• Galvanized Carbon Steel (Q235B/Q355B): The primary material for Lida Group’s steel frames, Q235B and Q355B are low-alloy carbon steels known for their high tensile strength (235 MPa and 355 MPa, respectively) and excellent weldability. These steels are galvanized—coated with a thin layer of zinc—to resist corrosion, extending the frame’s lifespan to 50+ years. Galvanized carbon steel is ideal for most climates, from humid tropical regions to dry deserts, as it prevents rust even in harsh conditions.

• Stainless Steel (304 Grade): For projects in extreme environments—such as coastal areas with saltwater air or industrial zones with chemical exposure—Lida Group uses 304-grade stainless steel. This alloy contains chromium and nickel, which form a passive oxide layer that resists corrosion and staining. While stainless steel is more expensive than galvanized carbon steel, it eliminates the need for frequent maintenance, making it cost-effective in the long run for high-risk locations.

• Digital Design Optimization: Lida Group’s engineers use Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to design steel frames in 3D. This software allows for precise calculations of load-bearing capacity, wind resistance, and seismic performance, ensuring the frame can withstand local environmental conditions. For example, a steel frame for a house in earthquake-prone Japan will be engineered with extra bracing to meet the country’s strict seismic standards, while a frame for a coastal house in Australia will include corrosion-resistant joints to withstand saltwater exposure.

• Standardized Modular Components: While frames are customized for each project, Lida Group uses standardized modular components (such as beams, columns, and connectors) to ensure consistency and reduce manufacturing time. These components are designed to be compatible with one another, allowing for flexible configurations—from a 20-square-meter studio to a 200-square-meter family home.

• Advanced Connection Systems: The strength of a steel frame depends on its connections. Lida Group uses high-strength bolts and welded joints that meet AWS D1.1 (American Welding Society) standards. Welds are inspected using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods—such as ultrasonic testing—to ensure they are free of defects. Bolted connections are pre-tensioned to specific torque values, ensuring they remain secure even under heavy loads or vibrations.

• Multi-Layer Corrosion Protection: Beyond galvanization, Lida Group applies a high-performance epoxy primer and polyurethane topcoat to steel frames. This multi-layer system provides an extra barrier against moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation. In salt spray tests, frames with this coating showed no signs of corrosion after 1,000 hours—equivalent to 20 years of exposure in a coastal environment.

• Edge Protection: Sharp edges on steel components are rounded or coated with rubber to prevent damage during transportation and assembly, and to reduce the risk of injury to workers.

• Weather Seals: Joints and connections are sealed with weather-resistant gaskets to prevent water infiltration, which can cause corrosion from the inside out. This is particularly important for houses in rainy or humid climates, where moisture can accumulate in hidden spaces.

• Bulk Purchasing: Lida Group buys steel in large quantities—up to 10,000 tons per month—from global suppliers. This bulk purchasing power allows the company to negotiate discounts of 15–20% compared to small-scale buyers. For example, the company’s annual contract with a Chinese steel mill reduces the cost of Q235B galvanized steel by 18% compared to spot market prices.

• Regional Sourcing: To reduce transportation costs, Lida Group sources steel from regional suppliers whenever possible. The company has partnerships with steel mills in China, India, Brazil, and Germany, allowing it to source steel locally for projects in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. This cuts transportation costs by 30–40% compared to importing steel from a single global supplier.

• Recycled Steel Integration: Lida Group incorporates 30–40% recycled steel into its frames. Recycled steel has the same strength and quality as virgin steel but costs 20% less to produce. Using recycled steel also reduces the company’s carbon footprint, as recycling steel uses 74% less energy than producing virgin steel (according to the World Steel Association).

• CNC Precision Cutting: Steel components are cut using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, which operate with an accuracy of ±0.1 mm. This eliminates human error and reduces material waste to less than 2%—compared to 8–10% waste in manual cutting processes. The CNC machines also operate 24/7, increasing production capacity and reducing per-unit labor costs.

• Robotic Welding: Welding is performed by automated robots that follow pre-programmed paths. These robots produce consistent, high-quality welds that meet AWS D1.1 standards, eliminating the need for expensive skilled welders. Robotic welding also reduces welding time by 50% compared to manual welding, further lowering labor costs.

• Just-In-Time Production: Lida Group uses a just-in-time (JIT) production system, where components are manufactured only when needed for a specific project. This reduces inventory costs and eliminates waste from overproduction. For example, if a project requires 50 steel beams, the factory will produce exactly 50 beams—no more, no less.

• Pre-Drilled Holes and Markings: All steel components come with pre-drilled holes and clear markings that indicate their position in the frame. This eliminates the need for on-site measuring, drilling, or cutting, reducing assembly time by 60% compared to traditional steel frames.

• Lightweight Components: Lida Group’s steel frames are designed to be lightweight—with beams and columns weighing 20–30% less than traditional steel frames—while maintaining strength. This means that components can be carried and installed by 2–3 unskilled workers, without the need for heavy equipment like cranes. For example, a 3-meter steel beam weighs just 15 kg, making it easy to handle manually.

• Simplified Connection Systems: The frame’s bolted connections use standard tools (such as wrenches) and require no specialized skills. Workers can be trained to assemble the frame in just 1 hour, eliminating the need for expensive skilled labor. A team of 2–3 unskilled workers can assemble a 30-square-meter steel frame in 4–6 hours—compared to 12–16 hours for a traditional steel frame requiring skilled welders.

• Compact Packaging: Steel components are packaged in flat, stackable bundles that maximize space in shipping containers or trucks. A single 40-foot shipping container can hold enough components for 5–6 steel frames, compared to 2–3 frames for traditional steel packaging. This reduces the number of shipments needed, cutting transportation costs by 30–40%.

• Local Assembly Hubs: For large regional projects, Lida Group establishes temporary assembly hubs near the project site. Steel components are shipped to the hub in bulk, then assembled into frames locally. This reduces the size and weight of shipments, lowering transportation costs and simplifying on-site delivery. For example, in a 500-house project in Kenya, Lida Group set up a hub in Nairobi, where components were assembled into frames before being transported to the project site—cutting transportation costs by 35%.

• Inventory Optimization: Lida Group uses software to track inventory and coordinate deliveries, ensuring that components arrive at the site exactly when needed. This eliminates the need for on-site storage, which can be expensive and risky (components may be damaged or stolen). For remote projects, the company coordinates with local logistics partners to ensure timely delivery, even in areas with poor infrastructure.

Quality Requirements: The houses needed to meet India’s National Building Code (NBC) standards for seismic resistance (zone III) and durability (minimum 50-year lifespan). Lida Group’s steel frames were engineered with extra bracing for seismic protection and multi-layer corrosion coating for durability.

Cost Targets: The government required each house to cost no more than \(15,000 (including materials, labor, and logistics). Lida Group’s steel frames cost \)2,500 per house—30% less than traditional concrete frames—allowing the total house cost to meet the target.

Project Timeline: The government needed the complex to be completed in 6 months to avoid delays in PMAY targets. Lida Group’s automated manufacturing and easy assembly allowed the 1,000 houses to be completed in 5 months—1 month ahead of schedule.

Community Impact: The houses provide safe, durable shelter for 5,000 people. Each house has 2 bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a bathroom, with steel frames that can withstand earthquakes and monsoon rains. A post-occupancy survey found that 94% of residents reported feeling “safer and more secure” in their new homes compared to their previous slum dwellings.

Quality Requirements: The warehouse frame needed to support heavy shelving and machinery, with a minimum lifespan of 30 years. Lida Group used Q355B galvanized steel for the frame, which has a higher tensile strength than Q235B, and added extra cross-bracing to support heavy loads. The frame was also coated with a multi-layer corrosion system to withstand humidity.

Cost Targets: The company’s budget for the frame was \(150,000. Lida Group delivered the frame for \)120,000—20% under budget—by leveraging bulk steel purchasing and automated manufacturing.

Project Timeline: The company needed the warehouse to be operational within 3 months to avoid production delays. Lida Group’s steel frame was manufactured in 4 weeks and assembled on-site in 2 weeks, allowing the warehouse to open on schedule.

Operational Impact: The steel frame warehouse has operated without issues for 2 years, with

• Quality Requirements: The houses needed to resist corrosion from dust and heat, withstand wind speeds of up to 120 km/h (common in dust storms), and provide adequate insulation for worker comfort. Lida Group used Q235B galvanized steel frames with a multi-layer heat-resistant coating, and added wind-resistant bracing to the frames. The frames were also paired with insulated sandwich panels to maintain cool indoor temperatures.

• Cost Targets: The company’s budget for the 200 houses was \(4 million, or \)20,000 per house. Lida Group delivered each house (including the steel frame and panels) for $18,000—10% under budget—by using regional steel sourcing (from a Perth-based mill) and simplified assembly that required no heavy equipment.

• Project Timeline: The mining company needed the houses to be ready within 8 weeks to avoid delaying worker onboarding. Lida Group manufactured the steel frames in 3 weeks, shipped them to the mine site via off-road trucks in 1 week, and assembled the 200 houses in 4 weeks—meeting the deadline.

• Worker Impact: The houses have provided comfortable, durable shelter for 400 workers. The steel frames have withstood multiple dust storms without damage, and the insulated panels have kept indoor temperatures 15–20°C cooler than outdoor temperatures. A worker survey found that 91% rated the housing “better than expected,” and absenteeism due to heat-related illness dropped by 30% compared to the company’s previous temporary housing.