Cushman & Wakefield - Spreetail

Pexhurst undertakes the fit-out of a new build industrial warehouse to support the global expansion of the incoming logistics tenant

Pexhurst were commissioned by Spreetail, a US-based e-commerce company, to carry out a Category B fit-out of an existing new build industrial unit at the Ascent Logistics Park. Located in Bedfordshire, the park comprises eight units, and offers direct access to the motorway via Leighton Buzzard’s new Link Road, which is emerging as a highly sought-after area for industrial and logistics space. Valued at £1.1m, the project is part of Spreetail’s growth strategy, designed to support their expansion into the European market. The end-to-end eCommerce company are a top seller on both Amazon and eBay in the US along with selling on 17 other marketplaces.

Prior to taking occupancy, Pexhurst, were commissioned by the US based e-commerce company to fit out the fulfilment centre, working in partnership with Cushman and Wakefield as the contract administration and project managers. The challenge facing the project was the short programme duration. Pexhurst were selected to execute the ambitious project due to their experience in fast-track deliveries from RIBA stage 1.

Pexhurst were given an eight-week timeframe from the initial preparation and briefing stage to completion of the RIBA Stage Four programme to ensure that the 14-week fit-out would deliver in time for Spreetail to begin trading. The timely completion of the fit-out guaranteed that Spreetail were able to trade earlier than anticipated and to take full advantage of the summer selling season.

The project consisted of the formation of a staff recreation and breakout area to the undercroft as well as offices and meeting areas to the 1st and 2nd floor of the existing accommodation to a CAT B standard. The fulfilment centre also had to have the main logistics space augmented with the addition of lighting, racking and packing stations to allow the space to be fully functional.

Pexhurst undertook remote design workshops and design team meetings with the client to ensure that it hit the ground running on designs, given this project’s immediate timeframe. The fast-tracked project was kept to programme by understanding Spreetail’s requirements, early planning with contractors, and round-the-clock dedication from the team to make the site ready for the incoming tenant’s use. Spreetail and Pexhurst employed remote stand-up meetings daily to ensure that any issues were reviewed regularly to keep works progressing.

All Ascent Logistics Park units were built with sustainability in mind, integrated with smart design and have achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’. Remaining in line with the pre-existing sustainable design of the Ascent Logistics Park units, Pexhurst undertook the CAT B fit out with an EPC from the client on completion, thus maintaining the desired 'A' rating.