South West

New lease of life for iconic local building

Thamesdown Drive Vygon RackingAn iconic local building in Thamesdown Drive, Blunsdon, near Swindon, which was previously the home of Motorola, has just been converted to provide purpose designed headquarters for medical product manufacturers Vygon.

Project Managers, Employers Agents and CDM Co-ordinators were 5 Consulting Ltd; the Main Contract was won in a competitive tender by Gloucester based Barnwood Construction.

“Vygon are delighted that the project has been completed on time and on budget” said Mr Richard West of 5 Consulting Ltd.Thamesdown Drive to file soon

The project was complex from the outset in establishing which elements were economically viable for reuse and maximising value for the client. An online auction took place for retained assets and redundant plant to maximize value for the client, prior to the main contract commencing.

Vygon, who employ 85 people and are relocating from Cirencester, are part of an international company specialising in medical apparatus and equipment, which has grown significantly over the last 30 years.

The project involved part demolition and extension of the existing building to transform it into a warehouse distribution centre on the 46 acre site. The development included the creation of 20,000sq ft of offices within the main building, the creation of a new a training facility and the construction of a new high bay warehouse.

The works included the demolition of 75% of the former manufacturing warehouses on the site and the conversion of one of the retained warehouses into a training suite and a goods in area, with the works involving the initial strip out and re-fitting of the of the whole of the interior, the installation of new internal partitioning and new mechanical and electrical services and re-decoration. The building includes greeting areas, training suites, offices, restrooms, a breakout area and a canteen within a central circulation area. Some internal steelwork within this area was replaced and significant external steelwork was shot blasted. Thamesdown Drive to file soon

Other works included the construction of a new high bay warehouse and associated service yards. This element of the scheme required the remodelling of the existing site services for the building, as well as the installation of a jet airstream heating and cooling system and low energy lighting. The building is structured around a steel frame with external elevations in metal cladding and a double curved cladding roof.

Within the main building, new offices have been created and a new heat recovery air conditioning system has been installed, together with new partitioning, new data cabling and new floor, wall and ceiling finishes. Other works to the main building include cleaning of the external elevations and remedial repairs.Thamesdown Drive to file soon

Adam Fletcher of Adapt Properties, who are Vygon’s retained development managers, said: “This move will provide the Swindon area with numerous job opportunities and give a sizeable boost to the local economy. “

“This is a fantastic strategic opportunity for Vygon. The new facility will provide much needed state-of-the-art warehouse and office space for the company”.

“Vygon are relocating as they require larger premises to support the needs of the business, they currently operate over three small sites and this centralisation will greatly improve efficiency and facilitate further growth.”

Vygon (UK) Ltd makes single-use medical and surgical products. The company is a leading provider of intravenous access devices to the NHS. Brand names include; Multicath, Lifecath, Leadercath, Bionector, Biovalve and MIC. Vygon (UK) Ltd is part of the The Vygon Group which manufactures and markets more than 100 million products in 110 countries.Thamesdown Drive VYGON

Barnwood Construction, founded in 1962 has been built on solid foundations and has a reputation for quality construction, care and being customer focused. Over the years there have been many changes in the construction industry, especially where technique, technology and of course client requirements are concerned. Through all this the ethos and principles at Barnwood Construction have never changed.

Barnwood Construction’s strength is its people. Its senior management team, staff and workforce of committed, hard working people share an attention to detail and a desire to evolve to meet new challenges.

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Roma Publications