Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Post provided on behalf of Spaciotempo.

Commercial trailer manufacturer Dennison opted to create its Centre of Excellence robotics training facility at the company’s Irish base using semi-permanent buildings specialist Spaciotempo.

Faced with the challenge of restricted and limited space at the firm’s site in Naas, Dennison opted for a semi-permanent structure to provide an instant building and one that can be moved if required with ease and extended with minimal disruption.

As innovation is at the heart of Dennison’s ethos, thinking innovatively about creating space was key as the firm strives to encourage new talent into the industry, training the very best skilled workforce to ensure the company’s continued success in Ireland, the UK and across Europe.

Donal Coyle, Senior Procurement & Production Manager of Dennison explains: “Our industry desperately needs to recruit and train skilled workers to survive and making those jobs attractive is key to encouraging youngsters into the trade.  We’ve invested in robotic technology in a bid to increase further the quality of our manufacturing, but equally to provide our workforce with additional skills to further their development and job satisfaction.

“As a business we are continually focused on innovation by applying cutting edge design that aligns to the specific and changing requirements of our customers.  Training our workforce is an intrinsic part of that mission.  When we decided to create our Centre of Excellence our challenge was not on fulfilling the training and investment in new equipment side of the initiative, it was focused on where we could physically put the centre.  Spaciotempo’s semi-permanent structure provided the perfect solution as we could erect the building instantly and it is a more cost effective option than a permanent structure.”

Dennison, which has a workforce in Ireland of 110 and a factory in Lancaster employing 60, was the first company to introduce the sliding bogie skeletal trailer into the market and has served customers for over 50 years.  The firm has invested in two robots and is looking to expand to four by the end of 2017 and is currently working with Spaciotempo to extend its 75 metre square semi-permanent structure at its Naas site to accommodate the additional equipment and provide further space for training.

Spaciotempo’s Managing Director, Scott Jameson added: “The use of temporary or semi-permanent buildings can be a key enabler for growth for firms looking to balance the cost of expansion and provide flexibility in capital expenditure.  Temporary or semi-permanent structures are both more cost-effective and quicker to install than permanent buildings, offering a viable and innovative solution.  Dennison is a great example of how firms are looking innovatively at space creation, not just for storage and warehousing, but building facilities for other business requirements and demonstrates how a semi-permanent structure can be used in the same way as a permanent building for either housing people or goods.”