JPL Distribution Centre
TECHNOLOGY AWARD - Commendation
JPL Distribution Centre, Auckland
Submitted by: Conslab Ltd
Owner: James Pascoe Group
Architect: TSE Architects
Consulting Engineer: BGT Structures
Contractor: Conslab Ltd
Sub-contractors: BBR Contech / Allied Concrete
Summary:
James Pascoe Group required a state of the art national distribution centre to consolidate warehousing for all of the groups brands which include Farmers, Whitcoulls, Stevens and Pascoes. They set out with a long term goal to minimise costs and maximise value for customers. This was supported by introducing the absolute latest warehousing systems and technology including 16 m high very narrow aisle (VNA) racking – the highest level installed to date in the southern hemisphere. The cutting edge VNA racking and material handling equipment (MHE) required a level of floor flatness that is considered the highest in the world, existing on the margins of what had been achieved globally.
As the key working surface in the facility the 25,000m2 concrete ground floor played a pivotal role in the success of the project. The twin goals of minimising operating costs while maximising efficiency created a complex challenge for designing and constructing the floor - how to achieve world leading floor flatness while still providing a durable and cost efficient solution? This lead to the achievement of a series of New Zealand firsts including a new hybrid approach to VNA floor construction, and construction of the only certified super flat VNA floor in the country.
What the judges said:
The challenge was to achieve world leading floor flatness for a state-of-the-art warehouse facility that contains cutting edge 16m high VNA (very narrow aisle) racking systems whilst still providing a durable and cost efficient solution.
This was met by devising a world first hybrid approach to VNA floor construction. The solution combined large post-tensioned slabs, new jointing technology to preclude slab curl, refined design and construction procedures and introduction of specialised floor profiling/surveying technology.
These developments all culminated to deliver the highest VNA flatness standard in the world – DM1 – and the construction of the only certified super flat VNA floor in the country.
