Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,222 companies....

Construction News

14/04/2025

McLaren Construction Midlands And North Unveils UK's Largest Cold Storage Facility

Construction News Image
McLaren Construction Midlands and North has completed a landmark development in the logistics sector with the successful delivery of the UK's largest automated cold storage facility, built for Magnavale Ltd, a leading provider of temperature-controlled warehousing and value-added services.

Standing 47 metres tall and boasting storage for up to 101,000 pallets, the purpose-built, fully automated facility near Grantham sets a new benchmark in sustainable cold storage. The 474,283 sq. ft. site operates at a standard internal temperature of -20°C, with capabilities to reach as low as -28°C, and is powered entirely by renewable energy.

Beyond its sheer size, the development features a five-storey office block, expansive external yards, HGV marshalling zones, and a large car park for staff. State-of-the-art refrigeration systems ensure optimal storage conditions for frozen goods supplied by major UK retailers.
-- Advertisement --
hss



The construction process was complex and logistically demanding. McLaren’s team maintained uninterrupted access to the neighbouring McCain food production facility, an existing cold store, and a live water treatment plant throughout the build. The site, formerly home to an iron ore drift mine, required extensive demolition and environmentally managed waste removal.

With underground space limited, an innovative gantry system was installed to house vital services above ground. Engineers also introduced a contractor-designed steel fibre slab, streamlining the build by removing the need for over 20 steel fixers. A refurbished on-site gas generator now supplies 1.45MW of power, while an on-site concrete batching plant was established to overcome logistical challenges of large-scale concrete deliveries.

Precision planning was essential in managing the arrival and installation of 90 shipping containers' worth of automated conveyor systems. McLaren also coordinated a diverse international workforce, including a specialised team from Bosnia, to meet the technical demands of the project.

Now fully operational, the cold store marks a significant leap forward for Magnavale and the wider industry — combining scale, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The facility is positioned as one of Europe’s most advanced hubs for cold chain logistics, ready to support growing consumer demand for efficient and sustainable food storage.

Latest Construction News

21/05/2025
The University of Warwick's plans to create world-leading STEM facilities have reached a major milestone with the appointment of Kier as the preferred lead contractor for Phase 1 of the STEM Connect Programme. Located at the university's West Midlands campus, the development will deliver state-of-t
21/05/2025
United Living has announced the acquisition of Peter Duffy Ltd, a Wakefield-based civil engineering contractor with a specialist focus on water infrastructure. The company will join United Living's Infrastructure Services division and play a key role in the group’s expanding water business. Found
21/05/2025
Higgins Partnerships and Wandle Housing Association marked a key construction milestone on Monday, 19th May, with a topping out ceremony at the 46–76 Summerstown development in Merton, South London. Councillors and project partners gathered to celebrate the progress on the eight-storey scheme, whi
21/05/2025
Saint-Gobain has announced plans to open a new low-carbon stone wool insulation manufacturing facility in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, as part of its commitment to sustainable construction and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Set to begin production in 2027, the plant will initially produce 50
21/05/2025
A former opencast mine near Wigan has been transformed into a vast green space following a major environmental project led by infrastructure company Costain in collaboration with National Highways. The 34-hectare site, now known as the Sandyforth Green Gateway, has undergone significant ecological
21/05/2025
Farrans Construction has been recognised with a RIBA London Award for Education for its work on the Quadrangle Building project at King's College London, delivered in collaboration with architects Hall McKnight. The award celebrates the successful transformation of the Department of Engineering’s s
21/05/2025
Dudleys Consulting Engineers has completed the complex remediation of a 12-acre former gas works site near York city centre, paving the way for the development of up to 600 new homes. The award-winning firm was appointed as the principal engineering partner for ‘The Gas Works’ development, overseei
21/05/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction's Northern Home Counties team has celebrated the topping out of the Oak Wards development at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH), marking a major milestone in the delivery of the vital new healthcare facility. Dignitaries including Milton Keynes Mayor Councillor Mar
21/05/2025
Regeneration specialist Muse has signed a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) with Wakefield Council, marking a major step forward in the council's plans to revitalise the city centre. The agreement follows Wakefield Council's earlier announcement naming Muse as its new Strategic Regeneration Partner.
21/05/2025
Vistry Group has announced the appointment of Dave Bradley as Managing Director of its newly established North Midlands regional business unit. With an impressive track record in the housebuilding industry, Bradley brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Owl Homes/Partnerships, Piper H
Stuart CanvasAqua Direct LtdLakeside HireGeoCon Site Investigations Limited (Head Office)PMcD Joinery & ConstructionAME Electrical Smart Homes LtdOcean City ElectricalScooter Store LimitedAccurate Cutting Services LtdCastle Scaffolding Northern Ltd