Due to ongoing success within its stores, Debenhams is opening a new, large distribution centre on the Sherburn Distribution Park near Leeds in West Yorkshire.
The popular retailer has agreed a 27 year lease on a 667,000sqft warehouse unit, in a deal that is said to be the largest regional industrial property letting of the year. Work has already commenced on the colossal operation, and in April RDA Projects will start work on a four-level mezzanine floor and complex cartooned stock and hanging garment storage system.
Nottingham-based RDA, which is carrying out work on the Debenhams development for main contractor McLaren Construction, is a highly respected structural steel mezzanine floor specialist with decades of experience. Offering unrivalled structural engineering expertise, technical support and attentive service to a wide range of clients, from architects, to construction companies through to estates and facilities management professionals, leading retailers and end-users, the company has successfully completed projects for a broad portfolio of blue-chip clients, including such household names as SpecSavers, Next, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
This Debenhams contract is worth £5 million, and is the biggest single job RDA has undertaken to date, although over 90% of its business year-on-year is repeat and many clients have spent millions more than this with RDA in the past 15 years.
In actual fact, the company will be on-site for 26 weeks, with sub-contractor Shannon Installations carrying out the building operation. Many of RDA’s long-established regular suppliers and partners will be involved in supporting the project. Wickens Engineering, for example, will be providing bespoke balustrade system components and other sundry metalwork. Hi-level will be supplying all of the hot rolled steelwork for the mezzanine structure, whilst Kingspan will be supplying the many kilometres of deck-support joists. The racking system has been designed by Dexion in close collaboration with RDA.
All installation teams have CSCS cards, comprehensive plant licences, first aid training, full personal protection equipment and a record of years of safe construction on-site
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2011, RDA is both Safe Contractor and CHAS accredited, CIS registered and a safety and risk management award-winning operator in the mezzanine marketplace. RDA’s three principle directors have more than 100 years cumulative experience in the mezzanine industry, throughout the UK and mainland Europe. This extensive expertise, particularly serving the UK professional construction industry, enables RDA to create practical solutions which are safe to erect, cost-effective and risk-managed.
RDA’s early involvement in a project has proven time and again that the best design ideas and savings are usually generated at the initial concept stage. All designs are produced using the latest computer technology, with information exchange being rapid, accurate and easily integrated with all other professionals involved.
With good warehousing space often at a premium, RDA’s innovative and carefully value-engineered designs can usually result in mezzanine floors paying for themselves in very quick time, making this demountable space-creation solution hugely attractive for buyers and lessees alike.
Many large distribution sheds are now being developed from the outset specifically with the intention of integrating a multi-level mezzanine floor and other materials handling systems, just like the Debenhams scheme, with suitable foundations or slab strengthening designed in at the architectural stage.
Mezzanine floors can be used for almost any space demand imaginable. So far the only construction RDA has not satisfied in the last decade is for fork lift truck use, where concrete is always the best solution. For every other application, RDA has the answer and a case study of a successful project to prove it.
Mezzanines, even of the most complex nature, are generally quick and easy to install with minimum disruption. Many are successfully installed into operational buildings where RDA’s professional project management service enables businesses to continue working safely whist construction works proceed.
To find out more about mezzanine floors, and to discover how your business can take advantage of this common sense approach to growth and expansion, telephone RDA Projects on 0115 911 0243. Alternatively, visit the website at www.rdaprojects.co.uk.
