Covering all the angles
April 1st 2005

Unforeseen changes in market trends, fluctuations in demand during peak seasons and a consumer expectations of 24/7 availability all affect business operations. In order to respond to such changes quickly and accurately requires flexibility – making temporary and re-locatable buildings an increasingly attractive option.

Although warehousing is still the predominant use, the re-locatable and temporary buildings supplied by Storage Structures and TempAstor are demonstrating their versatility within multiple industry sectors and for a wide variety of applications – such as undercover training areas, exhibition facilities, airport buildings, supermarkets, loading bays, production buildings and emergency cover.

Although requirements can differ enormously, the flexibility is still there to move the building to a different area on site, move it to a different part of the country, relocate back to the supplier once the hire agreement has expired or even dismantle it, put into storage and re-erect when needed in the same or different area.

Maximum possible use of site space can be employed using re-locatable buildings.

With structures easily built on tarmac, concrete or hardcore and no foundations required, installation and dismantle is relatively simple and the option of site re-configuration, as and when required, is available. To cope with peak seasonal demands flexible hire agreements enable companies to adjust operational facilities on a temporary basis and within budget guidelines. For supermarkets and retailers, for example, this could prove invaluable over the Christmas period, providing additional warehousing to cope with extra stock and, for the remainder of the year, ensuring no resources are left standing empty and consuming unnecessary capital.

Alternatively, companies looking to relocate or expand to additional premises can juggle their building requirements around, over a period of years if necessary, until the most productive and cost effective solution is determined. Any permanent building needs can then be fully considered – avoiding rushed long-term commitments and expensive errors of judgement.

Japanese Import Auctions, based at Southampton, benefited from a re-locatable building supplied by Derby-based Storage Structures in August 2003. Although Storage Structures offers a flexible hire agreement, the company could foresee a much longer-term use period and the option of purchase proved more costeffective.

With an allocated space at the Port of Tilbury, the structure was used as an auction house for imported Japanese cars.

Much more than a simple storage facility, Japanese Import Auctions kitted the structure out with a brick rostrum, electric power, a snack wagon, bunting, banners, a display area for the cars and tarmac floor complete with road layout. With auctions held once a week, the company was in a superior geographical and economic position to take receipt of the goods and house them prior to sale. The only slight drawback to the set up was that the allocated site was slightly small for the operation and structure was quite a snug’ fit.

Towards the end of 2004, Japanese Import Auctions were offered the opportunity of moving to another site at the Port. Larger and in a better location, it thereby offered the opportunity to increase sales, company reputation and eventual profit. With the re-locatable building still in peak condition, the company contacted Storage Structures and received a comprehensive agreement to dismantle, relocate and reconstruct the structure in the new location. Now the company is firmly established at the new premises, it is optimistic about future growth and success.

“We are now in such a strong position to respond quickly, cost-effectively and accurately to any future changes within the industry, the Port or simply the consumer and market trends, “ says auction manager, Steve Field. “A lot of this is due to the flexibility we have with our location and premises – together with the flexible arrangement and agreement with Storage Structures.” Storage solutions – April 2005 The variety of re-locatable buildings available on a hire or sale basis certainly matches the flexibility they create. The durable industrial frame structures supplied by Storage Structures come with no minimum hire period, a ten-year guarantee and are custom-built to meet exact requirements and site specifications.

With a flame retardant PVC polyester material covering on the roof and rigid selflocking steel side panels, structures come in widths up to 30 metres, unlimited lengths and with a full range of ancillary equipment including roller, shutter, sliding and pedestrian doors, heating, cooling, power rental, lighting and a variety of floors. A side height of up to 8 metres allows room for the largest of Artics, providing virtually limitless possibilities for loading/unloading areas, distribution facilities and scanning areas for inbound/outbound vehicles.

The range of lighting options ensures all operations are able to continue on the 24 hour basis. To create more additional space, structures can be linked together width ways, or attached to permanent buildings to extend existing facilities.

Insulation systems are available from both companies, but TempAstor are able to offer double-skinned fully insulated buildings, allowing total control over temperature. The insulation systems bring about dramatic savings in energy consumption, whilst the recyclable materials used and sustainable guidelines met ensure an eco friendly unit.

Speed of installation is another major advantage over permanent buildings. It’s a fact that even the most efficient operation can face unforeseen circumstances that necessitate a rapid and effectual response.

Re-locatable buildings are in a league of their own when it comes to emergency situations. The effects of fire, flood or storm damage can greatly reduce a company’s productivity to the point of a full closure – and the ability to quickly install a temporary facility is essential while repairs and restorations are made. A prime example made headlines over Christmas last year when the nation’s most loved pickle was under threat. Storage Structures and TempAstor came together to help Premier Foods when the unfortunate fire at their Branston Pickle factory removed crucial stock required for the Christmas period. At such a critical time of year, the operation needed to be revived back to full capacity as a matter of urgency and a stage of that process required re-locatable temporary storage for all the components that made up the packaging process of the pickle, prior to production. Premier requested a three-month hire period prior to returning the buildings to Storage Structures in the spring, when they will be checked, cleaned and put into stock ready to be relocated to the next assignment.

In emergency situations such as this, relocatable buildings can be built within twenty-four hours, ensuring operations are able to continue at one hundred percent capacity and that, in the face of misfortune, minimal disruption and distress is experienced.

“Clearly the fundamental advantage of re-locatable buildings is the extreme flexibility created and the cost savings that can be gained from this,” says Storage Structures managing director, Andrew Dorrington. “With the constant fluctuating demand governed by today’s consumer, companies choosing the option of relocatable buildings are able to place themselves in prime position to meet these demands in as cost effective, reliable and efficient way possible.”

More articles from Spaciotempo UK Ltd: