Losberger GmbH - Quick fix: The six-week construction of a low-cost modular terminal at São Nicolau Airport has helped the airport meet its operational requirements

Company Losberger GmbH
Date 25.02.2016

For almost 100 years, Losberger Group has been providing advanced tent and hall systems around the world, including event tents, storage facilities, civil defence and military tents as well as aircraft hangars and sports halls. Losberger Cape Verde (1)The company has seen extensive growth since it was established in 1919, with the launch of its UK subsidiary in 1998 and the acquisition of French marquee manufacturer Walter in 2003. The company also has subsidiaries in the USA, China and Brazil.

The turnkey solution provider has more than 700 employees worldwide and offers a complete range of capabilities, including concept; planning; project management; design; manufacture; installation; testing; commissioning; handover training; and operations and maintenance.

São Nicolau case study
Losberger Airport Capacity Solutions adopts a unique approach to assisting every client in determining the right operational solution for their individual needs. It has a broad and deep experience in airport operations and projects, with teams providing dedicated consulting services to some of the world’s largest and busiest international airports.

The company was approached to investigate the feasibility of providing a modular, low-cost domestic inter-island airport terminal facility on the island of São Nicolau, which forms part of the Cape Verde Islands chain.

Losberger used this experience to develop its ‘statement of needs’ questionnaire. This was the first step it undertook with its client in understanding its needs in terms of flight profiles and passenger and baggage throughput.

Losberger Cape Verde (2)The next stage was to take the output from the questionnaire and feed it into the company’s design and planning software. This enables it to balance the operational requirements with the available space to develop a series of options for the client to consider.

Once settled on an option, the client was proactive in the production design phase and was fully engaged as Losberger specified everything from the location of the proposed facility, the foundations required and the operational processes right through to the internal and external colour schemes. During this process, Losberger was also able to develop the initial overall detailed integrated project programme, which forms the basis of its end-toend delivery schedule.

With production design complete and a full set of working drawings available, Losberger entered the manufacturing stage of the project.

This is where its key strength of modularity comes into its own: by reducing lead times for procurement and manufacturing. Losberger uses the modular approach in everything it does, from the external structure to the internal fittings and fixtures, including baggage handling systems. In this instance, the client had a preference for its own baggage handling supplier; Losberger was able to work with it to help with the overall integrated design and delivery programme.

Using its global network, Losberger was able to source materials from around the world, enabling it to organise shipments and offer the best value to its client. Materials sourced within Europe were consolidated at Losberger’s manufacturing facility in Bad Rappenau, Germany, where everything was checked for quality before being carefully packaged and loaded into containers for the journey to the island of São Nicolau.

On-time delivery
With careful planning and timing, everything arrived on-site on the scheduled date to be greeted by Losberger’s project manager and installation supervisors. One of the company’s most important considerations is the ability to use local labour in the delivery of its turnkey solutions. Losberger Cape Verde (3)Losberger strongly believes that this is the most beneficial way to help the local community and economy, and maximises the potential of the project.

Within 10 days, the external structure was complete and hermetically sealed against the elements. This enabled the internal fit-out to begin, with the first-fix electrical installation being completed shortly afterwards. During this time, the client’s baggage handling company was installing a system with integrated hold baggage screening. Losberger then commenced the installation of its modular internal walling systems in conjunction with the second-fix electrical installation. The installation of the modular, pre-assembled joinery items, such as the bar/café area, airline offices and security desks, was then carried out.

Installation of the facility was completed within a five-week period of arriving on-site. During week six, assembly of the furniture items was undertaken, such as bench seating for passengers, operations office furniture, public address systems and trolley rails.

During this period, the all-important testing, commissioning and handover training was completed, along with installation of the final passenger wayfinding and signage. It was at this stage that Losberger was finally able to measure how successfully its original brief and design had managed to meet the client’s original requirements.

The new facility at São Nicolau Airport has now been open for business since August 2013, with flights departing and arriving as per the original specification.

Contact

Losberger GmbH
Gottlieb-Daimler-Ring 14
Bad Rappenau
Germany
74906
  • +49 7066 980 218