Leading paint manufacturer Johnstone’s has reached new heights after its products were used throughout the new £45 million security section of Gatwick Airport’s south terminal.
As the second largest airport in London, Gatwick handles over 34 million passengers a year and remains the largest airport with a single runway in the world.
Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the airport is currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme to upgrade its facilities at both the north and south terminals.
Gatwick’s south terminal, which when opened in 1958 became the world’s first single facility airport accessible by all modes of transport, now handles around 17.8 million flights per year so it’s vital the new facilities are durable and can withstand the high number of passengers moving throughout the building.
The project, overseen by main contractor Vinci Construction Ltd, saw a 30-strong team of decorators from Cousins Ltd take on the challenge of painting the south terminal building, including the new consolidated security section which covers the entire first floor of the building. In just 14 months, the team from Cousins used thousands of litres of Johnstone’s paint, and worked around the clock to complete the project on time, and all within the confines of an active 24-hour airport.
To ensure the project ran smoothly, with minimal disruption to passengers and staff alike, Cousins turned to products from Johnstone’s Ecological Solutions range, including Covaplus which allowed the work to be undertaken quickly due to the product’s fast drying properties and low odour formula. Johnstone’s Jonmat Premium Contract Matt, which provides an obliterating, permeable finish and is ideal for use on new plaster, was also used throughout the building with eye-catching results.
The project was so successful it has been the subject of a television programme and made several appearances on both local and national news programmes – and also included in the Special Interest Category Award at the prestigious Johnstone’s Painter of the Year ceremony.
Ben Doherty, Commercial Director at Cousins, said: “This was certainly a challenging project for us, as we had to literally work around the clock, at all hours of the day, while contending with a busy, fully operational airport and a constant stream of passengers. With the help of Johnstone’s range of low odour, quick drying paints, we were able to keep disruption to an absolute minimum, while also ensuring the project was finished on schedule.”
