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Dale Brothers — completed McPhillips project

Dale Brothers

Dale Brothers·£2.6M·Hortonwood, Telford·March 2024 - November 2024

A temperature-controlled storage facility in Telford.

Leading temperature-controlled food distribution specialist Dale Brothers appointed McPhillips as principal contractor to deliver a new £2.6 million purpose-built facility.

The project comprised roller shutter doors providing loading and unloading access, alongside high-quality two-storey office space with two kitchens, meeting rooms and cloakroom facilities.

The comprehensive external works included new reinforced concrete yard construction, cooling plant bases, electrical sub- station installation, and both HGV and private car EV charging points.

400m²
Two-storey office space
5
Dock levellers
37 weeks
Delivery programme

The challenge

Delivering a complex temperature-controlled facility with specific requirements for chilled storage demanded insulated interlocking cold storage panels and precise temperature control systems essential for food distribution operations.

Site preparation complexity required breaking up and crushing existing concrete hardstanding whilst ensuring the arising materials could be intelligently re-used within permanent works, all whilst keeping the remainder of the site operational 24/7.

Technical integration involved coordinating sophisticated mechanical and electrical installations including cold storage systems, dock levellers, LED lighting throughout, and comfort cooling systems for office areas.

Completing the complex build within a 37-week programme whilst maintaining budget constraints and ensuring highest quality standards presented significant scheduling pressures for a specialist food distribution operation.

Infrastructure requirements demanded comprehensive external works including new reinforced concrete yard construction, cooling plant bases, electrical sub-station installation, and EV charging points.

The steel-framed, composite-cladded structure measuring 65m x 20m x 12m high with a 55m x 20m x 8m high temperature- controlled chilled storage area required precision construction using specialist materials.

A 150m long x 1.3m high precast concrete retaining wall to the perimeter with five dock levellers and roller shutter doors needed efficient design ensuring seamless loading and unloading access essential for distribution operations.

Dale Brothers — The challenge
Dale Brothers — The solution

The solution

The steel-framed, composite-cladded unit was constructed using insulated interlocking cold storage panels specifically designed for food distribution requirements, with the temperature-controlled chilled storage area achieving precise specifications.

A 150m long x 1.3m high precast concrete retaining wall was constructed to the perimeter with five dock levellers and roller shutter doors providing efficient loading and unloading access.

High-quality 400m² two-storey office space included WCs, two kitchens, meeting rooms and open plan offices providing modern working environment. Mechanical and electrical installations included LED lighting throughout the facility and comfort cooling systems to office areas, ensuring energy efficiency and optimal working conditions. Comprehensive external works included new mesh reinforced concrete yard, concrete bases for cooling plant, new sub-station and EV charging points.

Professional project management ensured smooth and efficient construction throughout the entire project lifecycle, with continuous coordination of all specialist systems and careful scheduling enabling operations within 24/7 site constraints.Regular communication with local businesses ensured deliveries and customer access were maintained, minimising complaints and business disruptions.

“
As a Telford-based business ourselves, it was particularly satisfying to work with a local construction partner who understood our needs and delivered such high-quality results.”
Robin Dale
Managing director

The result

The project was delivered on time and within budget.

All elements met exacting standards required for temperature- controlled food distribution, with particular attention to precision construction of the chilled storage area and specialist cold storage systems.

Dale Brothers — The resultDale Brothers — The result — detail

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