Homeware group commits to massive new site in Birmingham
A kitchen and homewares business is set to relocate to new premises in Birmingham in a multi-million pound investment that will safeguard hundreds of jobs.
KitchenCraft is a global developer and supplier of kitchen and homewares with some 4,000 lines distributed to more than 80 countries. It claims every household in the UK has at least one of its products.
The company has agreed a 15-year pre-let agreement with IM Properties for a new purpose-built 250,000 sq ft warehouse at The Hub, a thriving business park on the outskirts of the city.
Around 200 jobs will move from the firm’s current site in Garretts Green once the unit is constructed and fitted out, which should be during the third quarter of 2019.
The Hub, spanning 90 acres, already numbers Iron Mountain and TNT among its major corporate tenants, and includes the UK’s first Electricity Cost Neutral logistics building – let to Argos, and the new Birmingham Wholesale Markets which IMP built for Birmingham City Council.
With annual turnover close to £50m, KitchenCraft has outgrown its existing base and has been looking for suitable, larger premises which could house a national distribution; warehouse, office and show room space suitable for its current needs and projected expansion.
Matthew Canwell, managing director of KitchenCraft, added: “We are delighted to have committed to the next chapter of our businesses history and look forward to moving into our new home in 2019. The quality of the environment and the accessibility for suppliers, customers and our staff make this the right location for our business.”
Richard Lawrence, IMP’s development director, said: “As a Midlands-based company we’re always pleased to be supporting the region and working to retain local businesses and enable them to continue their expansion in the area.
“Because this will be KitchenCraft’s national distribution hub, it required a location which had great motorway access, and we’re right by the M6.
“The Hub has secured a number of deals during our ownership with a mix of pre-lets, pre sales and speculative development totaling 720,000 sq ft – we now only have eight acres of development land remaining and we expect to make a further announcement about this in the near future.”
MWRE acted on behalf of KitchenCraft.
CBRE, Knight Frank and Savills are joint agents for The Hub.