The Bristol Port Company’s fresh produce terminal, known as ‘S’ Shed, which lies within Avonmouth docks, has a taste of the world about it. The vast warehouse stores are all full of fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, along with other food stuffs requiring ambient temperature, which arrives from all around the world.
Having delivered Phase 1 of the ‘S’ Shed project in 2003, where 8,000 pallet spaces in 9 different independently temperature controlled cells were provided, business quickly grew for the company and more space was needed for certain periods of the year.
A phase 2 was then planned at a size of an additional 6,000 pallet spaces.
Having already supplied the port with P90 pallet racking for Phase 1, Bristol Storage (A Dexion UK Distributor), also won the tender to provide pallet racking for the second phase.
“Our experience on Phase One confirmed Dexion’s reputation for providing a quality product. We had received excellent service, when working closely with the company during phase 1,” said Wayne Birch, Senior Supervisor at the Bristol Port Company.
The phase 2 storage was to be different from phase 1, however:-
The pallets in the 2nd stage would be heavier and stored in smaller cells. This would enable the port to temperature control individual produce more easily, such as kiwis which give of ethanol and can’t be stored with other fruit.
The solution comprised of P90 adjustable pallet racking and Deepstor Drive-in racking configured 3 levels high.
The racking was also designed to incorporate the heavy chiller units used for maintaining the temperature in the cells. Beams extending out from the racking took the full weight of the chiller units; this avoided the need for suspending them from the ceilings.