Joy Global UK employees have now moved into their new home and are excited about the opportunities the new space presents according to Doug Kiser, the firm’s Global Director of Facilities and Asset Management.
“This is a purpose-built facility that provides an opportunity to implement new and more efficient systems and processes, enhancing our capabilities in terms of product development, testing, manufacture and delivery,” he said.
The year-long build saw Russells utilise a traditional steel frame and cladding construction system to create the 43,300 sq ft production and testing floor, and the 38,500 sq ft of office space. The building has achieved the sustainability rating BREEAM ‘Very Good’.
Russells worked closely with the Joy Global development delivery team, designers from APL Architects and engineers from Healy Consulting, to create a building where equipment testing can involve loads of up to 2,500 tonnes.
Reinforced concrete floors have been installed, with the ability to support machines of up to 100 tonnes, and five deep pits of 3.5 to 4.5m dug out of the ground to allow for super-heavy testing of mine roof support equipment. The Russells team also assisted with the relocation of gantry cranes and testing rigs.
Russells Construction Director Andrew Russell said he was impressed with the results achieved despite some weather-related challenges in the early months. “There were challenges in the early part of the project, when bad weather made construction of the testing pits particularly difficult,” he said. “But the team took everything in its stride and delivered the new facility on time and in budget as usual.”
The new Logistics North facility will be the UK hub for Joy Global’s JoySmart Solutions offerings, integrations of the company’s smart, connected products and systems, advanced analytics, and direct services customised to solve its customers’ toughest challenges.
