
GKN Automotive is the market leader in the development and delivery of contemporary and electrified driveline systems and solutions for the automotive industry. GKN is a growing company, and with that growth comes expansion. They needed a custom-built solution for their new warehouse test chambers. These test chambers needed to meet specific safety guidelines, along with a necessity for a custom aesthetic look for the paint job.
Project Overview
Application: Create two test chambers rooms to product products and personnel from the noise generated by the factory.
Products:
- Custom-colored 4-wall (12’ tall) OmniFlex with Steel Fire and Sound Panels
- 25 PSF Load-Bearing Roof
- Accessible Roof-Mounted HVAC Unit
- Lexan glazed windows for added safety in the event on object would strike a window during testing
The Situation
Beyond the test chambers themselves, the entire solution needed to be built quickly, and with no disruption to daily operations. PortaFab worked closely with our distributor and GKN to coordinate the installation process with the other trades involved in the build.

Benefits Provided
Adhere to the strict safety
requirements of the customer by
providing reinforced walls, roof and
Lexan glass
The ability to match the European
custom color requirements by the
client
Structural calculations for the client
to obtain proper building permits for
the PortaFab structure
Provide fast and clean installation
while continuing production and
minimizing down time
The ability to relocate or modify as
their business evolves

The Solution
The customer was considering conventional construction versus modular construction. With PortaFab’s modular solution, we engineered two test chambers with the PortaFab OmniFlex Steel Fire and Sound panels. These panels allowed for reduced sound within the test chambers and were also certified to meet the suggested safety standards that were required of the project.

Modular Construction
Along with the benefits of the panels, the test chambers were installed with no disruption to daily warehouse operations, were built in a clean and timely fashion, and PortaFab was able to custom create the desired paint color required by the customer to fit their global branding standards. PortaFab’s modular solution met all the customers requirements, while also saving time and money for the overall project.