Penneys/Primark Distribution Centre, Newbridge
DBFL is pleased to share our involvement in the Penneys/Primark Distribution Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, delivered for Barola, working with TSL Projects. DBFL provided civil, structural and transportation engineering services from feasibility through construction, with the base build reaching practical completion in February 2023. We continue to support the fit out of the semi-automated warehouse, offices and ancillary buildings.
The 64,550 sq.m development comprises office accommodation, a Recovery Recycling Unit, a Pallet Storage Building and a Security Gatehouse, along with extensive HGV, car and bicycle parking. Working closely with the wider design team, DBFL developed an efficient site layout that reduced unnecessary hardstanding, enhanced landscaping and integrated a robust SUDs strategy. Our team also designed all associated infrastructure, including foul and surface water drainage and water supply services.
The main warehouse consists of a 310m by 145m steel portal frame with two mezzanine levels. A fibre mesh ground slab on driven precast piles was designed to tightly control settlement beneath the high bay semi-automated storage system, while the frame was engineered to limit sway well below typical portal frame behaviour to meet stringent automation tolerances.
A key challenge was balancing earthworks to eliminate soil export and reduce imported material. DBFL developed a stabilisation strategy that enabled the reuse of excavated material across the piling platform, hardstanding and roads, with landscape bunds incorporated to accommodate excess soil and screen the building. Sustainability measures also included soil stabilisation to reduce capping thickness and the use of grasscrete to promote infiltration and soften the visual impact of parking areas.
DBFL is proud to have delivered innovative and efficient engineering solutions that support the operation of this highly automated logistics facility.
