Troax UK's Toledo cleanroom partitioning system has been used to create a dust-free office complex within a food production area of leading breakfast cereal manufacturer, Cereal Partners UK's Welwyn Garden City factory. Because the partitioning is specially designed for cleanroom applications, it meets the strict cleanliness and hygiene standards required within the controlled environment in this area of the factory.
Popular breakfast cereals such as Shredded Wheat, Shreddies, Golden Nuggets and Cheerios are made at the factory by Cereal Partners UK, which was formed in 1990 as a joint venture between Nestle SA and American food manufacturer General Mills.
The two offices, each around 15 sq metres in size, have been designed by Troax to fit within an existing production area of the factory. Toledo's modular construction was a real advantage in this respect, offering a high level of flexibility in layout so that the offices could be incorporated into the factory's existing flow pattern. In particular, the office walls reach up into the roof void to a height of around four and a half metres, to create a completely enclosed unit.
Troax carried out the project in conjunction with contractor Direct Interiors.
Toledo partitioning is a medium specification cleanroom system; of steel monobloc construction, it uses inert and non-particle shedding finish and incorporates a number of design features to prevent the collection of particles and ensure easy to clean, smooth surfaces. Its two line junction has a flush line cover channel and a flush line double glazing system, resulting in minimal ledges, corners and flush surfaces.
Troax also custom-designed a number of other elements for the project, including flush glazed, polycarbonate window panels instead of the usual glass panels.
Polycarbonate was used as, unlike (even toughened) glass, it does not shatter, so in the event of an accident, shards cannot contaminate the food production area, an essential Health and Safety consideration for this demanding manufacturing environment.
Another bespoke element of the project was the installation of polycarbonate safety vision panels within the doors, to allow full visibility for disabled employees and visitors.
Troax's ability to adapt the cleanroom system to meet Cereal Partners' specific site requirements was one of the reasons that contractor Direct Interiors specified the company's partitioning.
Frank Potter of Direct Interiors explains: "Troax have a high level of specialist expertise when it comes to this type of project so we knew we could rely on their advice and ability to adapt the partitioning to meet the specific site requirements. They knew the possible problems that could be encountered during installation, for example, polycarbonate is much more difficult to handle than glass, and how to overcome them."
"Another advantage of Toledo cleanroom partitioning is its cost – it's certainly more economical to install than many similar systems on the market. We regularly work with Troax and as usual, they were very helpful, responsive and easy to work with."
Troax UK Limited
Enterprise House
Murdock Road
Swindon SN3 5HY
Tel: 01793 542000
Fax: 01793 618784