Swindon BRS2

Strong client relationship

Known as BRS2 – using a naming system based on the nearest big airport (in this case, Bristol) – the centre is the region’s second distribution faculty and the fourth we’ve worked on with Amazon. With a footprint of 547,000 sq ft, the 4-storey distribution facility has a ground floor mechanical sortation level and three levels of automated robotic (3,075 robots, 37,000 fiducial mapping codes) product fulfilment. There’s also a large single-storey office with training rooms, canteen, locker areas, commercial kitchen and management offices, auxiliary spaces and car parking.

Record-breaking delivery

The primary target for the BRS2 project was to provide a fully automated delivery centre within a 10-month M&E construction period, something never achieved before in the UK. The project was completed within a 36-week build period, with the first area handed in at 14 weeks with all base build M&E services completed. The building began deliveries just three days after practical completion, meeting our client’s ambition to be fully staffed and operational for 2021’s Black Friday.

Collaboration and innovation

This fast-track programme, sequencing and integration of the continued multifaceted M&E commissioning processes ran alongside the retailer’s fit-out programme, allowing no room for slippage. We met early access dates, ensuring the material handling equipment (MHE) and robotics started on time to achieve our client’s “going live” deadline. Innovative engineering solutions and pre-fabrication (DfMA) allowed us to meet deadlines, despite £5m of additional client change, including upgrading from 4,400 to 5,500 parcel capacity per day. We incorporated 24/7 working shift patterns to achieve consistency and completion of areas of the fast-track programme across a large, extensive MEP team.

Testimonial

There was always Dalkia out on site, first to arrive, last to leave, always worked weekends and bank holidays. When arranging electrical shutdowns, Dalkia was always helpful and would accommodate.

Dalkia was reliable and consistent, providing the largest package of works with fewer reports back. The best-performing contractor on the project with a Site Staff/Exceeding Expectations score of 10/10.

Hugh Gregory, KAM, Client’s Project Manger