Manufacturer set to relocate to i54 business park after new funding deal

A WEST Midland manufacturer is set to relocate to the home of Jaguar Land Rover’s Engine Manufacturing Centre after completion of a major funding deal.

Aberdeen Asset Management, on behalf of institutional clients, has agreed to fund a new 135,625 sq ft unit at the i54 business park for security hardware and electronics firm ERA, a division of Tyman.

Commercial property developer Stoford secured the funding deal and the land for the new headquarters development has been purchased from Staffordshire County Council.

The multi-million-pound investment will provide a manufacturing and distribution facility with 25,000 sq ft of office space.  ERA, which currently has offices in Willenhall, Wolverhampton and Coventry, designs, develops, manufactures and distributes innovative solutions for the home security market.   

Commenting on the move, ERA CEO Darren Waters said: “i54 is an outstanding business location with excellent transport links.  It’s a great fit with our long-term strategy and will help to differentiate our brand, both as a supplier and leading employer.”
 
ERA will join occupiers such as Moog, Eurofins, ISP and JLR – which last year announced it would be doubling the size of its engine manufacturing centre at the business park.
 
Roger Annis, fund manager at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “The new motorway junction from the M54 directly on to the park has transformed this location into a key component and growth area of the Midlands industrial conurbation.  

“We are delighted to be able to fund this high-quality facility which will provide our investors with a long term, sustainable income stream and allow ERA, which has a long heritage in UK manufacturing dating back to 1838, to continue to thrive in a modern, purpose built and flexible facility.”
 
Dan Gallagher, joint managing director at Stoford, said: “We’re delighted that Aberdeen Asset Management has chosen to fund ERA’s new home in Wolverhampton.
 
“i54 has brought considerable investment to the area and has led to the creation of a great number of jobs. Located within an Enterprise Zone and with direct access to the M54, it is a key strategic site with a number of major occupiers manufacturing and transporting goods across the country. We’re positive ERA will feel right at home.”
 
Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader, Mark Winnington, said: “The move to its new headquarters will allow the company to continue to expand and innovate in modern, purpose-built facilities.

“ERA’s addition to i54 South Staffordshire is another significant milestone in the site’s development, bringing more investment and jobs to our area.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close