Chemicals firm to start construction of £9m training centre
Construction work is set to start in the next few weeks on a £9m training centre for chemicals firm Lubrizol.
The Hazelwood company has chosen Derbyshire contractor G F Tomlinson to build the high-tech conferencing centre that it says will strengthen its place at the forefront of the global specialist chemicals industry.
The company, in Nether Lane, has taken three years to plan and design the project, which will see the creation of a split-level, high-tech meeting and training facility built into the hillside.
Lubrizol has occupied its site for more than 70 years but says that its current training facilities are no longer fit for purpose because they are cramped and the information technology is out of date.
Instead, the new building will be able to accommodate up to 200 people, predominantly staff and customers, in six flexible conference areas which, with retractable stadium-style seating, can be converted into an auditorium setting in front of a large cinema-style screen.
The building has been designed by architects Morrison Design, based in Derby.
Simon Griffiths, general manager of Lubrizol Hazelwood, said: “We’re delighted to announce G F Tomlinson as the lead contractors on this project, further strengthening our commitment to using local suppliers wherever possible.
“This is a world-class facility that will have been designed and built in the heart of Derbyshire, and which will help Lubrizol to grow and stay at the forefront of our industry in the 70 countries we operate in across the globe.
“Sharing knowledge is vital in our business and this facility will help us to ensure that staff and customers have somewhere they can come together in order to do that and can learn about our work and our products.
“This cutting-edge development will safeguard the future of this site, while the local hotels and restaurants will benefit from the delegates who come to visit us. It’s a tremendously exciting prospect and now that we have our contractors in place, we are looking forward to seeing it take shape.”
Work is due to begin on site in the coming months and is expected to be completed by mid-2020.
Andy Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “I worked closely with Lubrizol on a project in 1995 and the company has worked with them a few times before and since, so it’s fantastic to work together once again on such an important site for Lubrizol.
“It’s a privilege to be delivering this state-of-the-art, flagship facility, which will create a collaborative and stimulating environment for both staff and visitors at the centre of Lubrizol’s operations in Europe.”
