ISG Fast-Tracks Innovative Asda Merchandising Facility in Just Eight Weeks
ISG has successfully completed an innovative fast-track project to transform a former Tetley bottling plant in Leeds into a new Asda merchandising centre, training facility and office accommodation - delivering the project in just eight weeks.
Located adjacent to the supermarket chain’s headquarters in the West Yorkshire city, the 103,000 sq ft unit accommodates dummy Asda store configurations to facilitate the trial of new merchandising concepts as well as a host of other innovations.
The building also becomes an important extension to existing facilities within the supermarket’s main head office, located just 300 yards away. Additional accommodation includes 18 new meeting rooms, including a new boardroom, 200 hot desks and a new skills academy, incorporating six training rooms connected by folding partition walls to create a flexible space that can be used for multiple training requirements. The high specification fit out also included a new 700-seat auditorium, with ISG re-using 500 seats from Asda’s existing auditorium to minimise waste, and a state-of-the-art virtual reality suite, which will showcase new store concepts without the need to make any physical changes to the building.
During the eight week programme, ISG chalked-up over 30,000 incident free man hours successfully completing the project, which included the installation of an 8,000 sq ft mezzanine structure, constructed using 18,000 tonnes of steel. Some 10,000 shelves and 9,000 sq ft of refrigeration cabinets were also installed within the dummy store area.
The scheme is the latest in an impressive portfolio of Asda projects for ISG, which includes new stores, extensions, acquisition refits, remodels and refurbishments and petrol station additions. Last year ISG was appointed to a two year framework for acquisition refits and remodels of existing stores, and the contractor continues to secure and successfully deliver a wide range of Asda store formats across the UK via the supermarket’s competitive tendering process.
Rob Martin, ISG’s operations director of UK Retail, commented: “The scope, scale and accelerated timeframe of this transformational project demonstrate what can be achieved through a truly collaborative approach between client, contractor and supply chain partners. This innovative Asda facility will have a major influence on future store design and provides the supermarket with a purpose-built test bed for trialling new merchandising concepts, as well as augmenting accommodation at the nearby head office.
“The scheme is an excellent example of ISG’s retail delivery capability, encompassing complex structural elements, high specification fit out works and an extremely short project programme. The dynamic nature of the retail sector constantly challenges contractors to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, and our latest project for Asda highlights our market-leading capabilities and commitment to delivering outstanding customer solutions.”
Nick Hann; Tel: 07970 275251; Email: nick.hann@isgplc.com
ISG Plc is an international construction services company delivering fit out, construction and a range of specialist services, with 31 offices worldwide. The company works with owners, developers and occupiers in the public and private sector for an extensive range of industries. ISG Plc was established in 1989 and has been quoted on AIM since 1998. Today the company has a turnover of around £1.1 billion.
For further information about ISG please visit our website www.isgplc.com
