RACK TO THE FUTURE
Further Information
2020 was the year that wasn’t, in most cases. Uncertainty and anxiety shrouded the economic landscape and for businesses, the prospect of facing an unprecedented pandemic, loomed large .
How would they cope? Did they or the Government deem them to be an essential business and would they have to furlough staff? In the midst of all this, one such business flew in the face of adversity, and faced the challenge head on.
Read on to find out more:
Advanced Air UK Ltd in Thetford had grand plans of expansion and had purchased a second factory in town with a view to moving several production lines in, which in turn would free up space to enhance and expand their already broad portfolio of air distribution and fire safety products. As part of this expansion, the new facility had to be readied before moving in could commence. A new roof, full electrical rewiring, floor preparation and painting was duly carried out before production lines were able to move forward from the existing factory in Burrell Way.
Chief instigators and protagonists to making sure this expansion plan and impending move ran smoothly, were Dave Burrows, senior manufacturing engineer and Jacky Clayton, purchasing and stock control manager for Advanced Air. During one particular visit to the business last summer, the subject of racking came up. The cantilever racking at their incumbent Burrell Way factory had seen better days and was priority number one to be replaced. At the same time, the headache of organising the vast amount of racking needed for the stock and aluminium extrusions that were to be held at the new Stephenson House factory, was discussed. In conjunction with Dexion storage centre in Kings Lynn and ourselves at Bearingboys, site surveys were undertaken and a proposal presented and towards the latter half of the year, the green light was given to proceed with both projects .
Because of the enormity of the tasks ahead and the logistical headache that comes with carrying on manufacturing and running a business, whilst commencement of reinstall and install of racking that holds primary material, (in this case steel and aluminium extrusions) deemed integral to the finished product. All parties agreed that it should be done in two stages; first, Burrell Way and the cantilever racking replacement, which would need to be turned around and completed expediently and then Stephenson House with it’s cantilever, APR pallet racking and longspan variants .
Starting phase 1 in the run up to Christmas and phase 2 commencement and completion occurring in February 2021, both projects went extremely well and Jacky & Advanced Air were very happy with the results. Advanced Air now have multiple production lines within their new facility, a stores racking system and cantilever racking that’s safe and structurally sound at their Stephenson Way factory, imaginably, the envy of any large business.
Thank you to Jacky for the opportunity to project manage the installation and all the team at Advanced Air involved with making the projects such a success. Another many thanks to Mr Danny Gladwin, project design and install manager at Dexion storage centre for his help in surveying and designing the vast amount of varied racking needed in both factories.
A successful project undertaken and completed with minimum fuss and an alliance partnership forged between three parties that wouldn’t hesitate to work collaboratively again, there is even already talk of more racking needed in the future!
Last Modified: 16th Mar 2021