Filplastic has helped independent builders’ merchant John Nicholls create the biggest branch in its network. The company from East Yorkshire was commissioned to design and install storage facilities at the merchants’ new ‘supersite’ branch in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Filplastic provided pallet, timber cantilever, steel lintel and vertical racking and shop fitting to the supersite, which consists of a 40,000sqft warehouse, office space and timber yard on Telford Road in the town. The move means the Bicester branch is now the biggest in John Nicholl’s 11 branch network, which includes building and plumbing merchants, and bathroom showrooms, in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
Getting the site ready to trade presented a number of obstacles, said John Nicholls Head of Branch Operations, Adam England, but Filplastic managed to push through and deliver the work on time.
Adam said: “There were a couple of moments where we had to face some issues beyond everyone’s control, but Filplastic worked hard to overcome these and ensured they delivered a fully installed system to the deadlines we had set. The quality of the racking and install was to an excellent standard.”
Mr England also praised Filplastic’s design, saying that it fulfilled all of the branch’s present requirements, as well as providing options for any future change of direction. “We had a clear idea about how we wanted the branch to work and with the help of Filplastic we were able to evolve our original ideas and deliver a racking and storage solution that works for the business and that we can evolve as the needs of the business change.
“But most importantly collaborating with Filplastic throughout the design stage ensured we achieved value for money on this project.”
Filplastic Business Development Manager for the South West, Martyn Morgan, said working with the John Nicholls team had been a rewarding experience.
Martyn said: “The Bicester site was an interesting project to work on because of the large range of services and products it offers. The branch incorporates all of John Nicholls core sectors, such as building & timber, plumbing & heating and kitchens & bathrooms – not to mention new ventures, like trade services, as well.
“It was imperative that the system allowed flexibility because of the range of possible activities and products at the site. I’m pleased to say we delivered a very effective racking system on time and within a budget that the company was happy with.”
