C W F Hamilton & Co has been manufacturing marine propulsion systems and controls in Christchurch for 60 years.  Their water jets are deployed globally in a wide range of marine applications, ranging from small riverboats up to vessels over 70m in length.  Their primary manufacturing facility is a 6.9 hectare site that has a broad range of manufacturing processes that includes aluminium and stainless steel foundries, welding and fabrication, component machining, painting, and assembly and test of waterjets and their electronic controls.

Envision was engaged by C W F Hamilton & Co team in June 2020 to support them with a feasibility study to undertake the redevelopment of their existing Christchurch site.  The project has involved the project scoping, options studies, design and master planning and costing for their proposed new facilities – a new manufacturing hall of over 20,000 sqm, a new office and associated yard and parking areas.  To add to the complexity of the development,  there was a requirement of maintaining manufacturing capacity in the existing facilities without any interruption to operations while building the new facilities.

To this end, Envision has assembled a team of expert design consultants and specialist trade contractors to focus on the high load capacity floor, structural frame, exterior building fabric and extensive building services for the manufacturing hall as well as the design for the high quality office.

The aspirational concept design is now complete and the project has entered a phase of internal reviews and approvals.