The contract for freight and cargo handling systems at Heathrow was the largest mechanical handling contract to be awarded in the UK, when Laing announced in 1967 that it had been awarded to its mechanical division, H. J. Cash. Laing acquired H. J. Cash and Co Ltd in the late 1960s. The 10 acre building, which housed the separate BEA and BOAC cargo terminals and freight circuits, had already been built by Sir Robert McAlpine; both Thermalite and Lytag concrete products had been used in its construction. Laing was responsible for contract management and co-ordination of subcontractors, as well as engineering design, industrial engineering and mechanical handling installation, procurement and testing. Work began in July 1968, and the terminal was completed in 1969.
This image was catalogued as part of the Breaking New Ground Project in partnership with the John Laing Charitable Trust in 2019-20.
This is part of the Series: JLP01/08 John Laing Photographic Collection Black and White Negatives; within the Collection: JLP01 John Laing Photographic Collection
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
Late 20th Century Airport, Late 20th Century Distribution Centre, Construction
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