Welcome

Welcome to the first issue of the CoGri Group corporate newsletter, CoGri News.

As a valued customer, our free Newsletter offers you information-at-a-glance on CoGri news, new services and products.We hope that you will find the contents both informative and useful.

Future copies of CoGri News will be published on a quarterly basis.The next issue will be available in December.

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Thank you for your continued interest and support. We hope to be working with you again soon.

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Group Expansion Plan

The Group has had a great year so far which has given us the confidence to expand.

Our staff level has already increased and by the end of 2008 we anticipate to be up to 50 strong in the UK.

Both our Asian offices are also currently recruiting, due to increased demand in the region.

We are about to re-open an office in the Middle East due to an increased demand for our services.

We have recently taken on partners in Greece, Holland and Belgium and have now started working in Russia and Australia.

Kevin Dare, Managing Director, CoGri Group Ltd.

European Standard Update

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE) involvement with UK standards development stretches back to the early 1990's when they first provided data for a review of The Concrete Society Report TR34. In the US, FACE involvement goes back even further to the introduction of the F number systems.

In 2000, The Concrete Society started work on a major review of TR34, and again, FACE were actively involved. FACE were the only surveying company to make data available and to provide substantial surveying research facilities. This resulted in the introduction of the Appendix C method of surveying in very narrow aisle installations thus bringing UK practice into line with US and German practice.

In 2004 FACE began work with FEM, the European materials handling organisation, and subsequently with a CEN working group that was developing a European Standard for tolerances for warehouse racking, trucks and floors. This has resulted in Draft BS EN 15620 that has just completed its consultation stage in European country based committees.

This process has not been without difficulties. As with TR34, improvements to standards have been vigorously resisted by a few contractors, truck suppliers and surveying/grinding companies. Despite this, we at FACE have remained firm to our commitment to provide impartial advice based on reliable data.

UK floor construction practice and technology is potentially world beating, however, we have also had some poor quality standards. FACE have been at the forefront in improving standards and avoiding the export of bad UK habits to the rest of Europe.

Full Article Here

VNA & Narrow Racking Aisles

Concrete Grinding Ltd (CG) have completed a grinding contract at an installation in Malta, the 1st ever such project on the island. The project for Farsons Brewery, was completed in August.

The Farsons Group of Companies produce a wide variety of beverages and are involved in the importation of wines, spirits, and distribution of food products.

The project consisted of 15 aisles, each measuring 50 m long, with racking up to 12 m in height. The 3 wheel track grinding achieved compliance to DIN 15185 specification.

CG recently completed a contract for Sony DADC at their distribution centre in Enfield.

Before grinding, 1 steel joint running across each aisle was removed and replaced with a Standard Arris repair. The Laser Grinder^® then ground the whole width of the 6, 60 metre long aisles for compliance to the DM2 spec.

Originally, the floor was manually ground in the outer wheel tracks only and to TR34 Category 1. However, the user found the flatness of their floor unsatisfactory as the 3 wheeled VNA trucks were disengaging from the guidance wire and touching the racking, whilst travelling at height.

Upon completion of the contract, the user noticed a significant improvement in the safe and smooth operation of the VNA trucks.

All grinding work was done at minimal inconvenience to the user and without any stock needing protection of any sort.

Visit Concrete Grinding Website

Total Quality Management Service By Face Consultants

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE) have been developing their construction quality management services here in the UK and now provide a Total Quality Management service TQM.

FACE have long experience of checking designs and supervising warehouse floor construction overseas, particularly in the Middle East. With developers and clients becoming increasingly aware of the importance of getting floors right first time, there was an obvious place in the market for FACE.

Clients need to be sure that they are getting independent advice from the start and the sooner we are involved in the design process the better. The whole construction process is then supervised and measured to demanding UKAS standards.

At the earliest possible time, we review floor loadings,structural design, specifications and advise on construction detail. We pay particular attention to concrete and reinforcement specification, joint types, joint layouts and surface flatness requirements.

Contractors proposals and method statements are then reviewed to ensure that there is clear understanding of all contractual requirements. A detailed quality plan is developed, specific to the contract, covering all of the key construction stages.

Before construction begins, we attend pre contract meetings with the main contractor and the flooring contractor so as to ensure that every one sings from the same quality hymn sheet. We consider this to be one of the most critical stages of the process. Adjustments are made to the quality plan as required and then all parties commit to it.

At the end of the project, the client is provided with a comprehensive report on the floor.

With FACE TQM plan, the client can be confident that he is getting what he has paid for!

Visit Face Consultants Website

Flooring Consultancy

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE) completed a supervisory job, which included Quality Assurance and Surveying to VNA Specification CAT2, for a European supermarket chain in Gran Canaria. The new site has 23 aisles at 60 linear metres each.

FACE visited two units, in Croatia, which required floor surveys to FM2 special, one measuring 18,000 m, the other to 32,000 m.

Closer to home, a 29,500 m unit in Manchester was surveyed to FM2 specification in August. Work was carried out with a third party flooring contractor.

Work on two other projects, in Melksham and Desborough, required surveys to DM1 and FM2 Special. The sites capacities are 27,000 m and over 12,000 m respectively.

Visit Face Consultants Website

Floor Renovation And Upgrades

In the past few months, CG Flooring Systems Ltd (CGFS), saw a widevariety of flooring renovation and upgrade requirements.

Work included reducing floor levels and laying a cementitious floor topping at a steel stockholder site. Rectification work was needed as a result of a badly laid concrete floor.

A Joint Repair project worth 19k for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Ltd, at their Tamworth Logistics Warehouse, was undertaken in August 07. Work was carried out to improve the condition of the floor surface and reduce wear and tear on the forklift trucks.

CGFS is due to start work at a European water heating product supplier in October. The 6,000 m site requires full services from CGFS, which comprise of filling in pits, carrying out joint repairs, and pump-screed floor covering. The foundry site is being converted into a warehouse facility.

CGFS has also won a contract to provide a non-slip surface floor to a major research-based pharmaceutical company. Work covers 9 loading bays. Initially, CGFS was commissioned to complete a test trial on one of their bays. Work is now due to start in September.

Visit CG Flooring Website

Middle Eastern Delights For Face Consultants

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE) are currently working on projects, for a 3rd Party Logistic company, in the Middle East.

Project locations include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.

The project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be the first Super Flat floor in the country. The 40,000 m� facility requires half to be super flat and will be the highest warehouse in Saudi, reaching approximately 16 metre to the eaves. This project is due for completion in 2008.

Services provided include design review, onsite consultancy, training and supervising contractors in Super Flat techniques, and testing floors with the FACE Digital Profileograph.

We have previously completed other Super Flat floors in Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai.

Total Quality Management For New John Lewis Floor

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE) has been making an important contribution at the new 60,000 m distribution centre being built in Buckinghamshire to serve the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) department stores.

The CoGri Group have worked with JLP for over 14 years and for this project, FACE provided their Total Quality Management (TQM) package.

Led by Technical Director Tony Hulett, JLP were advised on requirements at the earliest design stage, focussing on floor flatness to maximise the efficiency of man-up and other trucks and the positioning of floor joints to allow for mezzanines and high-bay racking.

For the 10,000 m VNA area, FACE specified the latest Concrete Society TR34 DM1 standard which also meets the equivalent proposed European standard. Concrete Society FM2 Special standard was specified for the rest of the building. A 215 mm slab reinforced with steel mesh fabric was specified throughout.

FACE were then appointed to supervise the installation of the floor, working with the property developer (Gazeley UK Ltd), main contractor (Simons Construction) and project managers (Lysander Associates). The outcome has been excellent with floor flatness requirements being met without grinding.

JLP can be confident that the floor has been built to enable the warehouse to operate with maximum truck efficiency and minimal maintenance.

Full Article Here

New Appointments

In line with the Group Expansion Plan, three new recruits join the CoGri team.

David Johnys joins the Group Technical Sales Team. David's previous experience in industrial sales included Bostik and Pilkingtons Tiles.

Alan Yuill has taken on the role of the General Manager for CG Flooring Systems Ltd. After serving 24 years in the Navy, as Chief Communication and Information System Specialist, Alan wanted a new challenge, closer to home.

Susan Smith joins the group as Marketing Manager, bringing with her over ten years experience in Sales and Marketing. Susan is due to complete her Masters Degree in Marketing in 2008.

Laser Grinding Asia

Concrete Grinding Asia Pacific (CGAP) recently took delivery of its second Somero Copperhead XD2.0, which adds to our S240 Laser Screed and topping spreader.

The new Copperhead is currently being used on a project for a capacity expansion plan in Singapore.

Work requires a 7,500 m pile supported, traditionally reinforced, FM2 Special floor. Property II results on the first few bays were FM1 compliant.

CGAP has also won contracts for flooring work in four projects, with execution stretching to June 2008. One of these is a long strip CAT 1 slab. The other two are new solutions, using the copperhead, to help clients meet tight programs and budgets.

Visit Superflat Asia Website

Laser Grinder� Upgrade

Our products and services are under constant review in order to increase efficiency, ease of use and prolonged product life.

The Laser Grinder^® has undergone many upgrades in the last few months.

Door insulation and a diffuser have been added to reduce noise levels.

The base of the engine compartment can now be covered and a pre-filter is fitted to ensure better air circulation and less dust collection.

For better accuracy and smoother operation, an Axel Tilt System is now used, incorporating a proportional valve, which keeps the grinding operation transversely level.

A meter gauge will be added to monitor engine, fuel and noise levels.

New diamond cutting blades have been developed to tackle harder floors, which have resulted in faster grinding.

CoGri Group Profile

CoGri Group Ltd, is a consortium of international specialists that offer a one-stop-shop solution to the upgrade, repair and refurbishment of Warehouse, Industrial and Commercial floor slabs. Established since 1989, we are world leader, and experts, in our industry.

Group companies include:

Concrete Grinding Ltd (CG) specialises in upgrading aisles in new and existing VNA/narrow aisle warehouse units. Inventors of the LASER GRINDER^®, the laser guided technology enables aisles on new and existing floors to be upgraded to the flatness standards required to operate VNA forklift trucks safely and at their optimum efficiency. Floor flatness can easily achieve International Industry Standard toTR34, TR34 Appendix C, DIN 15185 and ACI Fmin100.

Face Consultants Ltd (FACE), the only UK organisation that is UKAS Accredited to ISO 17025 for Floor Flatness and Abrasion Resistance. Compliance testing on industrial concrete floors to TR34 standards, German (DIN), American (Fmin) and other standards.

CG Flooring Systems Ltd (CGFS) specialises in the refurbishment of Warehouse, Industrial and Commercial floor surfaces. Proven application methods, with their pump-applied heavy-duty (Industrial) cementitious screeds, will quickly and effectively upgrade most floors.

LGA Logis Co Ltd and Concrete Asia Pacific PTE Ltd, based in Korea and Singapore respectively, provide services to our clients in Asia. The two companies provide similar services and products to CG, FACE and CGFS, with the exception that they also lay super flat floors and large pour constructed slabs, using laser screed technology.

Our knowledge, experience and reputation in the materials handling and concrete flooring industries has generated our continual growth into the world wide Group of Companies that we are today.

If you would like expert advice on industrial flooring solutions, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation on:
Tel: + 44 (0) 1484 600080.
Email: info@cogrigroup.com

Visit CoGri Group Website

Announcement

Tony Hulett was appointed as Technical Director for Face Consultants in July.

Upcoming Trade Shows

Face Consultants Ltd:

10th - 14th October at World Logistics Expo, Jeonbuk, Korea.

If you would like to visit us at the show, please contact us for further information.

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