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CHALKER WAY, BANBURY

EPScm successfully won a tender in 2023 to undertake some significant refurbishment works to a Warehouse we were familiar with, having previously refurbished it for ARRIVAL. The c£2M Phase 1 refurbishment was our first time working with Fortescue WAE and Ridge’s Birmingham team. The scope of works was to develop a pilot facility, c30% of the 170,000sq-ft facility for the manufacture of battery cells supporting Fortescue’s transition to a global green renewables and resources company and in particular the worlds first zero emission ‘infinity train’.

 

The challenge for EPScm was to develop relationship quickly so we were comfortable and at ease teasing out exacting requirements from a new client who themselves were ever changing and developing their own processes. Our business’s core strengths again shone through with collaborative and innovative approaches finding cost effective yet robust solutions e.g. The client needed to segregate the warehouse into two areas; the pilot area we were contracted to construct and then the remaining 70% of the warehouse that would become the eventual phase 2 works for mass production roll out. This segregation was a essentially a partition wall but needed to be permanent, meet the building’s fire strategy and have multiple access points. The challenge for EPScm aside from these requirements was the vast size; 70m wide and 17m high. Our solution, costing c£100K was a flexi-wall system, slung from the top but tension added from the base. The flexi wall met the fire strategy and included multiple pedestrian doors as well as 3No. varying sized Rapid access doors for vehicle movements. The client was thrilled with this economic solution that met all their requirements. It also acted as an immediate segregation for the Phase 1 construction activity, a further benefit to the client.

This example of meeting client requirements with innovative solutions set the tone for the remainder of the Phase 1 project which was a complete success. The relationship between Fortescue, EPScm and Ridge grew quickly to a collaborative working environment with continued solution focussed mindset. 

 

As a result of this success, the Phase 2 work was  awarded to EPScm with a forecasted spend of c£5M. Phase 2 has seen the introduction of a wider Ridge design team, which again  has been working exceptionally well to date. Ridge developed the design to RIBA stage 3, EPScm then advanced this to RIBA Stage4 with Ridge acting as the client’s technical advisor. The project is currently underway but due to strict NDA, limited detail can be offered. We can however, offer a testimonial from both the client and a Ridge representative which demonstrates the successful nature of the team and project delivery to date.

Due to strict client NDAs, imagery of projects delivered are limited but we are happy to share reference details or arrange site visits if required.

Please see a testimonial from Andy Norman - Construction Project Manager - Fortescue & Ian Gregg - Ridge

“Construction projects to support the establishment of trailblazing manufacturing processes can be complicated and often need to be executed against a backdrop of uncertainty and change within challenging time frames. This was certainly the case with our projects. 

 

It is rare to find a construction company that can provide successful project delivery in this difficult environment. 

EPSCM have worked with us as part of our programme delivery team over the last 18 months providing outstanding performance in health & safety management, innovative design input, supply chain selection & management and general construction project management to deliver multiple successful projects, with values from £0.5M to £5M.  

 

No project is without obstacles and challenges, EPSCM have always found ways to overcome these inevitable difficulties to deliver the required outcomes with an excellent HSE record, to high quality, within budget and always on schedule against a backdrop of more than normal uncertainly and change. Great job!”

“It is refreshing to work with a business with such a positive can-do attitude. EPS took on a challenging project where time was of the essence, change was inevitable and the budget was constrained. Despite all of these hurdles their site team persevered, led by a determined management team on site supported by a pro-active and understanding team of Directors leading the business. 

 

Their caring and client facing management team help to create a single project team where the client, their professional team and EPS worked as a single team to successfully deliver the project.”

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