Ocado Andover

Project Overview
The Ocado Andover project involved the demolition and full reconstruction of the Andover Customer Fulfilment Centre following its destruction by fire. The scheme delivered a new 410,000 sq ft purpose-built food logistics and fulfilment facility designed to support high-volume grocery operations. Reconstruction was undertaken in phased stages, enabling the delivery of a highly automated building incorporating freezer, chill and ambient zones, integrated multi-level mezzanines and advanced picking systems. The development also included supporting infrastructure across the wider site, creating a critical logistics hub within Ocado’s national network.

Project Requirements
The client required the rapid and safe demolition of the fire-damaged fulfilment centre, followed by the delivery of a replacement facility capable of supporting Ocado’s advanced automated logistics operations. Key objectives included recovering and protecting intellectual property, managing demolition in controlled phases, and recycling slab and substructure elements where possible. The new facility needed to integrate complex automation systems, temperature-controlled zones and multi-level mezzanines, while maintaining continuity of operations through an active on-site “spoke” facility during the reconstruction period.

Glencar’s Role
Glencar was appointed as main contractor to deliver the demolition and reconstruction of the Andover Customer Fulfilment Centre, coordinating all works through to completion and handover.

Responsibilities included:
- Overall construction management and site coordination
- Phased demolition and site clearance works
- Protection and recovery of intellectual property
- Construction of new fulfilment centre structure
- Coordination of automation-ready building interfaces
- Delivery of associated site-wide infrastructure
- Programme, quality and health and safety management within a live environment

Scope of Works
Enabling Works / Civils & Infrastructure
- Phased demolition of fire-damaged structures
- Systematic breakout and recycling of slab and substructure
- Site clearance and preparation works
- Infrastructure works across the wider site

Building / Superstructure
- Construction of new large-scale fulfilment centre
- Structural works to support multi-level mezzanines
- Building envelope and temperature-controlled zones

Fit-Out & Building Services
- Integration of freezer, chill and ambient environments
- Automation-ready internal layouts
- Mechanical and electrical services installations
- New head office block and dispatch offices

External Works & Landscaping
- Multi-storey car park
- High-specification van wash bay
- Multi-lane fuel island
- External circulation and service areas

Technical & Delivery Challenges
The project presented significant technical and logistical challenges, including the demolition of a complex automated facility and reconstruction within a time-critical programme. Managing phased demolition required careful control to protect intellectual property and ensure safe recovery of materials. Reconstruction involved coordinating large-scale structural works with highly specialised automation interfaces and temperature-controlled environments. Maintaining a live operational “spoke” facility on site throughout the programme introduced additional health, safety and logistics constraints, requiring rigorous planning, stakeholder coordination and sequencing to avoid disruption.

Delivery Conditions Addressed
- Post-fire demolition and reconstruction
- Live operational environment
- Highly automated logistics facility
- Phased demolition and recovery works
- Time-critical programme delivery
- Complex building services integration

The Outcome
The completed Ocado Andover Customer Fulfilment Centre delivers a state-of-the-art, highly automated logistics facility central to Ocado’s grocery distribution network. Delivered within a one-year programme, the new facility restores and enhances operational capacity following the fire, providing resilient, high-performance infrastructure capable of supporting precision order fulfilment at scale. The project demonstrates Glencar’s capability to deliver complex industrial assets within live, time-critical environments.