sbh.uk - Mixed-Use Development - Lincolnshire, Spalding
Date: 09 Jan 2002
Specialist distribution property consultant sbh.uk has recently completed the project management of a £4m development for Geest plc, on time and within budget. Based at an existing Geest site in Spalding, Lincolnshire, the development comprises a temperature controlled warehouse and offices and has combined all the site's activities together in a single unit. The new centre is for the dispatch of fresh food products to leading high street food retailers.
Project manager for sbh.uk Rob Holloway commented on the tight timescale: "Our brief was to provide a 6,000 sq m chill store using the latest energy-efficient technology and a complete suite of offices, within a strictly controlled budget. We were instructed by Geest in October 2000, and within the five months to starting on site on 12th February 2001, we had designed the project, applied for and gained planning permission, gone out to tender and negotiated a price with the selected main contractor R G Carter". As well as project management, sbh.uk's team included consulting engineers, cost consultants and planning supervisors.
sbh.uk worked closely with supply chain software management company Manhatten Associates in designing the internal materials flow and storage configuration. Manhatten's PkMS software, part of its Fulfillment suite of packages, handles ordering, receipt, stock, replenishment, allocation and shipping management, to ensure accurate and dependable deliveries to Geest's retail clients.
At the heart of the new warehouse, designed to store 5,000 pallets at a temperature of 2°C, lies an advanced, safe and energy-efficient cooling system, which will help Geest to minimise both capital and running costs. According to sbk.uk's figures, the Geest warehouse worked out at some 13% lower cost per square metre than the average UK price for cool stores and will consume around 22% less energy than a traditional R404a refrigerant system.
The Ammonia/Glycol refrigeration system is only marginally more expensive than using ammonia as the coolant, but eliminates the potential damage of ammonia leakage within the warehouse and is housed in an external plant room. With space on the site for another warehouse of the same size, Geest has the potential to double its storage capacity in the future.
Constructed on a steel portal frame, the warehouse provides 10m of internal headroom, with the temperature maintained by insulated steel panels and hygienic white internal walling. A 50m service yard provides access to 12 loading docks, two of which are designed to accommodate double deck trailers. Other external works include a 7.5 m concrete approach road and landscaping around the building.
The offices are fully air conditioned with a mixture of open plan and cellular design. The ground floor comprises the main reception, warehouse entrance, management offices and ancillary areas such as staff changing rooms and the canteen.
Geest's general manager Terry Moore commented: "This is Geest plc's biggest investment in a dedicated warehouse for many years. sbk.uk has a strong track record for delivering projects on time and within budget and they maintained their record on this project which was completed in barely nine months from the time we first instructed."
Related website: sbh.uk
Where do I go now?: » View the latest news items » View the news archive » Subscribe to Weekly Construction Newsletter » Submit news
