First phase completed on Swedish engineering firm’s new headquarters
Stoford has completed work on the first phase of an 18,015 sq ft innovation centre for metal cutting on behalf of Swedish engineering company Sandvik Coromant.
The developer has delivered the purpose-built UK headquarters building on a self-contained plot on the A456 Manor Way in Halesowen, where Sandvik has been based since 1958.
It will become a hub for manufacturing innovation and customer interactions, forming part of the established Sandvik Coromant Center global network, and is ready for immediate occupation.
The scheme was unlocked by a £5m investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
It replaces an existing warehouse building with office accommodation that is being demolished as part of the second phase of development, which will deliver 130 car parking spaces, including an initial 26 EV car charging points. Work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Angus Huntley, director at Stoford, said: “This is a modern and energy efficient headquarters building, which has transformed the site and retained many high quality jobs in the West Midlands. We are pleased to have worked in partnership with Sandvik Coromant to deliver the scheme and look forward to completing the final phase of works.”
David Harbon, UK sales director at Sandvik Coromant, said: “This is a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance metal cutting machining knowledge and innovation. The Sandvik Coromant Centre is a key part of our strategy and plays an important role in bringing people together, whether in-person or virtually, and connecting them with our leading offer. We are delighted to complete the first phase of this development working together with Stoford and the WMCA.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “It’s great news that a £5m investment from the WMCA is helping to regenerate yet another brownfield site – supporting valuable jobs for local residents. This scheme also supports our #WM2041 net zero commitment given its strong sustainability credentials.
“We remain as committed as ever to brownfield-first development which of course helps protect our precious greenbelt. It’s also fantastic that this scheme will ensure that Sandvik Coromant’s rich history of operating in the Black Country will continue in the years ahead. I cannot wait to see this scheme come to fruition.”
Access to the WMCA funding was provided by the property team at Frontier Development Capital and the building has been forward sold to AW James.
Stoford was advised by Atlas Real Estate and JLL advised Sandvik Coromant and AW James.
