Jobs boost with further expansion of Advanced Manufacturing Hub
A LARGE industrial unit is set to be built at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub following a new deal between the city council and developers.
The new facility could help bring further manufacturing jobs to the city.
Birmingham City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), advised by Savills, have selected Trebor Developments to build the speculative unit at the Aston economic zone .
Working in conjunction with funding partner Aviva Investors, Trebor will develop the 94,500 sq ft unit, which will be known as ‘Apollo’, on a 4.7 acre site.
As part of the AMH, the land benefits from a Local Development Order which grants planning consent for manufacturing, light industrial and R&D use without the need for a conventional application. Fast track development will allow the building to be completed before the end of the year.
HydraForce Hydraulics was the first occupier to commit to the AMH in 2014, with more than 500 staff now based at the 120,000 sq ft facility, which is now the company’s European headquarters.
Additionally, global tool manufacturer Guhring is developing a 50,000 sq ft factory at the site which will accommodate R&D and full manufacturing process upon completion in January 2017.
Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The investment illustrates the confidence in Birmingham’s advanced manufacturing sector and also demonstrates my commitment to deliver growth and regeneration in areas outside of the city centre.”
Charles Spicer, industrial director at Savills, added: “As the first speculative development at the AMH, this is a major milestone. The investment will create more jobs for the area and further enhance this successful regeneration project.”
Bob Tattrie, managing partner of Trebor Developments, said the AMH was an outstanding site.
“The delivery of this large, fast-track industrial manufacturing premises adds to a range of other industrial schemes which Trebor is delivering across the Midlands to meet the growing demand for quality manufacturing premises,” he said.
Will Hutchinson, associate director at Aviva Investors, said the site represented an excellent opportunity to deliver a high quality manufacturing property to the market in quick time.
“We are excited by the growth prospects in Birmingham and believe this property will attract a good quality tenant resulting in more jobs for the local area,” he said.
Trebor and Aviva have jointly instructed Savills and Cushman & Wakefield as the letting agents for Apollo. Lisa McGinn, partner at Browne Jacobson’s Birmingham Office, acted for the HCA on the deal.
How the full building will look:
