Building success
October 1st 2006

If you need flexible, cost effective storage in double quick time, then a temporary building can provide the solution you are looking for. One company currently taking this market by storm is Aganto, as Charlotte Stonestreet found out

If you are looking for a success story in the temporary buildings sector, then you need look no further than Aganto. Over the past 13 years this division of Hutchott has firmly staked its place in a growing market. In fact, business is so good for Aganto that at the time of writing, sales for 2006 were already well up on 2005.

So what is Aganto’s success down to? Well, according to commercial director, Andy Butters, it’s a combination of quality product backed up by high levels of service. OK, so this might seem like a bit of a ‘nobrainer’ – afterall, this is a recipe for success in any sector. However, Butters feels that it is Aganto’s service that puts the company head and shoulders above the competition, as this is something that has traditionally been neglected when supplying temporary structures to the industrial sector.

Full support

“Right from the moment a potential customer picks up the phone to make an enquiry to hand-over of the completed structure and beyond, they get our full support. We approach each contract with a bit of love and care, something that is normally lacking in this market,” says Butters. This “hand-holding” approach stems partly from the fact that Aganto works alongside a division of Hutchott that deals with the events market.

“On the face of things the industrial market is a completely different animal to the events sector,” says Butters. “On the industrial side, the structures are on-site year round, standing up to all sorts of weather and rough treatment. The events market tends to be more short term and often the customer will know very little about the temporary structure they are hiring.

“However, it’s important not to forget that Aganto’s customers need direction too. Just because someone is a warehouse manager or an operations director, there is no guarantee they will have any knowledge of temporary structures, so support and care is just as important in the industrial engineering sector as it is in the events sector.”

Full site assessment

In effect, customers benefit from Aganto’s experience and expertise way before the order is even placed. The company always carries out a site visit and fully assesses the situation, enabling provision of the most effective solution for the individual application. Whatever the circumstances, Aganto will be able to supply a suitable structure.

“At Aganto we have a definite ‘can-do’ attitude,” says Butters. “If there’s a space, we can fill it to exact requirements – we don’t like to say no!”

All Aganto structures have a robust aluminium frame and are wind and snow loaded to stand up to whatever the elements can throw at them. They comply with all relevant safety and quality standards and are certified as such.

Although temporary structures have traditionally been used for warehousing purposes (indeed, around 80% of Aganto’s business is still in this area), today’s modern designs can and have been used for a multitude of solutions, from classrooms to aircraft hangars. The same features that make them versatile enough to be used across such a wide range of applications, also increase the versatility of the temporary structure within its traditional industrial market. For example, highly effective insulation options mean that it is possible to accommodate temperature sensitive products without a problem, while side walls can be constructed from hard UPVC with steel inserts, or even steel clad to provide maximum security levels.

Modular design

The modular design of the Aganto product means that in its basic form it can be supplied in virtually any width or length in multiples of five metres, from stock. However, the company will also supply completely bespoke structures to fit exactly the space available.

“Most of the time we are called in because a customer has run out of room in their current building, so it’s a pretty safe bet that space is going to be at a premium. In these situations it is vital that we help the customer make the best use of the area they have available for a temporary structure. In some cases the best answer is always going to be a bespoke structure and these account for around 30% of all our sales.”

Whether the basic structure supplied is modular or bespoke, there is a multitude of options available to ensure that the finished product exactly suits the application. In situations where the structure is to be sited on a surface that is not suitable for the intended use, Aganto will supply appropriate flooring, be it an anti-stress finish for worker comfort, or a robust surface capable of supporting forklift trucks.

If a customer requires heating, air conditioning, partitioning, plug socket points, generators, windows, CCTV, rapid roll doors or even a mezzanine complete with racking system, Aganto will provide it, either directly or through one of its approved suppliers. The structures are also supplied with lighting systems specified in line with the customer’s needs.

Although it is obviously a consideration, the quality of the site does not have to be particularly high in order for a temporary structure to be erected on it. Gradients, undulations and drainage issues do not generally present an obstacle, while a range of fixing methods means that the pulltest” with the chosen fixing method on-site to establish the forces needed for a fail-safe installation. The structure is then erected by Aganto’s specially dedicated construction teams, which always include a site manager/foreman.

Another advantage of the Aganto approach is that customers can be sure that they will be carefully guided through the planning application process. “At Aganto we have a huge amount of experience, so there is almost no situation we haven’t encountered. This means that we are in an excellent position to be able to guide our customers through the process,” says Butters.

Although the robust design and plethora of options available for today’s temporary structures means that they are increasingly used to provide a more long-term solution – 20 years or more in some cases – it is the very fact that they are temporary and the inherent flexibility this provides that is the major advantage for users.

For many customers requiring extra space, the site they occupy is only available on a short term lease, so a temporary structure that they can return or re-locate when necessary is the obvious solution. Temporary structure providers like Aganto also offer the ultimate quick-fix.

“In situations where sudden increased order intake means a company requires more space as soon as possible, we can provide the ideal solution,” says Butters. “With no foundation requirements, in many cases we can offer enquiry turnaround within the week, depending on availability. This is also an invaluable service for customers who have lost premises due to fire or flood.”

The overall flexibility of the temporary structure solution is further enhanced by the option to lease or buy. At Aganto there is no minimum or maximum hire period – the monthly price is determined by the length of contract of hire, although this can be extended at any point should the need arise. Of course, choosing the temporary structure option over a more permanent solution offers immediate cost benefits and establishing a monthly hire fee enables secure forward financial planning without tying up valuable capital.

Relocation

If a customer chooses to buy a structure and then moves site, Aganto will re-relocate the structure, ensuring that it retains its structural integrity. Thanks to the modular design, it is also possible to extend or reduce the size of an existing structure should the need arise. The modular design also means that repairs are simple and quick to carry out if damage occurs.

Various service and repair packages come as part of the contract for leased structures. Aganto also offers the same kind of service for customers that purchase outright, should they require it. In an aspect typical of the company’s commitment, customers can be sure that if they have any service or maintenance requirements, or need answers to questions relating to their Aganto structures, they can be sure of getting a quick response.

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