How we expanded storage space and created a showroom

Transforming a large, open warehouse into smaller, multi-functional offices.

Kempston Controls

Client: Kempston Controls

Projects: A warehouse refurbishment and transformation into office space.

Included: Space planning, project management, design of works, partitioning, suspended ceiling installation, small kitchen installation, decoration and flooring

Contractor Team: Partition fitters, ceiling fitters, decorators, tape & jointing fitters, carpet fitters

Project Duration: 14 weeks

Date Completed: July 2021

Who's the customer?

Kempston Controls, located in the centre of the UK, is a leading distributor of electrical process control and automation products, and electronic components. They have a world-leading reputation for stock, service, competitive pricing and next-day delivery.

Having previously partnered with Cubex on another project, Cubex was the clear choice when their existing warehouse space needed refurbishing.

What was the brief?

After needing additional space for some time, the customer moved their operational warehouse to a new location, keeping their pre-existing warehouse as the hub for all office-based staff, meetings and company visitors. To create a multi-functional office space including reception area, kitchen and boardroom, Kempston Controls needed their open warehouse to be transformed into smaller, multi-functional office spaces.

“Big projects require trust – both in the quality of the work and the vision for what is being proposed. We’ve worked with Cubex before and so we knew that bringing them in again for this important project made complete sense. We like the way that they think about space and how they get the most out of all available areas. The project team is professional and reliable and because Cubex work on large scale projects on a regular basis, we knew they would manage the project schedule to allow our electrical work to be carried out independently. The end result speaks for itself – another Cubex success. Thanks again to Andy, Kris and the team.”

Kempston Controls

What did we propose?

We reviewed the customer’s needs and put together a plan to transform the large warehouse into a welcoming office space for staff and visitors alike. After identifying key elements of the workplace refurbishment, we put forward a proposal with the following space planning and design suggestions:

The premises was a warehouse and maintenance office and although it was in use, it was run down and dilapidated and therefore not suitable to refurbish. We proposed to gut out the whole of the downstairs area including the staircase (old concrete without plasterboard – like an unused entrance), meaning we weren’t working around any old fixtures.
Replace the front reception doors so that visitors would be greeted with an impressive entrance that mirrored the soon-to-be modern office space inside.
Re-clad around the windows to help uphold the wall structure, preventing damage to the windows from general wear and tear and strong weather.
Use stud walls to divide the large warehouse into smaller workspaces with seamless glass partitioning to help natural light though.
A suspended ceiling to provide a clean, smooth finish to the internal ceiling of their new space, hiding all electrical wires and pipework.

About the project

The project was completed in July 2021 over a 14 week period – slightly longer than we would usually anticipate as the customer implemented their own electrical systems and, in order to comply with the ongoing Coronavirus social distancing measures, the Cubex team left the premises during this time (hence the extended project timeline).

We visited the site on three separate occasions prior to commencing the project, and the Cubex Project Manager visited a number of times during the installation to monitor the progress.

Our key milestones included:

Demolition of two days to create a clean area to work from.
The internal walls and ceiling works were completed just two weeks into the project.
Fitting and tracking for the glass partitioning and new front doors for the entrance area.
Flooring and decorating.

We were off-site for about 5-6 weeks for two teams of electricians to do their work and awaited the creation and delivery of the bespoke doors along with a bespoke entrance mat with the client’s logo.

Notes: before images are prior to demolition.