News: AESSEAL's Factory of the Future takes shape in Rotherham

The steel frame for the centrepiece of AESSEAL’s new Factory of the Future is now under construction at the company’s global headquarters in Rotherham.

The multi award winning Templeborough company, which designs and makes mechanical seals and support systems for a wide range of global industries including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals, has grown from a small distribution business based on Attercliffe Road, Sheffield to a near £200m turnover business employing more than 1,800 people across the world.

The project, which includes the refurbishment and “greening” of AESSEAL’s existing plant as well as a state-of-the-art, 60,000 sq ft extension that will almost double the site capacity, brings the firm’s total investment in Rotherham to over £61m.

BDB Design Build is leading on the construction.

Designed by Sheffield-based architects, Race Cottam Associates (RCA), the new building creates an advanced precision engineering factory together with office space, new entrance, statement reception and café. RCA is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the building, which is designed to store its own energy and be all-electric.

“The initial concept was to provide a new manufacturing facility capable of supporting state-of-the-art robotic machines whilst simultaneously creating new workspace and a statement entrance for AESSEAL’s international clients and colleagues,” explains RCA’s architect and project lead, Mark Eden. “In addition, part of the brief was to create an open plan production area that would not only allow for internal reconfigurations as the business grows but also significant viewing platforms for staff and visitors.

“Our design integrates AESSEAL’s original facility via a two storey, linked structure which incorporates the new entrance. Large areas of glazing ensure full exposure to the precision engineering manufacturing and world-leading robotics,” concludes Mark.

Advertisement
The wider project includes a significant investment in the latest environmental measures, including photovoltaic panels, advanced battery storage and the use of recycled products such as shredded car tyres to form the tarmac for the car park. Surrounding the ten acre site, which was originally filled with steel slag, a ‘Tree Walk’ will act as an educational and environmental resource and will include a wetlands area and accommodation for bees, hedgehogs and other wildlife.

RCA’s partnership with AESSEAL dates back to 1996, when the practice was first appointed to design and deliver a new industrial and office complex. Chairman and co-founder, David Cottam said: “Initially we were asked to produce a sensitive design, not too strong or ostentatious, that could be built in phases to match business expansion. Since then, AESSEAL’s growth has been exponential and I’m exceptionally proud of what we have achieved together in almost three decades. I firmly believe what we’re creating now will be a true legacy building and showcase for AESSEAL’s success.”

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL and the AES Engineering Group added: “I congratulate Dave Cottam and his team at Race Cottam Associates for going on this journey with us and producing a design that provides a showcase for industry and the environment working in harmony. The Factory of the Future is a symbol of our commitment to keep pushing beyond Net Zero and encourage our customers and suppliers to do the same, proving that it is possible to be a globally successful business and also take care of the planet.”

Construction began on AESSEAL’s new Factory of the Future in January and is expected to complete in May 2023.

Images: AESSEAL / Race Cottam

Read more...

News: Rotherham hospital redevelopment is "very good"

The main entrance at Rotherham Hospital has received acclaim thanks to its outstanding environmental credentials.

Constructed by BAM Construction and designed by Race Cottam Associates, the new entrance opened last year.

The Department of Health require that all healthcare refurbishment projects achieve a rating of "Very Good" under BREEAM Healthcare guidelines and Rotherham Hospital's main entrance has achieved this standard.


John Cartwright, director of Estates and Facilities at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Factors which helped the building to achieve the "Very Good" certification include a 75% reduction in construction waste sent to landfill, a reduction in construction impacts including CO2 production, water consumption and dust pollution, training for the contractor's workforce in how to protect the site's ecology and the use of natural light where possible.

"The new main entrance at the hospital is very impressive, highly energy efficient and is well thought of by patients, staff and visitors."

Internally the building was reshaped to create better circulation for patients, visitors and staff and to incorporate features such as community corner, where community groups and service providers can promote their projects.

The major redevelopment project, which formed part of the first phase of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust's "Healthcare of Tomorrow" programme is one of a number designed by Sheffield's Race Cottom, having previously completed a new Theatre Admissions Unit and Theatre refurbishment work along with a series of other improvements at the hospital on Moorgate.

Race Cottom website
Rotherham Hospital website

Images: Race Cottom

Read more...

News: Rotherham Hospital entrance completed

BAM Construction has completed the new entrance designed by Race Cottam Associates at Rotherham Hospital.

The major redevelopment project, which formed part of the first phase of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust's "Healthcare of Tomorrow" programme is one of a number designed by the Sheffield Architects, having previously completed a new Theatre Admissions Unit and Theatre refurbishment work along with a series of other improvements at the hospital.

Tim Robinson, architect at Race Cottam, said: "The objective of improving patient experience underpinned the Rotherham Hospital project, as over 500 people use the entrance every hour. We created our designs with the intention of providing a gateway to the hospital which addresses the scale of the existing building and the services it offers, whilst offering more services for patients and visitors, and making it easier for them to find what they are looking for.

"The new entrance is in complete contrast to the previous design, which was unsuitable for modern use. The space now feels open and welcoming, whereas prior to the improvements it felt very cold and clinical."

Retail units within the entrance have been remodelled, and the patient street widened to facilitate easier access to the services. Signage has been improved and additional toilet provision and a baby feeding facility have been incorporated. External seating and improved drop-off areas have been built, covered by modern canopies. A new pedestrian crossing improves safe access from visitor car parks, enhancing the patient experience.

Matthew Lowry, Chief of Hospital for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The new entrance creates a welcoming gateway to services, transforming the experience for patients and visitors.

"Coming into a hospital environment can be daunting and these new facilities will hopefully improve the whole experience, making it easier for the patients to get around, find what they want and get the help they need."

Work at the hospital will continue into 2017 and schemes include "Future Wards", combining the latest technology and architectural design to improve patient experience, patient dignity and respect with improved facilities for patients and visitors.

Race Cottom website
Rotherham Hospital website

Images: Race Cottom

Read more...

News: Rotherham Hospital's eight year redevelopment plans announced

The first phase of an eight year programme of improvements for Rotherham Hospital has been announced, as part of the hospital’s ambitious redevelopment plans. The initiative will see Sheffield architects Race Cottam Associates design a new entrance for the hospital, develop a programme of ward refurbishments and a series of other improvements in response to the Trust's vision to create a "Hospital of Tomorrow." Brian James, Chief Executive of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We look forward to working with Race Cottam and BAM Construct UK Ltd on this programme of work, which will take place as the first stage of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust's ambitious investment project to refurbish and upgrade Rotherham Hospital. "The ward upgrades will be in line with our innovative Future Ward model, incorporating four-bedded en-suite bays and single-bedded en-suite rooms, but will also incorporate an array of technological, environmental, service and facilities improvements emerging from several major ongoing programmes of work all of which are taking place as part of our ground-breaking Hospital of Tomorrow project." Race Cottam regional director Mark Barker said: "This is a major success story for the practice. It truly reflects the strong feedback we have had for our work on P21 schemes, as well as our excellent reputation and long standing experience for delivering NHS schemes on time and on budget." It is anticipated that the first three year phase of the hospital's Site Utilisation Development Plan will commence some time in 2009, covering a range of services including the future wards project with a total value in excess of £15m with potentially eight wards being redeveloped. The second phase of the SUDP is over a four year period commencing in 2012 and will see the remaining wards modernised in a similar manner but using lessons learnt from the previous phase with a current investment of around £26m being envisaged over the period.

Race Cottom website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: AESSEAL’s green development set to boost business

The recently completed Phase IV of AESSEAL's £10m Global Technology Centre in Rotherham is set to help the award winning manufacturing business continue to grow. AESSEAL worked with leading South Yorkshire architects Race Cottam Associates to provide an additional 30,000 sq ft of production space, a new conference centre, generator building and additional storage. "Living" green roofs will support biodiversity and improve insulation, whilst rainwater will be collected and used in the wetland area already on site. Gordon Bridge, director at AESSEAL, said: "We are delighted the fourth and final phase of the new development is complete. It has given us capacity for increased UK manufacture, enabling us to extend the scope of the business. We currently sell to 93 countries, and expect to pass the 100 mark in the near future. "AESSEAL share Race Cottam's sensitivity towards environmental issues and so, as well as business requirements, it was very important that the building complemented the natural habitat we'd already achieved. The green features of the architecture have helped make it an outstanding development." Race Cottam director Dave Cottam said: "The new development has given AESSEAL the opportunity to extend the business as well as giving green solutions, which form a key part of the entire site. "AESSEAL is a prestigious partner on both a local and an international level and we are delighted with the completion of this fourth phase which finishes a process we started 12 years ago." The scheme at Templeborough was built by Ilkley Construction firm, QSP.

AESSEAL website

Race Cottam website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: AESSEAL unveil £10m development at Rotherham headquarters

One of Rotherham's most successful companies, AESSEAL, celebrated the completion of the latest phase of expansion at their Templeborough headquarters at a well attended event last week. Phase IV of AES' Global Technology Centre was officially opened by James Smith, the Chairman of Shell UK Ltd following a welcoming speech by managing director, Chris Rea, who outlined the company's history of astonishing growth, and an introduction by Rt. Hon William Hague MP. Phase IV is a £10m state-of-the-art investment in UK manufacturing including nine axis machining centres which are dedicated to AESSEAL's move into hydrocarbon processing. AESSEAL worked with leading South Yorkshire architects Race Cottam Associates to provide an additional 30,000 sq ft of production space, a new conference centre, generator building and additional storage. "Living" green roofs will support biodiversity and improve insulation, whilst rainwater will be collected and used in the wetland area already on site. The production unit will provide room for growth over the next three years and it is hoped that turnover will double from £72 million by 2012. AESSEAL is a global company, employing over 1,000 people, that designs & manufactures mechanical seals and engineered sealing systems. Staff from 36 AESSEAL subsidiaries from across the globe gathered in Rotherham for the event.
AESSEAL website
Rotherham

Read more...

News: Work finishes on Rotherham manufacturer’s US facility

Work has finished on a project to build a cutting edge facility in America for a Rotherham based manufacturer. South Yorkshire architects Race Cottam Associates were brought in by multi-award winning international manufacturer AESSEAL to produce design concepts for the 40,000 sq ft US production plant, incorporating offices and training areas. The practice was asked to come up with designs for the site in Knoxville, Tennessee having worked with AESSEAL over the last 12 years to design and help deliver the four phase expansion of the company’s Rotherham based Global Technology Centre. Plans for the project involved the conversion of a former cutlery works in a spectacular rural setting to create a clean environment for the manufacture of high-specification mechanical seals. Gordon Bridge, Director of AESSEAL said: “The designs for our new site in Knoxville are exceptional and complement our existing world class facilities.” AESSEAL, an international company, has subsidiaries in 30 countries, employing more than 1,000 people, and exporting 80 per cent of its production to 83 countries.

Aesseal website

Rotherham

Read more...

News: Planning granted for Rotherham landmark

The Moorgate area of Rotherham is set for another landmark building. Award-winning architects Race Cottam Associates submitted plans on behalf of Rotherham based Horbury Estates Ltd to create 60 new apartments at Moorgate House in Hollowgate. The scheme will retain the building's original Victorian red brick façade as part of a major conservation project. Moorgate House was built in the 1850s as two luxury semi-detached villas. In 1858 the building was owned by renowned local industrialist and iron founder William Owen. The villas were converted into offices in 1929 and a prominent, incongruous tower was added in the 1950s. The building was last used as trade union offices until 2004. Race Cottam also designed the RiDO run Moorgate Crofts Business Centre adjacent to Moorgate House and project architect Peter Fauset said: "This is a really exciting conservation project for one of Rotherham's most treasured buildings and we are delighted the building's original Victorian façade will form a key part of the redevelopment."
Horbury website
Race Cottam website
Construction Mall article

Rotherham

Read more...