Client
AstraZeneca
Project size
18,000 sq ft
Contractor/Architect
Boulting Environmental Services (BES)
Fire engineer
Design fire consultants

 

Future pharmaceutical growth enabled with development of sophisticated site

One of the world’s pharmaceutical giants chose Macclesfield as its UK home many years ago. Since then, AstraZeneca has been continually creating jobs and developing state of the art facilities in the region.

From its site at Charter Way, Silk Road Business Park, AstraZeneca employs around 3,500 people across a variety of operations including IT and science, as well as an additional manufacturing arm which accounts for 900 workers.

In 2016, it opted to improve its facility with a major upgrade and future-fit-out across its warehouse, packing and logistics spaces. The project involved full design, construction and commissioning of a new high level storage bar, a low bay warehouse refurbishment, a technically-demanding Global Packing Centre and installation of a mezzanine floor.

Additionally, designer and developer Boulting Environmental Services (BES) integrated a common secondary packing space, along with wash bay, tool store and associated office accommodation.

We were appointed to undertake complete building control services as the scheme’s Approved Inspector, which included a particularly complex fire strategy. BES incorporated a hypoxic fire suppression system into the mechanical services to reduce fire risk and protect stored goods from fire suppressants, which needed highly technical inspection to ensure it met regulations and was fit for purpose.

The finished project provides the sophisticated infrastructure required to support AstraZeneca’s future growth in Macclesfield, meaning the heart of its service continues to contribute to the Northern economy.