Bristol based coldstore specialist, Stancold Plc, part of the Gilcrest Group, has completed the installation of a state of the art freezer for apetito at the award winning frozen food supplier’s Trowbridge headquarters in Wiltshire.
Stancold, whose customers include Tesco, ASDA and the Co-op, dismantled the existing 950 sq metre coldstore, completely rebuilding it with new sub floor and wearing slab, external wall and roof cladding, ceiling panels and doors. An adjacent 125 sq metre plant room underwent similar treatment – including new structural steel work – while office, despatch and loading areas totalling 150 sq metres were also dismantled and rebuilt with new external wall and roof cladding, ceiling panels and docking bay doors.
The PIR (polyisocyanurate) panels used in the project feature a low density rigid foam core that delivers high levels of thermal efficiency, fire resistance, strength and hygiene control. It virtually eliminates the risk of mould and bacterial growth and, being fibre free, there is no risk from airborne contamination. Panels 150 mm thick were used for the freezer and plant room walls and ceiling; 100-125mm thick for other areas. Visible panel faces are finished with a white foodsafe polyester coating.
Stancold was responsible for delivering the £920k project – won through competitive tender – within a limited time frame. Contracts director, Rob White, said: “Our remit as principal contractor included co-ordination of all aspects of the build, together with electrical and mechanical services. We also provided temporary freezer facilities in accessible storage containers for the duration of the project.”
For apetito, project manager Trevor Leake said the project had run smoothly: “Up to 90 per cent of our frozen products are stored in the freezer at any one time, so it’s a crucial part of our operation, which was able to continue uninterrupted throughout the process. Stancold delivered a highly successful project on time and on budget and we look forward to working with them again.”
