A.W Hardy recently completed on a relatively small build at 22 Eldon Way in Hockley on behalf of 4edge Limited, a printing company that provides short runs of paperbacks and hardback books for independent publishers.

4edge’s Director, Dave Button, bought the building back in 2015, and he and his staff have been working there since 2017. His company was growing fast, so knew they needed to create more space within the industrial unit to accommodate new machinery and storage facilities for higher volumes of print orders.

A shaky start

Dave Button received planning permission back in February 2020. Shortly afterwards, the world shut down due to the pandemic, and the project stalled. He and his team were very aware that their planning application would only be valid for three years from its date of issue, and so were keen to get things moving again as soon as it was safe and financially viable to do so.

Dave Button approached A.W. Hardy when the project went out to tender at the end of 2021. He recognised our brand, and knew we had completed a lot of builds locally. He was impressed by our quick, professional response to the project brief, and we consequently won the contract, with our Contracts Director, Dave Bilcliffe, overseeing the works.

Minimising disruption

In order to fit the steels closer to the existing building and ensure everything was watertight, our team needed to take off the original external cladding (as it created an overhang) and build a brick wall on the inside of the structure. This early phase involved erecting scaffolding and led to some disturbance onsite.

However, Dave Button was impressed with our sensitive and accommodating approach to the works, which meant that he and his staff could continue working throughout the build, and his printing equipment was not damaged by dust and other work-related debris.

Overcoming design and construction challenges

Initially, we were working alongside an architect. As the project progressed, a series of drawing errors meant we needed to take more of a lead on the design than previously planned.

In some cases, we needed to source alternative ways to complete various aspects of the construction; for example, under Dave Bilcliffe’s direction, Dave Button brought in a civil engineering firm to design a new drainage system, as no plans were provided initially.

We also helped the client navigate rising costs and ongoing supply chain issues due to the global political and economic landscape – something we did not anticipate, but we were determined to overcome in the best interests of the build.

The result

The project certainly wasn’t without its obstacles. But the build has been transformative for 4edge. The factory floor has doubled in size, and the company now operates across more than 10,000 square feet. The L shaped extension at the back of the building houses a printing press, and there is substantially more storage space overall.

Dave Button had the following to say about A.W. Hardy’s involvement in the project:

“We appreciate the team’s hard work during the build, and the flexibility they demonstrated throughout. I would absolutely recommend A.W. Hardy and would be happy to use their services again.”