Industrial property and construction consultant sbh was appointed in 2011 to provide project management, planning and procurement services to support Johnston Sweepers’ plans to extend its Dorking factory in Surrey helping the company to improve its operation and production.
The 66,500 sq ft £11 million extension, which includes 61,000 sq ft of industrial factory and 5,500 sq ft of office, links onto the existing building with 5 additional level-access loading doors.
Acting as Employer’s Agent and Project Manager, sbh advised Johnston Sweepers on putting together the project team, managed the main contractor tender and helped modify the original planning permission to gain approval.
Consolidating Johnston Sweepers’ three existing sites based in Surrey and Kent into one, the Dorking factory now houses the company’s entire production eliminating the complex logistics required to operate the multi-site structure and strengthening its operating efficiency.
Enhancements include a new paint shop, a modern test centre, assembly and storage facilities designed to deliver improved lead times and higher quality levels.
Built to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating the facility is now ready for fit out which will include state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical services.
Project Manager Fernando Jorge commented: ‘Situated on an awkward sloping site, the team worked well together to manage and deliver an excellent scheme that not only met our client’s expectations, but was achieved within the project budget.’
Nigel Brunning, Financial Controller at Johnston Sweepers, said: ‘The factory extension at Dorking was a major strategic development to modernise our production facilities and increase our business efficiency by consolidating the business onto one site.
‘About 100 permanent staff at the previous sites have been offered jobs at the new manufacturing plant in Dorking.
‘sbh was chosen for its track record in managing large scale industrial projects. The team monitored and managed the entire works ensuring the scheme went as smoothly as possible – we are very happy with the completed project.’
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