Kent-based Hoare Laboratory Engineering has added another string to its bow: designing and fitting out kitchens !
The family firm, with over 75 years experience in laboratory design and installation, has just completed the installation of a microbiology laboratory and new product development kitchen for Headland Foods Ltd of Flint.
Headland prepares and supplies a wide range of pre-packed frozen ready-made meals to major supermarket chains all over Britain and is constantly researching new dishes and markets.
The £55,000 contract to supply , deliver and install the quality control laboratory and new product development kitchen was for Headland's new premises at Europarc, Grimsby.
Hoare, a UK distributor for the Belgian-made Potteau-labo products, was able to adapt its range of versatile laboratory furniture for the kitchen to incorporate attractive beech fronts, incorporating bow handles, and solid acrylic stain-resistant worktops. in the laboratory, Hoare installed a Potteau-labo pedestal system and an H-frame system with fixed units and Trespa Athlon worktops, while in the kitchen the client chose a second pedestal system with Corian worktops. The fit-out also included a wash handbasin.
Sales Director Andy Hoare said "It was a different challenge for us, but one which worked well and will hopefully lead to more contracts of this type in the food preparation sector.
Many of the skills required to design and fit out laboratories can be applied to kitchen installations, particularly where there are health and safety implications for the company concerned."
Headland Foods Ltd have had premises in Grimsby for more than 11 years and formerly leased a site in Humberstone Road.
However, when the lease expired, the company decided it was time to expand their facility and moved to the new purpose-built premises at Europarc, where the company now develops and produces a wide range of own brand pasta and potato-topped products for leading supermarket chains.
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Jane Wheeler, Headland's company development manager, was confident that Hoare could carry out a successful installation, but maintained she wanted kitchen furniture for the kitchen, not laboratory furniture, so a solution was reached, which included the supply and fitting of dishwasher and stainless steel-finished ovens, hobs and extractor hoods.
Jane said "Because we bring clients to view our research and development process and give regular customer presentations at the Grimsby factory, we wanted the new product development kitchen to resemble a real working kitchen as much as possible.
However, because our kitchens are in use all day every day, unlike most domestic kitchens, the installed components needed to be particularly durable and hard- wearing."
Hoare took Headland's brief and came up with a totally new design for the kitchen, which fulfilled all the company's requirements yet still looked aesthetically pleasing.
Special care was taken in choosing both colours and materials, as well as the design and style of handles.
As well as supplying, delivering and installing the furniutre , Hoare supplied and installed all the mechanical and electrical service connections to incorporate new and existing cooking facilities - gas and electric ovens, inset gas hobs, extractor hoods and microwave ovens.
A particular problem was resolved with the installation of a space-saving hinged worktop over an existing chest freezer.
Hoare's fine attention to detail even extended to supplying a pan and utensil rack, positioned over the specially-shaped tasting bench in the main kitchen.
Andy Hoare said"We pride ourselves on our friendly and flexible approach, providing a quality and dedicated service to meet all laboratory needs. At headland, we clearly demonstrated we are able to meet all types of customer requirements and look forward to working on similar projects in the future."
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