Panelto Foods, a privately-owned Irish company, is planning a 5000m² extension to its existing food plant in Longford.
The extension, which was granted planning permission by Longford County Council earlier this year, will double production capacity at the plant and help the company meet strong sales growth in the Irish and UK food markets.
Roughan & O'Donovan has been appointed as civil and structural engineers and PSDP. The main contractor is SISK.
The new plant consists of a double bay propped steel portal frame, braced in both directions.
The decision to use a steel-frame construction method was driven by 2 important considerations:
- A tight construction programme
- The need to integrate a walk-on ceiling to carry numerous services and an intermediate plant room
An industrial ground floor slab extends across the whole building footprint, with one recess for an insulated cold store. The ground slab abuts the existing operational food production facility.
Ground improvement proved necessary to increase the bearing pressure of the receiving ground, and Keller was appointed as specialist sub-contractor for the design and installation of vibro stone columns. Traditional reinforced concrete pad foundations support the primary steel columns.
The extension is projected to be fully functional by mid-2018.
