Case Study

Hunter Appointed as Principal Contractor and Principal Designer for Chiller Extension Project

We were appointed as Principal Contractor (PC) and Principal Designer (PD) for a key project with one of our long-standing food manufacturing clients in the UK. The works involved the extension of an existing chiller facility to support increased production capacity. The project required meticulous planning and coordination due to the complexity of the systems in operation, including ammonia, glycol, and steam. A major challenge was ensuring that production could continue safely and without disruption while the works progressed. Our client’s priority was to increase efficiency and meet growing market demand while maintaining full compliance with industry regulations and ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.

Role

As Principal Contractor, our role focused on maintaining strict health and safety standards on site while managing the interface between construction works and the client’s live production operations. We implemented a comprehensive management system to monitor compliance with statutory requirements and best practices. This included producing a Construction Phase Plan (CPP), Pre-Construction Information (PCI), traffic management plan, waste management plan, fire evacuation procedures, and reviewing the competencies of all operatives. We managed permits to work, conducted RAMS reviews, and delivered regular Toolbox Talks (TBTs) to ensure site teams were fully briefed. In parallel, we maintained open and consistent communication with both the client and contractors to safeguard production activities.

As Principal Designer, we remained actively engaged throughout the design process, working closely with the client, contractors, and design teams to ensure all proposed works were reasonably practicable and fully compliant with health and safety legislation.

This involved reviewing design proposals, highlighting potential risks, and ensuring control measures were integrated from the outset. We also ensured statutory notifications, such as the F10, were submitted and updated in line with project requirements.

Summary

Through careful coordination, robust management systems, and proactive communication, we successfully delivered our dual role as Principal Contractor and Principal Designer. The project was completed safely, without disruption to production, and in full compliance with relevant health and safety regulations. By supporting our client with strong leadership and oversight, we enabled them to expand their chiller facility, increase production capacity, and continue meeting the growing demand for their products, all while maintaining operational efficiency and a safe working environment.