Steel framed specialists Wareing Buildings embarks on digitalisation process with adoption of ground-breaking tech

Fifth-generation steel framed manufacturer and contractor, Wareing Buildings, has completed the first phase of a new industry-leading digitalisation strategy, transforming the efficiency of its operations.

Part of a three-year programme of investment into additional buildings, equipment and technology totalling c£1.8m, the digitisation initiative augments existing technology and BIM, to provide customers with real-time information on design, manufacture and dispatch throughout the project delivery process via a single, easy-to-use online system.

The Tekla PowerFab suite of software will enable Wareing Buildings to minimise the use of paper drawings and manual tracking, to achieve greater efficiency. This aligns with the company’s ethos of advancing its proposition to meet contemporary demands – something it has done throughout its long history.

Since its founding over a century ago, the proud family-owned business – which operates from purpose-built premises at Whinbrick Works off Blackpool Road – has grown its offering over time from a manufacturer and erecter of steel framed agricultural buildings to supply large commercial and residential schemes. Today, its project portfolio includes the ongoing preservation of the Victorian architecture at St Anne’s Pier, restoring the ageing steel work throughout.

A DISTINCTIVE LYTHAM RESIDENCE

Leveraging its digital capabilities, Wareing Buildings’ recent technological acquisition proved essential in designing and fabricating steel frames for a modern 13,000 sq ft luxury residence in Lytham, designed by Ben Jurin Architecture.

Appointed by the architect, Wareing Buildings faced challenges unique among residential projects, such as implementing vast steel trusses to support larger-than-normal windows, which also acted as the fixing point to reinforce the top of 13m-wide sliding glass doors. To add to the complexity, many oversize windows were equipped for automatic opening and closing, while restricted to a deflection margin of just 5mm – extremely tight parameters to be working with.

Successfully achieving this intrinsic and collaborative working between the Wareing Buildings team, Ben Jurin Architecture and the appointed glazers, was achieved by the Tekla software.

Integrating seamlessly with BIM, this technology is unlike traditional analysis software, in that it allows Wareing Buildings’ expert team to create physical, information-rich models with embedded intelligence for full automation allowing the team to change the design and manage project changes as needed.

Jason Worledge, an engineer with Wareing Buildings, said: “Feedback from Ben Jurin Architecture has been extremely positive, particularly that the Tekla software enabled collaborative workflows giving all suppliers real-time updates on the building’s progress and facilitating effective communication. Continuing to advance our technological capabilities is a key component in developing the business to meet the ongoing needs of our valued clients.”

WHITEHILLS BUSINESS PARK

The state-of-the-art technology will also support the business in continuing to deliver complex large-scale commercial projects at the highest standard of excellence. This will enable Wareing Buildings to maintain the outstanding relationships which underpin its success, such as that it has built over many projects with business accommodation provider Henco International.

Wareing Buildings was appointed to deliver Henco’s latest project: a dual-unit 20,000 sq ft commercial warehouse development at Whitehills Business Park, of which 12,000 sq ft remains available to let. Designed to offer high quality storage, offices and distribution space, the new developments would offer commuters easy access to the M55 and by extension the M6. Wareing Buildings’ remit included site preparation and clearance, implementing concrete foundations and strip footings, the fabrication and erection of the steel frame structure and construction of external cavity brick walls and more.

Simon Tickle, senior estimator at Wareing Buildings, said: “Since the first spade was put into the ground at Whitehills Business Park, we have worked in partnership with Henco to develop spaces that will serve to drive forward the commercial sector in the region and make the area a thriving business hub.

“We are proud to work with premier architecture and development firms across the Fylde Coast, and look forward to leveraging each phase of our digital transformation journey to provide a more efficient design and fabrication process, enabled by real-time data and collaborative workflows. This approach in turn ensures that our projects progress smoothly and cost-effectively with every step.”

For more information on Wareing Buildings and its services, contact via:
E: [email protected] T: 01772 682 159 W: www.wareingbuildings.co.uk

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