Challenge:
Company Overview: Linxon is a prominent engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company that specializes in delivering turnkey electrical AC substation projects, catering primarily to the power and energy sectors. It is part of a merger between Atkins Réalis and Hitachi Energy Group. Linxon primarily serves the power and energy sectors, with particular expertise in Renewable Energy Integration, Grid Modernization, Urban Electrification.
Access and Timing: Linxon have multiple sites around the world, we were asked to supply their site at Hinkley C Nuclear Power Plant. With a site of such scale and magnitude, it was vitally important that the delivery of the 40' Shipping container was done correctly, upholding the strictest and highest standards in safety measures. Timing was also important as we had a specific window that we had to meet and a large distance to travel been a 564 mile round trip.
Short Lead Time: We were all asked to have the unit turned out in a short lead time of 4 weeks. With an already overflowing work order list and some large on going projects on site. This time was going to be a big challenge to ensure we can meet the quality standards required by ourselves and of course our client in this short period.
Colour Matching & Branding: We were also tasked with creating specific colour coding from the team to match with existing environmental palettes and brand colours. This was so it would comfortably fit into its surroundings. Because of the location the unit was going to be sat, it would receive a high volume of traffic, so the team at Linxon were keen for it to be a good representation of the companies high standards.
Solution:
Access and Timing: We worked closely with the management team at Linxon based in Hinkley C to ensure the unit was delivered on time. Multiple meetings took place with this in mind, we followed the specific instructions handed to us by the Facility management team and the expertise of the team at Linxon meant we were comfortable in our operations. The side curtain shipping container delivered on a flat bed truck, was met by a crane brought in by the Linxon team to complete the offload.
Short Lead Time: With a short period of time in order for us to create the bespoke shipping container and deliver the unit, A strong plan was needed. We began by pinning down the exact scope of the project needed, going over any potential extra work that may be included, so this could be offered prior to the work been committed. Its often very easy for us to make on the fly changes to projects, but this could not occur in such a short window. We also instantly began planning how and when the delivery would occur. This allowed us a nice time leading towards the delivery to iron out any specifics.
Colour Matching: Aesthetics are important to the Century team. The look and feel of such a large container in certain settings can help to blend into its surroundings, especially as mentioned in regards to the local of the container. We had multiple options for the shipping container colour scheme, Whites, Blues and Reds were an option. We decided upon a Ultramarine Blue that is RAL 5002. This was to match the Linxon logo.
Outcome:
The outcome of this project was a fantastic looking, designed for purpose 40' High Cube, Curtain Sided Shipping Container. The team were able to create the modified container comfortably within the time frame given by the commissioning company.
We added a few small touches that you can see below in the pictures. Firstly we redesigned how we fit the pelmet, in order to have a more secure system for it to lock in to. Our next upgrade was the addition of a trim fitted to the container for the curtain lashings to sit on. This trim is a rubber lined with a metal insert for extra strength an retention. The lashings hold securely onto this. It looked fantastic and created extra longevity.
Continuous improvement is key to our production at Century Containers. This means we are always looking to better our last project, anytime we are commissioned we always take time to look at previous iterations and see how we can improve on design and working processes. To quote our Production and Workshop manager Garry 'Everything is a Draft'.
Find out how we can can create bespoke solutions for your shipping container by getting in touch with our team!
Conclusion:
This was a fantastic experience for the team at Century Containers to work with such a large, organised company that is world renowned. To deliver to a site of significant that comes with its own challenges. But most importantly to deliver on all aspects of the project.
We received a short testimonial from the Senior Construction Manager Kevin Hill as follows:
I would like to forward our appreciation of the way our order and delivery has been handled by yourself, it was a pleasure to work with you and it was a breath of fresh air, to find someone that takes everything in their stride, and nothing is too much trouble.
