
Background
Burton-based Knott-Avonride Ltd (with three sites in the UK) are suppliers of axles, brakes, cables, chassis and overrun couplings for trailers and industrial applications. With national and international customers that demand the very best; it is paramount that the operational departments at the Europa House site, have optimum working conditions to fulfill orders.
The Challenge
Several light fittings had failed in production areas, administrative offices as well as in the warehouse. Onsite teams had repaired lamps in the more accessible fixtures, however the repair of the high bay lighting positioned 20 to 40 foot above the warehouse floor was proving problematic, especially above areas where forklift trucks would normally operate. Over a period of time, the number of broken fittings became significant enough to warrant a repair and replacement project.
The Contractor
Having provided electrical contracting services for Knott-Avonride for many years; Yee Group was invited to quote for replacing the failed light fittings. General Manager Jason Cooper said, “We are always happy to provide a quote to fix a customer’s immediate requirements, however, we always try to recommend an option that will help meet their longer-term needs, with particular emphasis on cost and energy use”. Jason continued, “our long-standing relationship with Knott-Avonride and our understanding of their needs, enabled us to develop a scenario-based quotation for the company to consider”.
The Solution
Yee Group have many years’ experience designing and installing lighting in tough commercial environments to BS EN 12464-1. Our knowledge of the illumination requirements for the different zones of the site such as: manned and unmanned gangways in the warehouse, task lighting at work benches and in offices, enabled us to develop 3 options for the client. Jason quoted for options ranging from the replacement of the existing broken fittings only, to a complete upgrade of the lighting scheme using LED lamps. Knott-Avonride opted for the LED lighting solution which allowed newly positioned work zones that had resulted from recent expansion of the business, to be covered by the new lighting scheme.
Benefits
“Once we decided to opt for the full LED solution, Yee Group deployed their team swiftly. They used work platforms which were specified to fit between our racking and scheduled the works to accommodate busy operational areas including some with active forklift trucks. “The team at Yee Group have the expertise, knowledge and understanding of customer requirements when it comes to working in a live manufacturing environment”, said Neil Collins, Director & Company Secretary at Knott-Avonride. Neil continued “We have seen immediate benefits from the uniform illuminance that the LED lighting installation has made to the assembly tasks we are carrying out in these locations. The new lighting scheme has had an impact on visual comfort, performance and safety. The benefits in terms of energy savings and the durability of the new fixtures are the added benefit”.