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G R Wright & Sons are an award-winning, family-owned flour milling business. They became established in Ponders End Mills, near Enfield, in 1867 by George Reynolds Wright. His great, great grandson, David Wright, is the company’s current chairman.
The company mills a wide range of flour products under the Wright’s brand. Their products are supplied to small bakeries throughout the country and also to large supermarket brands. Their mill produces over 1,000 tonnes of the finest quality flour every week.
The company’s original mill was powered by water from the nearby River Lea, until the electrification of the plant in 1913. The site was further transformed into a modern food factory in 1963, where it has continued production to this day.
G R Wright & Sons acquired a new site at The Pinnacles in Harlow, Essex, which we transformed into a brand-new state-of-the-art mill. The site also accommodates a large warehouse and a three-storey office building, which Oaktree Interiors have refurbished into modern new headquarters.
The three-storey 21,000 sq. ft. office building, situated adjacent to the site of a new mill, which is being constructed for the company at the same time as the office fit-out project, was vacant for a number of years. All of the internal areas of the building were in a very dilapidated condition and required a full ‘shell and core’ refurbishment.
The re-fit of the ground floor required a complete modernisation of the large reception area, along with the creation of the new canteen, changing and cloakroom facilities for the factory and warehouse staff.
The office areas required a secondary reception area, for welcoming visitors, open plan offices, director’s offices, multi-functional boardroom, training room and meeting rooms, with adjoining tea points and break-out spaces.
The design brief was to create a modern and functional space, incorporating the company’s brand identity and celebrating their 150-year company history.
All areas of the building were modernised and refurbished to a high standard. We created a new canteen and installed changing facilities for the factory and warehouse staff. New carpet and vinyl flooring were laid throughout. We also supplied new furniture throughout the building.
A new heating, cooling and ventilation system was installed throughout, as well as a complete re-wire of all electrical and data infrastructure, new lighting, and a new communications room, with links needed between the offices, warehouse, and the mill.
The newly formed corridors were created as ‘curved’ walkways, built predominantly from full-height glass and solid doors, enhanced with the installation of bulkheads above, giving a modern and contemporary look. The boardroom/training areas were created with moveable, folding partition walls.
We created a new breakout area between the open-plan office and meeting rooms, providing a natural sound barrier, whilst also being easily accessible to both staff and visitors
“Really proud to present our completed office and staff facilities, this has been a labour of love for us to design with the help of Oaktree Interiors. We always wanted a modern office, but at the same time, it was important that we used this space to celebrate our rich and long history. Floor to ceiling murals and a timeline running up the staircase really brings the place to life. The mural of Florrie packing small packs of flour, circa 1950 sits in the staff breakout area. We wanted to make sure the facilities were great for all the staff, make it a place people wanted to come and work, hopefully, we have achieved it!”
