Without the direct lines of communication at all levels from the top down and the willingness to find solutions as issues arose or changes to specifications were needed, this project simply couldn't have been delivered on time. The flexibility and excellent understanding built up between our teams ensured that the project was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.
Technology Logistics Expansion
The Technology Division of a major logistics company based in Milton Keynes took the decision to close a 200,000 ft2 warehouse facility, from which it had been running an important software supplier contract. It needed to relocate this part of the business to another existing technology distribution facility in the same town.
Problem
In order to accommodate the increased business, this facility needed to increase its capacity substantially.When the logistics company weighed up the options it became clear that a mezzanine floor within the existing facility would provide the capacity required, would be cost-effective to install, would improve the productivity of the site and, importantly, the upgraded facilities could be brought on-stream very quickly. The real challenge, however, was to accomplish both the installation of the new mezzanine and the relocation of the warehouse stock to the new facility without disrupting the existing warehouse operation or the service levels agreed under the software company's contract.
Requirement
It was decided to install a two-tier mezzanine to allow for further expansion in the future. This would provide an additional 37,000 ft2 of floor area with a loading rating of 5.5kN/m2 allowing for storage and light industrial use. The floors had to incorporate seven staircases and six pallet gates together with full safety protection systems. Before the final specification could be agreed the concrete floor needed to be tested for strength and suitability and then detailed plans would be needed for Building Regulations approval. In addition to the mezzanine, the main contractor was to be responsible for the efficient installation of all other services including ducting, fresh air, all electrics, fabrication of offices and a Board Room, 560 bays of shelving and fire protection including a sprinkler system.
By the time the selection process had been completed and the necessary guarantees and warranties put in place for the landlord, the maximum site time available before the immovable deadline was just 16 weeks. In addition to the original project requirements, tests on the concrete floor revealed the need to strengthen it considerably to take the weight of the double floor mezzanine concentrated on columns spaced at 6m intervals. This meant that 16m piles beneath each column were needed to take the weight of the mezzanine and all this additional work had to be completed within the 16 week period.
Solution
Due to the very tight deadlines, channels of communication were kept short with senior level, decision-maker contacts established to ensure that complex issues were identified and dealt with without delay.
The whole project from initial order to completion was delivered in just under 16 weeks. The logistics company has been able to relocate its software contract business in its entirety without any negative impact on service levels for this or any of its other technology contracts. The consolidation of its technology distribution facilities has produced very significant operational and financial benefits. The relatively low cost of the installation combined with the efficiency gains from greatly increasing the usable space within an existing facility mean that the pay-back period on the investment will be extremely short.
Specifications
