Profile
ArianeGroup 6 Unlock Company Profile
Tata Steel 6 Unlock Company Profile
Les Enceintes Acoustiques Unisson 6 Unlock Company Profile
Magna International 6 Unlock Company Profile
Bailey Metal Products 6 Unlock Company Profile
HELUZ cihlarsky prumysl vos 6 Unlock Company Profile
Pluseight Technology 6 Unlock Company Profile
Kunshan Ecological Building Technology 5 Unlock Company Profile
WholeTrees 5 Unlock Company Profile
Studco Australia 5 Unlock Company Profile
Global Truss America 5 Unlock Company Profile
FIREFREE COATINGS 4 Unlock Company Profile
Airbus 4 Unlock Company Profile
Hunter Douglas 4 Unlock Company Profile
Henan Auspic Technology 3 Unlock Company Profile
Stanley Black & Decker 3 Unlock Company Profile
Zurecon 3 Unlock Company Profile
Televes 3 Unlock Company Profile
Ash & Lacy Building Systems 3 Unlock Company Profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Patco and Protektorwerk Florenz Maisch are among the leading patent filers in modular truss assembly. Other key filers are Vallourec, which is a leading producer of seamless steel tubes and hollow sections for the industrial market, and PERI, whose combinations of frame and modular scaffold provide for the development of complex facades.

In terms of application diversity, Nucor leads the pack, while Stanley Black & Decker and Firefree Coatings stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Patco held the top position, followed by PERI and Just Biofiber Structural Solutions.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the construction industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Construction.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.