Gilmours, a division of Foodstuffs North Island, is expanding its operations with a new warehouse in Napier. This fitout project included:
Napier was a new location for Gilmours, meaning any delays in the development process directly impacted their ability to open and become operational.
The project was based in Hawke’s Bay, an area known for poor soil conditions due to the 1931 earthquake. Additionally, older buildings in the region often do not meet modern standards, raising concerns about achieving the necessary seismic safety levels.
Gilmours wanted to future-proof their warehouse. They did not require a full fitout initially, as the local business in Hawke’s Bay needed time to grow and require additional stock holdings.
The primary challenge was getting Gilmours Napier operational as quickly as possible. This was complicated by the need for specialised racking and shelving for the chillers and freezers, which must be rust-resistant. Furthermore, racking companies typically do not carry large amounts of specialised stock, which can lead to delays.
Shelving Shop Group was able to expedite the fitout process and get Gilmours operational much faster than competitors could. While other companies would need to either order or manufacture supplies, Shelving Shop Group leveraged its large stockpile in their 4500 square metre warehouse to ensure quick turnaround times.
Shelving Shop Group collaborated with engineers to swiftly develop a solution to meet seismic safety requirements. This included the use of special feet and fixings designed to ensure the racking systems could withstand seismic activity, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Rather than installing a smaller number of bays initially, all bays were installed but with only the required number of beams. Additional beams and levels would be added as Gilmours’ requirements grew. This approach allowed for easy expansion and scalability, saving time and costs in the long run and ensuring that Gilmours could quickly adapt to increased storage needs without significant disruptions.
Structural elements and engineer reports were completed within 5 days. The entire fitout was completed within 2.5 weeks of signoff, enabling Gilmours to begin operations in their new Napier warehouse much sooner than anticipated. The quick and efficient execution of the project highlights Shelving Shop Group’s capacity to handle complex racking requirements and deliver results under tight timelines.
Maintaining a large stockpile of essential racking materials is crucial. This enables quick turnaround times and ensures that projects can commence immediately without waiting for supplies to be ordered or manufactured. This approach significantly reduces project timelines and enhances client satisfaction.
The ability to quickly collaborate with engineers and develop customised solutions for specific challenges, such as seismic safety requirements, is vital. Having a flexible and responsive problem-solving approach allows for timely adjustments and ensures that safety and compliance standards are met without causing delays.
