DX – Major Transformation at a Live Freight Regional Hub

Project Type: Space

Client Profile

The Customer
Established in 1975, DX is a market leader in the delivery of mail, parcels, pallets and freight of irregular dimension and weight. DX provides a wide range of specialist delivery services to both business and residential addresses across the UK and Ireland. The group operates through two divisions, DX Freight and DX Express.

DX has ambitious growth plans and as part of their three year £20-25 million capital investment programme is making significant improvements to their depot network to underpin continued growth, service excellence and deliver operational efficiencies.

The Requirement
DX has a large freight regional hub in the North of England, in Bury, that was in need of a complete overhaul. The depot’s brickwork construction and canopy needed demolishing and rebuilding; there were new offices and facilities to be built and others that needed completely refurbishing. To add to the complexity the existing roof contained asbestos.

All of the brickwork construction to the warehouse and the roof canopy needed to be demolished. Externally the project required the installation of shutter doors, dock edge plates, bollards and external concrete ramps for the loading area.

Active Solution

Asbestos roof removal
DX negotiated the thorny issue of the asbestos removal with their landlord and ultimately a pragmatic compromise was reached that involved partial removal and cladding the remainder to render it safe.
Replacement Canopy with safety cladding
The demolished existing brickwork was rebuilt, and thirty-two roller shutter doors were fitted, along with all the required steel security doors and fire escapes. The warehouse was completely rewired with LED lights and external hardware, including ramps that were installed for the safe and efficient docking of freight vehicles. External LED lighting was installed in the loading bays and fitted to poles to light the entire site.
Roller Doors and Fire Escapes
Internally, offices were completely refurbished, alongside a brand new two-storey office block that was built to house a new canteen and additional offices. All services and trades, including plumbing, electricals, flooring and construction were involved in creating practical staff areas with a quality finish. Existing spaces were made airy, modern and space efficient to match the newly designed and constructed spaces. The staff welfare facilities now look cohesive and contemporary.
New General Managers office
New ground floor breakout area
The old canteen was repurposed into hygienic and modern toilet facilities.
New Toilets

Benefits and Results

The major challenge for DX and Active was completing the project in a live depot environment. “The Health & Safety issues in this scenario were immense,” stated Stuart, Construction Manager at DX, “moving vehicles, workers on foot, just about every H&S protocol was in the spotlight. Thankfully Active’s methodologies and practices were spot-on; difficulties, workarounds, and sensible solutions to keeping our staff, and their staff, safe were in place before we started and worked brilliantly. From day one, the site was a hive of activity, bustling with trades but with everyone working safely. It was really impressive.”

BMI Group

"Our regular engineer Steve, is very knowledgeable and capable and always has the right tools to fix problems as they arise. Overall we have been very happy with the service from Active." Evelyn Moreton, Office

The Church of England

Britvic

Virgin Media, Swansea

Channel 4

“I really appreciate your hard work on this project. There was a huge amount to achieve in a relatively short period of time and we couldn't have done it without you." — Facilities Manager, Channel

Aegis

“The team were highly professional and extremely helpful during the move. They always conducted themselves with extreme efficiency. They were calm and organised under pressure and the support they gave was above and beyond our