Wanted: Temp to perm, must be flexible
April 11th 2008

The variety of reasons for needing temporary storage is now matched by a diverse range of structures, many strong enough to remain in place for years rather than months. Claire Jackson spoke to Andy Butters, director of Aganto, about how temporary buildings can provide the answer to cost-effective storage

Temporary can really mean whatever you want it to," says Andy Butters, director of Aganto. "Our structures can remain in place for as little as a couple of months, or as long as twenty years." The variety of reasons for needing temporary storage is now matched by a diverse range of structures, strong enough to remain in place for years rather than months. "The buildings themselves can remain on site for the time span you'd probably expect from permanent structures," explains Andy.

"Companies choose to use them because they are erected very quickly, typically a structure with 1000m2 of storage space and up to 6.2m in height can be completed within a week."

Reduced cost

The reason for this speedy procedure is that the buildings do not require foundations, often a lengthy part of any building work. As well as reducing the amount of time taken to put storage capacity in place, the lack of foundations reduces the cost factor too.

"Generally ground work is very minimal, if it's needed at all – 99% of the time we can put the structure straight on the ground by adapting fixing methods," continues Andy.

Despite their quick erection, the buildings are said to be very robust. Based on an industrial framework made from aluminium, they are protected against the elements.

"The building's heavy profile is designed to deal with wind loading and snow loading all year round," explains Andy. "The structure is very rigid, very industrial and very strong.

Although it can take as little as a week to build, it can be left in place for years." Reasons behind commissioning are varied. Often emergency storage is required due to unforeseen or sudden growth. "Sometimes companies need to increase capacity by manufacturing onsite," says Andy. "If there's space available it makes sense to use it rather than rent somewhere else."

In the warehousing sector companies need increased capacity quickly when they win new contracts. Aganto can provide almost instant storage space, which can be racked out and meet the new demand.

Similarly, the retail sector sees fluctuations in accordance with seasonal requirements.

For example in the run up to Christmas, shops sometimes need extra space to stockpile goods. The leisure industry and schools also use external structures.

Temporary storage can provide a costeffective and low maintenance solution.

"There truly is a wide spectrum of usage," adds Andy. "Its flexibility means it suits any application – Aganto also offers a bespoke service to fit any specification. Today when space is a premium it is understandable that clients want to fill every last corner of the yard."

Another plus point is the nomadic nature of temporary buildings – they are fully relocatable and can move when the company needs to. "This can be done by Aganto," says Andy. "We do all maintenance in-house and offer round-theclock service."

Having purchased an Aganto building, if the customer then decides that the structure has fulfilled its purpose, a buyback scheme can be entered into. "This means that you're never stuck with the building," says Andy.

Full rental options are also available on all buildings.

Carbon footprint

Being efficient is high on Aganto's agenda.

The buildings themselves can be as highly specified as a buyer wants; from heavily insulated walls to no insulation at all, steel to polymer materials, single skin PVC membrane to air-filled walls. This enables the structures to be as advanced as is necessary, for example with the right insulation they are suitable for cold storage. Roofs are translucent as standard, reducing the need for internal lighting, lowering the building's carbon footprint.

The huge range of options available, combined with the advantages of a quick, straightforward build mean that flexible structures like those Aganto specialises in can provide a solution for almost any application – no matter how temporary or permanent the requirement.

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