Rubb to reconfigure MoD buildings
In 2010 work began on the construction of six Rubb military warehouses for Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. The Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System (EFASS) structures measured 100m in length and featured span widths of 25m. The buildings were supplied to the Operational Accommodation Technical (OAT) Output Section of the Expeditionary Campaign Infrastructure (ECI) Project Team, who successfully delivered the equipment infrastructure for the Interim Force Primary Depot (IFPD) in Helmand Province.
These structures, among others, will be returning to Rubb in 2015/2016, with the first two arriving back at the Gateshead plant to be converted into five new aircraft hangars.
Rubb Sales Manager Andy Knox said: “When the first 25m x 100m returns, we will inspect it, clean it and make any necessary repairs so it is fully refurbished. We will then add the components needed to turn this IFPD building into two shorter hangars measuring 25m x 40m, each featuring one Heli-Door and one closed gable end.”
The remaining 20m of hangar modules from the first warehouse will be used to create another hangar when more buildings return from Afghanistan.
“I believe we can create five new buildings from first two IFPD buildings,” added Andy. “There are numerous EFASS shelters deployed around the world. Many will be returned to the UK to undergo refurbishment work to bring them back up to A1 (new) condition. A typical refurbishment to bring the building back to 'good as new' will cost between 10-15% of the cost of a new hangar.”
The modular nature of the EFASS means that the aluminium framing system, steel components and PVC covers can be reused to create a variety of configurations to suite changing requirements.
Rubb not only supplies new fabric buildings to the military sector, it also helps provide a long-term investment that can be adapted to meet changing needs.
The UK MoD has been using Rubb Military buildings for more than 35 years and has more recently seen the benefits of the company’s EFASS post-use storage, assessment and refurbishment service.
Rubb Managing Director Ian Hindmoor said: “We are always looking for ways to add value to the products and services we provide. This process is an excellent example of adding value to the ways in which we can help our client base. Our customer care goes beyond just one sale and into aftercare commitment, maintenance, delivery of improved solutions to existing and changing requirements and a dependable system of ongoing R&D and engineering in the fabric building industry. We take care of your building investment for you, prolonging the life of your EFASS and providing savings on long term costs.”
