Unique Record Height Building from SSI Schaefer

SSI Schaefer is currently building the highest cold rolled rack supported building in the UK for leading global provider of integrated logistic solutions for warehouses, distribution centres and hospitals, Swisslog.

At nearly 40 metres high with over 41,000 pallet locations, the SSI Schaefer Systems Group is mid-way through a multi-million pound project in Newport, Wales for Swisslog. With years of experience in the development of integrated logistics solutions, Swisslog is committed to serving their customers with local resources.

Swisslog called up on the expertise of SSI Schaefer, the UKs leading storage and material handling solutions provider, to design, manufacture and erect a rack supported building for their client Quinn Radiators, Europes leading manufacturer of Round Top and Compact radiators with over 35 years of experience within the heating industry.

As SSI Schaefer had already built up a positive working relationship with Quinns, from a previous completed project with sister company Quinn Glass, which is believed to be the largest warehouse of its type in Europe with a total of 283,100 pallet storage locations, and following a number of different ongoing projects with Swisslog, all parties were confident of SSI Schaefers capabilities.

SSI Schaefer is one of the few companies that can build this type of building to the required height whilst maintaining the strict European FEM guidelines. Supporting the UK based project and site management team is the Schaefer Systems Group, a team of specialist design estimators, structural engineers, project managers and after sales engineers. These individuals are responsible throughout every project to ensure the best solutions are delivered to the customers satisfaction.

Using the Schaefer Systems Group the on-going project will continue to use build methods to reduce the amount of work that has to be carried out at height thus reducing the overall risk involved.

Bob Jane, Business Development Manager, SSI Schaefer, said:

This particular project for Swisslog and end user Quinn Radiators is a clear representation of a change in direction for a number of UK businesses where they are prepared to invest money into their own building rather than leasing or buying into spec builds.

He continued:

The time and cost saving for a rack supported building is clear with rateable benefits to the end user and the single source sub-contractor approach. The completion of this project will result in SSI Schaefer successfully finishing off five rack supported buildings over the past three years.

In addition to the main order, SSI Schaefer, have since had a subsequent request to supply the cladding, drainage and lighting protection system for the whole building. 

SSI Schaefer Rack Supported Buildings are constructed directly onto a concrete slab; the racking is assembled in blocks and then craned into position to be bolted into the slab. When the structure is complete the pallet handling cranes are lifted in which are run on floor rails and guided at the top. The racking is then clad using metal cladding similar to that of a normal building. The one major advantage of a Rack Supported Building is the speed of the build up to 30% faster. Other advantages include maximum economic efficiency in both cost and space saving requirements.