'Monster' Order For ASHFIX Fasteners


The 40,000 square metre aptly named Godzilla distribution centre at Marsh Leys in Bedford has been completed using Ash & Lacy's Ashfix stainless steel colour match self-drilling and tapping fasteners. The building, which is being leased to Woolworths to service the company's distribution network in the south east, is owned by Gazeley Properties, a subsidiary of WalMart, who have developed more than two million square metres of distribution space in the last 15 years.

On a project of this scale, with the extensive cladding and roofing required, speed of response was vital, with a tight eight week cladding programme to work to. Cladding Contractor Roof Concept UK selected Ash & Lacy as the fastener supplier from four companies put forward, primarily due to Ash & Lacy's strong commitment to service the project. This was demonstrated by the appointment of an internal co-ordinator dedicated specifically to the project, along with a same-day site support service and on-site delivery checks.

A graduated colour cladding was employed to create a 'banding' effect to reduce the impact of such a large-scale building and the capacity to colour match the Ashfix fasteners was also a significant advantage.

The quality of the fasteners, which were required to satisfy a 25-year warranty for product used on the building, was ensured through Ash & Lacy's two tier in-house testing programme.

Approved for use by many of the UK's leading cladding manufacturers, the Ashfix range of stainless steel, carbon steel and colour headed fastener options provide the ultimate fixing solution for light and heavy section built-up and composite panel applications. Fastener lengths are available to accommodate all current construction elements and drill points are designed to accommodate UK steel thickness. This optimises hole diameter to thread engagement thus ensuring maximum holding power performance.

This is the first of Gazeley's developments to use an 'Eco-Template' policy which features eleven initiatives to create a 'greener' building, including water heating through solar thermal power and a wind turbine to generate power for the offices. Overall, this site will reduce water and energy use, harvesting its own rainwater and reducing emissions of harmful CO₂