| 17 Flexible solutions in steel XL Structural Steel has played a vital role in the development of the Taranaki Bulk Storage project in Hawera, delivering a robust, long-lasting structure for client developer CJ Mahoney that can withstand the harsh conditions of heavy machinery use. Taranaki Bulk, an o shoot of crane rental and heavy haulage company Agtrans, required a large, covered storage facility to keep up with the increasing demand in the South Taranaki area. XL Structural Steel provided the full design and supplied the building as a kitset for the owner to arrange the installation of the shed. The building was designed with a 28-metre clearspan portal using XL Structural Steel's unique RHS portal design. XL Structural Steel project consultant Vern Lawry says this allowed for maximum headroom throughout the building without the need for obtrusive knee braces and apex braces. With strong bolted connections, the XL building system is easy and e icient to install so the project was completed rapidly. The XL Structural Steel system was developed by parent company Alpine Buildings NZ Ltd after years of experience in the rural and industrial construction industry. “The team recognized that there had to be a better system than the traditional methods of 'UB or lattice portals' or lightweight roll-formed frames. They also believed that the design and construction process needed to be more practical, transparent, and collaborative,” says XL Structural Steel marketing manager Ursula Adeane. The result was the XL Structural Steel portal design, which uses predominantly RHS sections and a construction process that enables design professionals and builders to work together to ensure a simple, practical, and e icient outcome for the client. This unique system has been proven to be more durable and robust than traditional methods, making it an ideal choice for the Taranaki Bulk Storage project, says Vern. Both say that one of the key bene its of the XL Structural Steel system is its e iciency. The building system makes it easy to install, and the well-thought-out connections reduce the need for knee braces and apex braces, giving maximum headroom throughout the building. This e iciency translates into cost savings for the client, as the installation process is quicker and requires less labour. Another bene it of the XL Structural Steel system is its durability: “The building design is robust and able to take the knocks of heavy machinery, ensuring that the building can stand the test of time,” explains Vern. “This durability is essential for industrial buildings that are subject to heavy use and harsh conditions.” The success of the project has led to XL Structural Steel working with CJ Mahoney on the DIALOG Fitzroy facility. With both projects XL Structural Steel was able to deliver the full compliance package, working through the speci ic design requirements, such as ire and stormwater requirements. “Typically we supply and construct as well delivering the inished building but in this case the developer is hands on so we provided the system as a kitset,” says Vern. “This shows the lexibility of XL Structural Steel to deliver a solution to perfectly suit each client’s unique requirements.”
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