Re-Reconfiguring High Density Mobile Storage Solution

Moving a Major Mobile Shelving System

Thistle Systems has demonstrated the durability and flexibility of its high-density mobile storage solution by relocating and reconfiguring a solution it originally installed over 12 years ago.
The archive storage solution for a global brand had already been reconfigured and extended several years ago, however after being awarded a major contract, the area had been earmarked to create a new canteen facility for incoming workers.
The new space presented a number of challenges that had to be overcome, and had it not been for the fact that Thistle had successfully reconfigured and redesigned the system previously, the client possibly wouldn’t have considered.
Firstly, the floor area was marginally smaller and different in dimensions which would require the layout of the mobile shelving to be redesigned.
Secondly, the new area had a number of support columns in the middle of the area, which would have to be incorporated into the designs.
However, the main challenge was that the mobile shelving had to be moved from the ground floor to the first floor of the building – and the impact this would have on the structural support of the solution.
With over 26 years of experience in designing, servicing and installing high-density mobile storage solutions, Thistle brought all of its expertise to redesign and reconfigure the solution to achieve the objectives and, most importantly, deliver the same capacity.
The footprint was redesigned to take into consideration the dimensions of the room with the angular shape incorporated with a stepped design, and columns were incorporated into static bays to maximise space utilisation.
The change in the footprint of the mobile shelving bases demanded slightly different gearing to move larger blocks of shelving.
Thistle was able to demonstrate its project management and installation expertise by working closely and coordinating works with the main fit-out contractor as they developed the kitchen area and surrounding fittings for the BAE staff.
The utilisation of an existing but dormant 3-metre hatch in the existing building’s facade enabled Thistle Systems to dramatically reduce the time required to move materials from the external ground floor to the first floor of the new area, which also presented numerous health and safety benefits by minimising the levels of manual handling.

What we did

• Originally installed the archive storage system 12 years previously
• Already relocated and extended the system once to facilitate growth
• Relocated and reconfigured the archive storage solution to suit unusual shaped room
• Providing 1956 linear metres of storage
• Completed in 4 phases to allow client to dovetail with main contractor on project