Tall tales from Gloucester coldstore construction experts
Coldstore construction company ISD Solutions has completed its largest ever project, helping build what is believed to be the UK’s tallest high bay freezer warehouse.
The facility, constructed for Magnavale in Easton, near Grantham in Lincolnshire, is a giant 101,000 pallet coldstore standing at 47.5 metres high.
The technologically advanced system will operate entirely on renewable energy.
Gloucester-based ISD Solutions was the first UK company to build a high-bay clad rack warehouse in 2009, and pioneered ‘single envelope’ construction since installing the first of its type in the UK, more than 20 years ago.
Now it has designed and installed all the exterior cladding on the new £130 million development for Magnavale, including the high and low bay warehouses, adjacent office block and plant room.
Following successful projects in Warrington and Chesterfield, the new development brings ISD’s portfolio of work with Magnavale to just under £20 million in the past three years.
The new building is due to be fully operational later this year, after the construction phase is fully complete and with a month needed to gradually bring the interior down to freezing temperature.
Once finished, it will be the latest addition to the UK’s warehousing stock – addressing a shortage issue brought into stark focus following Brexit and during the Covid pandemic.
“We are extremely proud to be involved with such a landmark project and to be one of the trusted ‘client direct’ contractors for the scheme,” said Jason Denning, Director of Industrial and Commercial Projects at ISD Solutions.
“We believe that the finished building, with its energy efficient design, physical proportions and unique aesthetic features, sets it apart from all previous similar facilities and will raise the bar for future temperature controlled ASRS buildings.”
Jonathan Gagg, director at Magnavale’s parent company Sadel Group, said: “Once in operation, in late 2024, we expect that the Easton development will transform frozen storage and value-added capabilities across the UK, allowing our partners to cut unnecessary cost, risk and complexity within their cold chain. We thank the team from ISD Solutions for their exceptional work on this project and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
ISD Solutions is part of Gloucester-based The P & M Group, which includes PLG Insulations, a division in Australia and Midlands-based installations specialists S Tysoe Installations. Together the companies employ more than 190 staff, with a combined turnover of around £70m.
