Spaceway fits out hi-tech distribution centre

CooperVision, the world's third largest contact lens makers, turned to the Spaceway Group to turn a shell into a hi-tech central distribution centre.

When it came to choosing a company with the technical ability, project management skills and design capabilities to turn a shell into a hi-tech central distribution centre as part of its new European HQ, CooperVision, the world's third largest contact lens makers, turned to the Spaceway Group.

Now Romsey based Spaceway, a leading UK provider of integrated interior space solutions, has completed the fit-out of the centre, which encompasses 11,000 square metres of warehousing and office accommodation.

The world's largest third contact lens maker and number one manufacturer of soft toric lenses, CooperVision's recent acquisition of Ocular Sciences together with year on year growth necessitated the company expanding into new premises in Segensworth near Portsmouth.

Looking for a company that had the credentials to fit out the hi-tech central distribution centre, CooperVision selected several contractors to tender for the project.

Impressed with Spaceway's enthusiasm, fast response times and willingness to help with designs prior to tender, Andrew Hammond, CooperVision's European Projects Director awarded the contract to the Spaceway Group.

Comprising of high bay pallet racking, carton live racking designed to integrate with a Knapp automated conveyor system, two-tier warehouse offices complete with integral mezzanine floor and labelling for over 100,000 pallet locations, Spaceway has turned the space into a fully functional distribution centre.

"Even before we went out to tender, Spaceway was willing to work with us on designs and respond quickly to our requests", says Andrew Hammond.

"Added to this Spaceway's first rate reputation and competitive pricing ensured they were awarded the contract".

In order to accommodate both pallet storage and picking, Spaceway suggested that the area was divided into two sections.

Section one included the installation of high bay pallet racking in two areas with the layout designed to accommodate a VNA man-up forklift.

In order to meet insurance requirements relating to sprinkler systems, section two was fitted out with mesh decking to accommodate the storage and picking of cartons.

Anti-collapse mesh was fitted to the pallet racking in areas of concentrated pedestrian activity to prevent items falling on employees.

To accommodate the fastest moving lines amounting to 3000 stock keeping units (sku's), BITO carton live racking was designed and installed to integrate with an automated Knapp conveyor system to transport picked items to the packaging and despatch areas.

Finally, Spaceway installed 100,000 labels in both areas of the warehouse to provide racking identification, bin locations and equipment.

To complete the project Spaceway designed and installed the warehouse offices, which comprised of a single storey office and two, two storey offices complete with integral mezzanine floors.

The offices were constructed using the latest steel faced industrial partitioning and ceilings and finished with floor coverings, recessed modular light fittings and skirting trunking for telecoms and computer outlets.

"The project was delivered on time and the quality of finish was absolutely first class." concluded Andrew Hammond.

"We are delighted with the finished job which meets all our requirements".

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