FP McCann’s Precast Concrete Vehicle Docking System installed at new Screwfix distribution facility

Status: Completed

Location: Lichfield

Division: Dock Leveller Pits

Main Contractor: Winvic Construction / Prologis

Market Sector: Commercial

FP McCann’s Precast Concrete Vehicle Docking System installed at new Screwfix distribution facility

FP McCann’s specialist precast concrete installation team has recently completed the build of a multi-vehicle docking system on a brand new 562,000ft2 distribution centre in Fradley near Lichfield, Staffs.

Once opened in October this year, the ‘large shed’ distribution facility build will provide warehousing and a central transport hub for Screwfix, the UK’s largest distributor of hardware and plumbing products. The £20 million DC1 project is being undertaken by Winvic Construction, on behalf of logistics property developer Prologis, and is one of many Staffordshire dock system jobs FP McCann has recently supplied and installed in partnership with Winvic.

FP McCann delivered a package of off-site manufactured precast docking system products designed for speedy, efficient and safe installation. The new warehouse will provide loading dock leveller ramps for up to 80 vehicles at any one time. Each dock leveller ramp is fully supported by a precast concrete dock leveller pit. The precast pits are formed from a combination of front walls, retaining walls and biscuit slabs. The biscuit slab spans from the front wall to the rear retaining wall to form an opening for the dock leveller ramp to sit in. These panels form a continuous precast structure for multiple pit installations. Above the dock leveller pits are 336 linear metres of insulated double prowall panels. Each panel is 8m long x 3.8m high, weighs over 7 tonnes and is supplied complete with 2nr 3.00m x 3.00m openings for access.

Installation of the dock leveller pits and insulated prowall panels was completed over a 3 week period. Transported from the Company’s Byley facility in Cheshire, the dock leveller pits, together with the large double prowall panels and door openings, were delivered to site on a just-in-time delivery schedule. Once on site, the walls and panels were lifted from the vehicles and placed into position in one single, safe operation. The panels were then secured to the building’s steel frame.

Commenting on the construction, Nick Lakin, Project Manager for Winvic at Fradley says, “This precast concrete system lends itself in particular to a safe and efficient build. Speed of installation means that vehicles can be quickly turned around and no site stocking of product is necessary. FP McCann’s fixing team are fully versed in this docking system, and their working method complements the Winvic site construction practices. Utilisation of the FP McCann precast docking system dramatically reduces the installation time when compared to more traditional construction methods. Offsite manufacture in a factory controlled environment also improves the quality of the finished building and reduces exposure to onsite risks such as health and safety factors and the weather.”

For more information on FP McCann’s precast concrete Dock Leveller Pit Systems, please contact our Weston Underwood office on 01335 361269 or email: sales@fpmccann.co.uk