Nestlé Ltd – Product Technology Centre – York
Nestlé R&D Centre was located on its own site within the Nestlé main factory in York. This facility was originally constructed in two phases in 1988 and 1990 by the Austin Company with provision to extend the Pilot Plant to the North up to the site boundary.
Nestlé identified a need to extend and adapt the Centre to accommodate additional staff, to enlarge Pilot Plant Halls, improve storage capacity and material flow, an increased hygiene regime and provide better conference and meeting facilities.
Nestlé also required the facility to be upgraded to a similar standard to other Nestlé Product Technology Centres around the World. Extensions to a total of 19002m. were constructed to provide additional space.
The major planning complexity was to provide a sufficiently large area to accommodate the increase in office staff all in the same area. The solution was to relocate the existing ground level laboratory.
Nestlé remained in occupation for the duration of the construction period, so works had to be very carefully planned and carried out in phases. In some instances construction work had to be implemented in four different areas at the same time, requiring careful supervision and coordination.
The replacement laboratory was completed first and fully fitted out to allow the original laboratory to be vacated. As each successive section was completed, this was re-occupied by Nestlé, thus vacating another area.
The Austin Company provided feasibility studies, preliminary design, detailed engineering, procurement and construction management services, to carry out the works. Throughout the design period the Austin Company collaborated with Nestlé Head Office in Switzerland and their consultant architects to ensure the corporate image was incorporated in the works.