Akzo Nobel Inks Factory

Client: Jones Maidment Wilson Solicitors

Location: Irlam, Manchester

Budget: £7 million

Status: Completed 2000

Akzo Nobel Inks (ANI), a world leader in the development and manufacture of high performance printing ink systems for a wide range of end uses, commissioned our practice for a new £5m inks factory in Irlam, Manchester.

The development comprised of 35,000 sq ft, of which 10,000 sq ft is a two-storey office and set of laboratories. The remaining area is made up of production and warehouse storage facilities. Our feasibility study resulted in the discovery that the total floor area necessary was half the size that Akzo Nobel had previously envisioned saving precious space and capital.

Appointed on a multi-professional basis FPL were able to provide Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering, M&E Engineering and Process Engineering skills and enabled ANI to achieve a highly effective and collaborative design solution.

The structure consisted of a two-bay portal framed warehouse connected to a two-storey steel framed office building, featuring a roof with double curvature.  The site is located on a reclaimed site improved by vibro-stabilisation to allow traditional pile foundations to be employed. Throughout the course of the project, construction details and techniques on-site were continually reviewed and developed in conjunction with the contractor and specialist process sub-contractor.

Delivered on programme, and within budget, the factory became operational in December 2000. Since then research and productivity have increased dramatically and the Irlam site now forms an integral part of the Akzo Nobel organisation.

• Categories: Industrial