Sainsburys Washington LFC completion
Simpson successfully completed our 8th LFC project for Sainsbury’s at Hillthorn Park, Washington, Sunderland and with another 2 LFC projects starting in the coming months it highlights our standing as the preferred choice contractor for this work stream with Sainsbury’s.
The “LFC’s” are Local Fulfilment Centres for Sainsburys, Argos operations. As many will know, Argos stores have predominantly now moved into Sainsburys supermarkets. As a result of this, the stock holding availability of these stores is reduced and a greater reliance on nearby distribution networks are needed.
We install vehicle to ground dock lifts for HGV unloading into the LFC, the stock is then located on the warehouse racking before being picked and distributed via the fleet of Argos vans. Each LFC is designed to hold in excess of 100,000 lines of various products from electronics to toys and garden to home wares.
Security is a client focus area and as part of the works, we create a secure yard with new automated vehicle gates and ANPR systems. Access control is installed along with CCTV and alarms systems and monitoring station with metal detector shrouds.
Offices, meeting rooms and staff facilities are created and follow a standard fit out solution that is the same on most LFC projects. The Simpson joiners shop provided the unitary which was installed by Simpson joiners and available (in between jobs) site managers with joinery skills.
As part of Sainsburys push to be more carbon efficient the engineering model utilises new Air Source heat pumps which we supply and install on concrete plinths as well as the required below ground drainage for the defrost cycle.
A new addition to the Washington LFC design was the inclusion of a full vehicle washdown station, which houses all the facilities you would need to clean and maintain the standard fleet of vans. Including new drainage, concrete plinth for the equipment along with ductwork for services to the location in the yard.
Our site managers Gary Fagan and Steve Barwick turned out a well finished project and the client team at Sainsburys Argos have been very happy and offered excellent feedback to our team.
Latest News
We are hiring
We’re Hiring: Skilled Bench Hand Joiner / Cabinet Maker
Dunnington, near York | Full-time, Permanent | Competitive Salary
We are looking for an experienced Bench Hand Joiner / Cabinet Maker to join our busy, well-established in-house workshop. You’ll be part of a skilled team producing high-end bespoke cabinetry and joinery, with a real focus on quality and craftsmanship.
- Proven bench joinery/cabinet making experience
- Ability to read technical drawing·
- Strong workshop skills and attention to detail
We offer a stable, long-term role, competitive pay, and a supportive environment within a growing business.
Interested? Apply now and take the next step in your career with Simpson.
For more information on the opportunity, and information about our great business Apply to: Amanda.davidson@simpsonyork.co.uk
Simpson supports 'Ash Family Row'
At the beginning of the year we made the commitment to sponsor the Ash Family Row, a fundraising challenge undertaken by the Ash family Charlotte, Camilla, James and Henry who are rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in memory of Robert Ash, their husband and father, who died by suicide in September 2023.
Their goal is to raise significant funds for the bereavement‑support charity Suicide&Co. They will take on the ‘World’s Toughest Row Atlantic’ in December 2027, travelling unsupported from La Gomera (Canary Islands) to Antigua, aiming to become the first complete family unit to complete the crossing. The challenge is both a tribute to Robert and a mission to ensure others bereaved by suicide receive vital counselling and support.
To follow their progress and to read more about what is involved in their challenge you can read more at. https://www.ashfamilyrow.com/
St Leonard's Completes
What was once the former B&M site at Clifton Moor and redeveloped by Marrtree Investments into Marrtree Business Park, has now been fully fitted out across two units for St Leonard’s Hospice, creating a new donation centre and retail store for the charity.
The works included the installation of new mezzanine floors in both units, with interconnecting openings formed at ground and mezzanine levels. Unit 1 was configured to house offices, welfare facilities, a canteen, hot‑desk workspaces and a meeting room with folding doors, alongside ground-floor racking space and a new curtain‑walled entrance. Unit 2 provides additional storage, new racking and the main retail area with a canteen formed from new structural steels.
Firewalls have been constructed around staircases and the meeting room. M&E installations comprise lighting, fire alarms and CCTV systems. All areas have received full decoration and floor finishes, with carpet and vinyl on the mezzanine levels and a protective sealant applied to the ground-floor concrete.
The centre is looking to open in July.
