We build warehouses designed to fit how your business operates, not just basic sheds with a roof. Leicestershire is at the heart of the UK's distribution network. Whether you need a large logistics park near the M1 or a storage building elsewhere in the county, Warehouse Construction Contractors manages the whole process from start to finish. Whether you need a new build, an extension, or a refurbishment, we take care of everything from the first site visit to the final handover.
There has been an incredible amount of warehouse development throughout Leicestershire because of its location at the centre of the "Golden Triangle" of the Logistics Industry. This "Golden Triangle", which includes both Manchester and Birmingham, allows for virtually all areas of the United Kingdom to be accessed via a four-hour tractor-trailer delivery. Because of this alone, the county is now one of the busiest distribution hubs in the country and many large national operators have chosen to locate their bases of operation in Leicestershire.
A perfect example of the amount of warehouse space available in the county is Magna Park in Lutterworth. The Magna Park is one of the largest dedicated distribution parks in Europe. It houses several major retail and logistics companies. On the northern side of the county, there is an abundance of air freight and rail freight located near East Midlands Airport and the East Midlands Gateway rail freight terminal. The City of Leicester, along with the townships of Loughborough, Hinckley, Coalville, and Melton Mowbray, and each of the industrial estates that run parallel to the M1, complete the remainder.
It is the highways (roads) that allow the entire system to operate. The M1 highway runs from south to north through the County. The M69 highway connects Leicester to Coventry and then on to the M6 highway. The A46, A50, and A6 highways provide inter-town connectivity and connect to the various motorways. If your company transports products using a tractor-trailer or other type of vehicle, it would be difficult to locate a better hub for your business than Leicestershire.
New Build Warehouses
Distribution Centres
Logistics Facilities
Logistics facilities typically require a range of logistics functions such as cross-docking, parcel hub and e-commerce fulfilment. Each type of facility requires different types of requirements. Cross-docking requires rapid throughput, with the dock doors and yard layout designed to facilitate the flow of products from one truck to another. E-commerce and parcel operations commonly use a combination of general-purpose warehousing space and mezzanine-level picking space, along with high levels of electrical and data services to support conveyor systems and parcel sortation equipment. As long as the basic structural frame, floor loading capacity, and servicing routes are identified early in the design phase, this should be sufficient to ensure a clean installation of all necessary equipment for the facility's operational function.
Due to Leicestershire's central location within the UK transport network, it provides an ideal platform for the development of National Distribution Centres (NDC) and Fulfillment Centers (FC). Automated processes are widely used in today's supply chains, including automated storage systems, conveyor systems, and automated picking robots, which require specific floor conditions to operate correctly, as well as high levels of electrical service or even their own structural foundations. At the Design Stage, we work closely with automation system suppliers to ensure the building structure is suitable for their equipment.
Manufacturing Buildings:
Although Manufacturing Buildings share many similarities with Warehouse Building structures, there is a key difference in detailing. Due to the nature of production lines requiring higher levels of electrical services, process drainage, separation of various product groups and floors specifically designed for the manufacturing line itself.
At Design Stage, we initially identify the core processes of the client’s manufacturing activities. Then design our solutions around these. For example, overhead cranes for heavy component movement, ventilation and extraction for the manufacturing process and how material moves throughout the site. In addition to identifying manufacturing activity, we also consider the storage and handling aspects of the manufacturing facility. The county of Leicestershire has a strong manufacturing and engineering sector. Therefore, buildings that combine manufacturing and storage elements require careful planning to avoid compromising either aspect.
Warehouse Extensions
Warehouse Refurbishments
Design and Build is essentially taking a project from initial idea to final completion. The process begins with what you want or need (i.e., the project) and continues by translating your needs into a realistic budget and time frame. Part of the design phase includes planning. While Leicestershire has a two-tier system, which includes the County Council and seven District Councils, Leicester City operates separately as a unitary authority and manages its own planning.
Therefore, when designing projects for clients, we work within the parameters set forth by both the correct Authority and Building Regulation. The cost of the project will be determined simultaneously with the design; therefore, the client knows the exact costs before committing. This does not include costs that can be reduced after the client accepts bids.
National Distribution & Logistics:
This is Leicestershire’s biggest strength. Large-scale national distribution facilities require large, clear-span warehouses with multiple dock doors and lots of space for trucking and moving goods. Therefore, we design the building and the site to match how goods and trucks will be moved.
E-Commerce & Fulfilment:
The central location of Leicestershire makes it an excellent choice for E-Commerce and Fulfilment. Typically, they require large warehouse floors, mezzanine picking areas, automation, and high power requirements. As such, we integrate the structural and service components into our buildings from the outset.
Air & Rail Freight:
The northern part of Leicestershire, close to East Midlands Airport and the rail freight terminal, also attracts those who wish to use air and/or rail to transport their goods in addition to road haulage. Thus, we design buildings to provide easy access and sufficient space for regular freight movements.
Manufacturing & Engineering:
Engineering and food production account for the bulk of manufacturing in the County. Manufacturing operations usually require higher power levels, specialist services, and flooring designed for machinery/heavy equipment. Therefore, we take this into consideration when designing/building these types of facilities.
Food & Drink:
Food and drink is one of the largest employers in Leicestershire, with Melton Mowbray as just one example. The provision of cold stores comes with its own set of unique challenges regarding insulation, floor construction and refrigeration. There is a significant cost associated with designing/constructing cold/chilled store buildings incorrectly. As such, we always design our buildings around the operation of a cold/chilled site.
Trade Counter & Self Storage:
Warehouse/storage for builders’ merchants, electrical wholesalers, plumbers' suppliers, etc., plus trade counter space and a yard for loading/unloading are all essential elements for these businesses. Self-storage has seen increased demand due to growing populations. When converting existing buildings or developing new ones, our primary concerns typically include subdivision/floor layout, as well as fire compartmentalisation and access.
Refurbishment is an area of work that we undertake on a large scale. In many cases, the structural elements of a building are in good order; however, the services, cladding/envelope or internal configuration do not meet current requirements. Refurbishment will normally be quicker and less expensive than demolishing the existing building and rebuilding.
Our refurbishment works range from Cat A fit-out, which provides a building to a 'shell & core' (a blank slate) condition suitable for letting, through to Cat B fit-out, whereby a building is specifically tailored to meet the needs of a particular tenant. The majority of extensions undertaken by ourselves include an element of refurbishment, particularly when the intended end-use changes significantly, e.g. from general office to heavy racking/warehousing. Office upgrades are also extremely popular at present, as occupiers wish to upgrade their office accommodation for their employees without having to relocate. As EPC regulations become increasingly stringent for all types of non-residential property, energy-efficiency measures such as insulation, glazing, lighting, and associated services are becoming more prominent in our workload.
It depends on size, spec, location and ground conditions, so there's no single figure. The best way to get a real number is a site visit and a chat about what you need. We do that for free.
Depends on size, complexity and whether you need planning. As a rough guide, a straightforward new unit takes several months from groundworks to handover, with planning and design before that.
Usually, as long as the structure can take the connection and there's room and access on site. We check the building as part of the design.
Usually, though some smaller works or changes of use can fall under permitted development depending on the site's history. Leicestershire planning is handled by district councils, with Leicester City as a separate unitary authority, so it varies by location. We handle this as part of feasibility and planning
We build across Leicestershire, including Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, Coalville, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Wigston, Oadby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Shepshed and Earl Shilton, plus the surrounding areas served by the M1, M69 and A46.
Would you like to learn more about how we can help you with your next residential or commercial project, fill in your details and a member of our team will be in touch.
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