Airco marks success with new HQ
A COMPANY which began as a one-man refrigeration service nearly 25 years ago has underlined its growing status as a national building services business with the move to a new headquarters.
Airco, which now employs more than 80 people has invested over £400,000 on top of the purchase price on its new premises at Goulton House, a former Smith & Nephew property.
Airco was launched in Hull in 1991 and has vacated leased premises of 6,000 sq ft at Henry Boot Way on Priory Park to seize the opportunity offered by Goulton House. The company has engaged Hull-based Chameleon Business Interiors to refurbish the new home, which provides 15,000 sq ft of space for office, warehouse and workshop facilities.
Managing director Neil Fisher said: “Our core business is the provision of air conditioning and refrigeration services to a wide range of customers but we have expanded to become a multi-disciplinary building services company.
“Our base has always been Hull but we now have offices in Immingham and Leeds and are continuing to grow, with engineering teams operating around the UK and additional offices in central London and Milton Keynes.
“Our expansion has been driven by a focus on engineering excellence, customer service, value for money and teamwork. We are proud of our team and our new building so we have worked hard to make sure it is a great place to work.
“We have cut back the vegetation to drivers on the A63 coming into Hull can see us, and we will soon be revealing details of our new building’s unique training facilities and environmental features.”
Paul White, agency director at Garness Jones, which completed the deal, said his office disposed of 85,000 sq ft of office space during 2014 and sees Airco’s expansion as another sign of rising confidence in the property market and of the commitment of employers to providing high quality work space.
Mr White said: “The move to Goulton House is a significant step for Airco. It also illustrates the increasing eagerness of some businesses to seek the security of investing in their own premises.
“The signs are that companies which have survived the tough economic climate now have the confidence to invest in property. More importantly the fact that they are still there means they can secure the confidence of the banks to help them buy their own premises.”
During 2014 Garness Jones experienced the largest amount of take-up of office space since the recession began, with 85,000 sq ft of space let or sold.
“We expect more of the same during 2015, with owners positioning themselves to deliver high specification at high speed,” Mr White added.
“There has been positive news during 2014 but we think people will be looking for more opportunities during 2015, and they are definitely available. We see the market improving with landlords eager to ensure properties are available for quick occupancy.”
