Global tech firm to build regional hub after land purchase

One of the world’s leading global technology companies has acquired land to develop a purpose-built regional hub at IM Properties’ (IMP) Blythe Valley Business Park.

IMP has sold a nine acre plot to ZF, paving the way for the regional technical centre and office building which will bring hundreds of staff under one roof from its current campus of four buildings in Shirley.

Alastair McQueen, vice-president and site lead for ZF Shirley, said: “The new site at Blythe Valley Park offers us the opportunity to maintain our long-time affiliation with the Shirley area and will bring together the many facets of our existing multi-disciplinary campus under one roof.

“At Blythe Valley Park, we will have a sustainable, fit for purpose building, utilising the latest technologies to support the innovative and technological nature of our work.”

ZF is a global leader in drive-line and chassis technology, as well as active and passive safety technology. Its global workforce of almost 150,000 operates from 230 locations in 40 countries.

Lewis Payne, IMP’s development director, said: “BVP has consistently attracted a broad range of high quality occupiers from professional services to technology companies and has helped retain some of the region’s most forward thinking businesses including Gymshark, PKF Cooper Parry and GKN Aerospace.

“Our significant investment into the site and focus on creating a high quality environment is striking a chord with occupiers and we look forward to welcoming such a prestigious company such as ZF to BVP.”

JLL advised ZF on the transaction.  Savills and CBRE act as joint agents on BVP.