Davies Turner Uses Blue Sky Thinking on Green Initiatives in New Bristol Development

Davies Turner’s determination that its operations are environmentally responsible is clearly demonstrated at the freight forwarder’s recently completed multi-million pound regional distribution centre at Avonmouth, Bristol.

Bristol, United Kingdom, June 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The new development has been designed from the start to include the latest thinking to reduce its environmental impact, with some of the most sophisticated engineering currently available to achieve the company’s aim as well as blue sky thinking on how to make even the smallest difference to reduce the development’s impact.

Philip Stephenson, joint managing director of Davies Turner, considers the company’s choice to develop a brownfield site key as a starting point for the sustainability of the project and urges other developers to take note of the benefits.

“The first important element in the development of Bristol Phase 2 is that it is built on reclaimed industrial land. Not enough emphasis is placed on the environmental benefits of using brownfield sites even now. This is something developers must consider for future development projects, particularly now that prices of food and farmland (which was too easily used for Greenfield sites) are both escalating” says Mr Stephenson. “The height of the warehouse - 16 metres at the eves - is operationally efficient as well as reducing the overall land-take or footprint”.

Having undertaken initial environmental surveys as well as traffic impact reports, archaeological surveys and flood studies, the company willingly committed itself to substantial investments in time and money to develop its green agenda.

Mr Stephenson pointed to a number of initiatives designed to reduce the environmental impact of the new distribution centre:

To satisfy local planning regulations, all water run-off from the site – from the gutters to the car park – is now collected in an underground reservoir or cistern prior to cleansing before being slowly released into local drainage systems.

The new warehouse will be unheated - relying on sophisticated insulation and ventilation to minimise heat loss in winter and solar gain in summer - a significant reduction of CO2 production associated with the development.

An alternative air-cooling system, after a substantial initial investment, will minimise energy use and consume less than half the electricity of conventional air conditioning.

Light level and movement detectors will switch lights off in unoccupied offices, whilst sophisticated solar and timer controlled lighting is used externally.

Mr Stephenson adds: “Davies Turner is committed to playing our part in reducing the cargo footprint associated with the supply chain. At Bristol, we have taken practical measures that minimise both our consumption of power and the impact our building has on the local and even national environment.

“Decisions we took at the very start of the planning stage, for example to include our choice of leading edge technology for cooling the top mezzanine work area and the most efficient as well as user-friendly office glazing, demonstrate that as a company we do not just talk about green issues but see them as key to our future, both in the local community and the wider supply chain.”

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Notes to editors: Established in the 1870s, Davies Turner & Co is the UK's largest independent freight forwarding and logistics group. The company operates its services through its own exclusive network, offering a high quality operation backed by integrated IT systems, financial stability and professional personnel.
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Davies Turner & Co.Ltd
Ian Matheson
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