press release

SSI Schaefer Designs the Perfect Stores System for Eurostar

May 2008

Following a very thorough tendering process with exacting specifications from Eurostar that included requirements for heavy duty racking and shelving, high beam, high shelf and high bay loads plus bespoke rack designs to suit certain spare parts, SSI Schaefer was awarded the contract and work began.

Graham Plester, Project Manager, SSI Schaefer, said: "We were confident in our ability to provide Eurostar with an innovative, efficiently running Engineering Centre on-time and within budget and winning the contract to work with such a high profile company was a proud moment for SSI Schaefer."

The multi-product storage system includes the main engineering store for the site and various ancillary locations throughout the site. The building, which is in excess of 400 metres in length, now includes products such as Schaefer's PR600 pallet racking, Regal 7000 high bay shelving, cantilever racking, mesh cages and mezzanine floors.

The small parts shelving was installed in two blocks, one at eight metres high accessed by high level order picking trucks and the other at five point five metres high, also accessed by high level order picking trucks but with the addition of an over-sailing mezzanine floor and shelving mounted on the floor. SSI Schaefer was able to meet the high shelf and bay loads required by using the Regal 7000 shelving system.

Using the PR600 pallet racking system, SSI Schaefer was able to provide Eurostar with 25 tonne bay loads together with specialist design features to suit both the building and train parts. Specialist racks were installed for storing train panels, for example, doors, which involved some novel design solutions which, once again, SSI Schaefer was able to meet and exceed.

Kris Christaki, Infrastructure Engineer, Eurostar, said: "We are delighted with the new engineering centre at Leyton, London. A first class and versatile storage facility for Eurostar to a high standard has been installed. Changes were dealt with efficiently and quickly during the design and installation phase of the project. SSI safety standards were found to be extremely high and all our concerns were dealt with quickly. SSI Schaefer worked within our budget and finished the development in time for the grand opening."

A close relationship was paramount throughout the whole project between SSI Schaefer and Eurostar's infrastructure engineers to ensure that the works were completed in-time for the official opening of the Eurostar Engineering Centre Temple Mills by Tom Harris MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport on 2 October 2007. The opening went as planned ahead of the date when trains started using the new high speed rail link into St Pancras Station on 14 November 2007 and the whole site went live for the maintenance of Eurostar's fleet of trains.

www.ssi-schaefer.co.uk

-- Ends --

Media Enquiries:

Charlotte Lockwood, Account Manager
Harvest Marketing Communications
Tel: 023 9244 9655
Email: [email protected]

Eurostar press office: +44 (0)20 7843 5500, or [email protected]

Note to Editors:

SSI Schaefer is the UK's leading storage and materials handling equipment solutions provider.

Based in Andover, Hampshire, the company, provider of shelving, racking, containers, workshop equipment, office furniture and waste management systems, has built its reputation on an unwavering commitment to excellence - in the people it chooses to serve, its customers and the products it brings to the market.

SSI Schaefer has developed a unique partnering approach, through which the company works hand in hand with their customers to develop, design and implement the most innovative yet cost effective solution for each project - regardless of its size.

Whether the needs is for a new shelving or racking system, additional storage space, a mezzanine floor or the completion of an automated distribution centre, SSI Schaefer prides itself on going the extra mile to fulfill and deliver the best solutions ... on time and to budget.

For further information:
SSI Schaefer - 01264 386600
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ssi-schaefer.co.uk