Mining giant moving to Logistics North

JOY Global, an international mining support group, has acquired an 8.3 acre site in Bolton for its new regional base.

The US company is to relocate its existing operation based in Ince, Wigan, to Harworth Estates’ Logistics North development, where it is the third occupier, joining low-cost supermaket Aldi and defence company MBDA at the project.

Joy Global, a specialist in high productivity mining solutions with a stock market value of $3.8bn, will develop its new North West facility, comprising a test area, office space for storage and distribution, as well as land for open storage and car parking.  

The sale to Joy Global follows Harworth’s  announcement in May that it had completed the first phase construction of the  spine road and associated infrastructure, which opened up development plots, including the one purchased by Joy Global.

Logistics North was granted outline planning consent in December 2013 for 4 million sq ft of distribution and manufacturing space. It is the largest manufacturing and distribution site with live planning consent in the North West, according to a recent survey undertaken by Planning Resource.  

Phil Wilson, executive director of Harworth Estates, said: “Logistics North continues to make a significant contribution to the north west’s economy and the swift progress we have made in bringing the site forward for development reflects our expertise at regenerating large, former mining sites.  

“The deal with Joy Global reflects the ever-increasing demand for high-quality manufacturing and distribution space in the north and we expect to attract more high-calibre occupiers to the site in the remainder of 2015.”

Keith Davies, director of regeneration at Bolton Council, added: “Persuading a high-quality international company to relocate its facility here rather than another part of the country is great news for the region.

“This news further consolidates Logistics North as one of the region’s key economic development sites and is another big step forward in delivering the council’s economic strategy for Bolton.”

Harworth’s agents at Logistics North are JLL and DTZ.