Yorkon News Archives
14/06/2006 – New Design for Tesco Express Modular Stores
Following a 12-month development programme, off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, is to manufacture a new design for Tesco's Express convenience stores. Yorkon has also been appointed as sole modular supplier to Tesco for the third consecutive year.
The construction team for Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket retailer, worked with Yorkon on a major re-engineering initiative, which examined every aspect of the Express store design, from specification to the structure and fitting out in order to further improve efficiency and develop the optimum building solution.
The new design now uses a standard Yorkon module, rather than a bespoke structure, allowing Tesco to benefit from the standardisation of module components and greater economies of scale for both standalone Express stores and those on petrol forecourts.
The 3.3m wide steel-framed building module will now be supplied in 12m or 14m lengths according to individual site requirements. The 14m long modules require simplified foundations, reduce the number of units required for a 2,000sqft store to just six, and provide more retail space in the same floor area. There are also options for stores with retail areas of 2,500 or 3,000sqft.
The glazing system for each store will now be fully fitted off-site in York, reducing time on site and improving quality. Other design changes include the back-of-house areas, which have been re-designed, the use of white pre-finished wall panels to minimise internal painting, and a new angled fascia detail.
David Johnson, Director and General Manager of Yorkon, said, "We are committed to working with Tesco on the development of the store design, to achieve best value, significant efficiency improvements and to maximise the benefits of building off-site – from reduced programme times to guaranteed quality."
"Our re-appointment as the sole modular supplier to Tesco is a credit to our team. The re-engineering initiative is the result of a true working partnership and shows just what can be achieved with a fresh and intelligent approach to design and construction."
Commenting on the re-engineering initiative, Tesco Express Director, Simon Walker, said, "Yorkon has provided a very good product for our staff and customers and we are happy with progress to date."
Yorkon has worked with Tesco for the past five years and is currently working on Express stores for Sunderland, Bearsted in Kent and Leeds – which is the first application of the new design. 20 stores are planned for this year on a rolling programme.
The Express store modules are manufactured and fitted out in a factory environment and are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position complete with freezers/chillers, checkouts, toilets, flooring, internal walls and glazing.
The Yorkon approach reduces the programme time for a typical store to just two weeks from erection of the building to handover, whilst improving quality, cost control and safety on site. Off-site construction also helps to address the issue of skills shortages which is severely affecting the building industry.
Editor's Notes
- Yorkon has achieved another industry first with the launch of a pioneering warranty package. A 20-year structural warranty and 5-year product warranty are part of a new and unique Customer Charter introduced to set out Yorkon's commitment to delivering every project to the highest quality standards.
- Yorkon has been honoured with the award for Off-site Manufacturing Specialist of the Year at the Specialist Contractor Awards for the third consecutive year. The awards are organised in association with the Department of Trade and Industry.
