Enquiries are coming in thick and fast at Prodek Design and Storage Systems. Business development manager Ben Ellis tells unLTD how projects across the city are forging ahead as business leaders are quietly optimistic about the future
“We’re pleased to be in high demand. It has been an anxious year for business so to see the first signs of green shoots – in a year dominated by the government roadmap – has allowed us to breathe a small, tentative sigh of relief.”
Prodek design and install bespoke storage systems for all business sectors. From towering racking for vehicle recyclers to elegant restaurant mezzanine floors, Prodek’s raison d'être is to maximise every square metre a business has available.
“We can completely transform an entire workspace, from the warehouse to client meeting areas. We can install a mezzanine to increase floorspace, bespoke racking and shelving all the way to the rafters, create rooms with partitions, then totally redesign and refurbish office spaces.”
While racking and mezzanine floors might not seem particularly exciting, the impact these systems have on business costs and operations is where the wow-factor becomes apparent.
Soaring e-commerce demand is a key factor in Prodek’s recent surge in enquiries.
“In distribution, speed and accuracy are where the competitive edge lies. Fulfilment centres are popping up across the region and existing warehouses are investing heavily to increase throughput.”
Storage infrastructure plays a significant part in maximising ROI for every square metre and boosting accuracy and speed in picking and packing operations. Prodek regularly provide site surveys for retailers and distributors looking to fine-tune their warehouse operations.
“A well-known reusable transit packaging company in Sheffield asked us to look at their warehouse. Raw materials were received on all kinds of non-standard pallet sizes with excessive overhang. Everything had to be stored on the floor, which severely reduced capacity and slowed operations to an unacceptable level.”
Prodek engineers will find all the pinch points, every metre that is underutilised, identify risks, and recommend a perfect-fit storage system to enhance operations.
“We installed a bespoke racking system designed to accommodate various pallet sizes and overhang, using a layout to speed up FLT picking processes and made the warehouse a lot safer. They are now enjoying appreciably more return per square metre.”
The future of the office has been under the spotlight since the government ordered the country to work from home last year. With many businesses now planning a staged return to the office, changes to the office environment are inevitable.
“Business owners are enquiring with our office refurbishment team to prepare for a return to the office this summer. The focus here is on creating space for social distancing, enhancing airflow, and segregating open plan offices to create individual workspaces.”
When it comes to office design, a ‘one size fits all’ approach is unlikely to work. Every team is different and has unique needs in their workspace.
“Fortunately, every Prodek project is bespoke so redesigning how space is used to enhance staff experience and safety is an exciting challenge for our design team. Our glass partitions are proving themselves as the best way to balance light, space and safety needs.”
The way we work is likely to change for good. There will be a new balance of social contact for mental health while working safely in shared spaces. With scientists warning of more pandemics on the horizon due to global environment degradation, workspaces will need to adapt to this new reality.
Prodek engineers are completely transforming offices across the region, with fast turnaround times and little disruption. They cover every requirement – storage, desking and seating, segregating offices, safety signage, with full mechanical and electrical systems (M&E) and redecoration covered.
“Business owners are embracing change. There is certainly a solution for every budget. Many workers in Sheffield will think they’ve turned up at the wrong place when they return to the office this summer.”
Despite the uncertainty of the last year, work to develop Sheffield city centre continues apace. The Government’s Future High Streets Fund is providing momentum for the Heart of the City project to fulfil its ambitions. Development work is predicted to continue beyond the scope of the project as the city centre is likely to attract the attention of investors.
“City centre properties are on the agenda for full refurbishment. The street level will be developed for retail, culture and hospitality, and the upper levels transformed into work and living spaces. The potential to repurpose existing property is phenomenal.”
City centre property owners have an opportunity to maximise their assets on the back of the scheme. With the help of a specialist contractor like Prodek, new life can be breathed into a property without having to invest in structural alterations.
“Property owners can make full use of space maximising solutions, like our Made in Sheffield mezzanine floors, to get the most out of a unit.”
Mezzanine floors are ideal to increase retail space by up to 100 per cent and are a low-cost alternative when faced with moving to bigger premises. Partitions offer a stylish, space enhancing method to segregate large, open areas on a temporary or permanent basis. Glass partitions are an increasingly popular method to provide versatile spaces without impeding natural light.
You can see the results for yourself – Prodek recently installed new mezzanine floors for Firehouse Fitness, and Bullion Chocolate, and partitioning at Silversmiths Restaurant in the city centre.
“We have worked with well-established businesses, perfectly located for their customers and staff, but in desperate need of more space. We have increased their floorspace and storage capacity to avoid a costly and disruptive move.”
