OVERVIEW
Designed by Cornish Architects and constructed by Harmonix Construction, PFE Express’ new head office and warehouse in Witham represents a major investment in the company’s future growth. The development includes dedicated airfreight bays, bulk storage areas, and two mezzanine levels supporting reworks, repackaging, and relabelling activities. Very-Narrow-Aisle (VNA) racking maximises pallet holdings, trebling previous capacity, whilst expanded staff facilities, modern training rooms, and collaborative office spaces enhance working environments and promote efficiency. Completed in 2025, the headquarters represents PFE Express’ long-standing commitment to Essex – a place it has called home for over 20 years – alongside its focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and long-term business growth.
CREATE’S ROLE
We delivered specialist multidisciplinary services (Acoustics, MEP Building Services, Sustainability including BREEAM AP) over a three-year period, spanning the planning, design, construction, and post-completion stages, working collaboratively as part of a project team comprising Powell Tolner & Associates Ltd, The Millbridge Group, and Fire Dynamics.
Sustainability was embedded at the forefront of the project from the outset. Our early-stage work focused on developing an energy strategy to minimise operational energy demand, enhance building performance, and establish robust sustainability objectives. This informed the project’s BREEAM target rating and guided subsequent design development. To support the planning application, we also undertook detailed noise impact assessments, demonstrating compliance with environmental and planning requirements and safeguarding neighbouring amenity.
Following the planning stage, our scope expanded significantly, with our MEP Building Services team delivering full mechanical and electrical services specifications, covering heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and power distribution systems, to support the detailed design and construction phases.
Our technical services and outputs included:
- Energy Statement
- Sustainability Statement
- BREEAM Pre-Assessment
- Lift Specification
- Noise Impact Assessment
- Building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) Feasibility Study
- MEP Design and Specification
- Glazing Specification
- BREEAM Assessment for Interim Design
- BREEAM Hea01 Daylight Assessment
- Hea05 Pre-Acoustic Assessment
- BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP)
- Technical Notes and Contract Prelim Sign-off
- Design Stage Pol 05 Plant Noise Assessment
- Sound Insulating Testing
- Internal Acoustic Assessment
- Plant Noise Assessment
- Operational Noise Assessment
- Noise, Vibration, and Dust Monitoring
- U-Value Calculations
- Hea05 Sound Insulation Testing
- As-Built EPCs
- BREEAM Post-Construction Stage (PCS) Assessment
CHALLENGES
The scale of the warehouse and the requirement to deliver a building that could become PFE Express’ home for decades to come, whilst also delivering strong environmental and sustainability credentials, acoustic comfort and operational efficiency, demanded a highly coordinated technical delivery across disciplines.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND BENEFITS
We played a crucial role early in the project’s development, supporting the team in securing planning permission from Braintree District Council in 2023. Our multidisciplinary input then supported the end-to-end delivery of a high-performing logistics facility that effectively integrated sustainability, acoustics, and building services solutions. This culminated in the successful achievement of a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating in December 2025, shortly after project completion.
TESTIMONIAL
“Harmonix Construction thoroughly enjoyed working with the Create team, who demonstrated real versatility throughout this comprehensive build. The team provided excellent support during the M&E design stages alongside Alan DeMerquis, and were equally strong across the BREEAM and BRUKL/EPC scopes, with Sunanda Swain proving incredibly helpful throughout.
At key planning stages, where significant reports and technical investigations were required, Ben Dixon was exceptionally proactive and supportive, ensuring high-risk planning conditions were successfully discharged. This was achieved through detailed reporting, robust investigations, and well-considered design and operational improvement recommendations.”
Darren McQuibban, Project Director at Harmonix Construction
