Tailor made solutions
August 1st 2008

As the credit crunch continues to bite, Canopy buildings from CopriSystems can provide a tailor made solution for additional storage needs without having to commit to expensive building or relocation

It's a fact of life that things change and no more so than in business. We are living in uncertain times with the credit crunch affecting every walk of life. Planning for the future is always difficult, but flexible solutions can be found and are essential in today's current climate.

When you need additional storage quickly, you don't have to wait months for planning, architects or incur excessive costs. A canopy building can be erected in a matter of days rather than months and is not usually hampered by planning requirements. Equally quick to dismantle, a canopy can be relocated on site with minimum disruption or removed when no longer required.

CopriSystems has been providing tailor made solutions for companies for over thirty years. Expert in catering for particular site issues such as sloping areas, drainage, car parking or restricted access combined with limited space. With its flexible modular design the canopy building offers many advantages over more traditional bricks and mortar amenities whatever your requirements, not least being the cost.

Site issues With heavy winds, car parking and drainage considerations, TRW based in Peterlee, County Durham turned to CopriSystems to help with its site issues. Manufacturing electronic components for the car industry, the busy Peterlee site has multi point pick ups, high volume loading and numerous vehicles at any one time. Loading previously was through dock levellers at the rear, or outside in the open air but following a customer's request for side loading, a new operation had to be facilitated.

CopriSystems designed a side wall mounted canopy attached to the existing warehouse measuring 18m wide, 20m long and 5m high. Roller shutter doors were positioned centrally at both ends to allow vehicle access through the canopy. With the canopy providing environmental protection, temporary storage of goods was also possible prior to loading.

Shortly after purchasing the canopy, expansion of the TRW manufacturing operation meant that additional temporary storage space was required. CopriSystems was able to extend the canopy a further 50m along the side of the existing warehouse with limited disruption to work on site. A rental agreement was arranged for the temporary extension.

At the end of the rental period, the extension of the canopy was removed and the original canopy relocated to another area on site.

Such versatility of product is unique to the canopy building. Being able to relocate on site means maximising the canopy's utility.

Speed of delivery and installation also mean that unforeseen problems such as urgent storage requirements can be dealt with swiftly.

For BT Rolatruc, leading manufacturer of materials handling equipment, speed was of the essence. Running out of space at its Warrington site, CopriSystems were able to deliver and install a canopy building within just six weeks.

Manufacturing fork lift trucks and other equipment for delivery worldwide, BT Rolatruc wanted to build a permanent extension to its warehouse as demand increased. As the requirement was immediate however, BT Rolatruc decided to use a canopy system attached to the main building as a storage facility prior to delivery.

The canopy has relieved congestion within the warehouse and improved working conditions.

Ease of installation and removal in turn, also makes the canopy building an ideal rental building. CopriSystems' rental package includes delivery, installation and construction, inclusive of any ground works if required, with the same service for the removal of the building at the end of the contract. By renting, companies can also avoid tying up precious capital.

Extended longevity Although called 'temporary' structures, canopy buildings have extended longevity, typically fifteen years for the cover and 25 years for the steel. As with most things, good maintenance will yield best results.

Constructed from a galvanised steel frame with a pvc coated polyester fabric cover, which is self extinguishing and does not flame or flare in a fire, all buildings are designed and engineered to conform to BS6399 (Building Regulations - wind and snow loadings) wherever you are in the country.

The design is modular, with standard widths ranging from 4.5m to 27m, length is as required. Freestanding or mounted against another building with monopitch or duopitch roofs, the canopy is mounted on tracks which are bolted to concrete. This can be an existing concrete slab or concrete strip beams laid in soil or tarmac. Steel frames are linked by pantographs giving the additional benefit of making the building retractable, or capable of being tensioned. The building can be folded away when not in use or when space is limited.

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