Chicago-based company first occupier for new i54 extension
The first occupier on the new i54 South Staffordshire 60-acre western extension has been unveiled as international company Fortune Brands Innovations.
The multi-brand company, based in Chicago, is building a 270,000 sq ft facility at the business park to support the group’s luxury ceramics and brassware brands within the kitchen and bathroom industry.
i54 sits on the county border with Wolverhampton and Fortune Brands’ investment is expected to bring to the area 250 permanent jobs over the first year of operation, including training opportunities for apprentices and graduates.
The new state-of-the-art manufacturing centre of excellence is due to be operational as the company’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters by the end of the year and will include a customer experience centre and training facility.
The current i54 business park, developed by City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council, is occupied by multi-national businesses including Jaguar Land Rover, Moog, ISP and Eurofins.
Following investment of more than £1bn, it hosts a workforce of around 2,700 people, with half of the jobs held by people living within a 10-mile radius.
Fortune Brands Innovations general manager Steve Geary said: “This investment reflects our continued commitment to the luxury Ceramics and Brassware sectors and we are hugely excited about the project. This new facility will allow us to both better service our customers and facilitate future growth.”
City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader Stephen Simkins said: “I am delighted to welcome Fortune Brands Innovations to i54. They are a major multi-national brand that will sit perfectly alongside our other high-calibre employers on what is one of the most successful business parks in the UK.
“Wolverhampton is the city of opportunity and, working with our partners Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire, the western extension has galvanised the reputation of i54 as a regional, national and international strategic site and centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing.
“Most importantly, Fortune Brands Innovations’ arrival will deliver further good-quality jobs and skills opportunities for our residents and boost economic growth.”
The remaining 25 acres of the i54 western extension is available to an end user for advanced manufacturing, technology, training and innovation.
The site offers fully serviced development platforms capable of accommodating up to 46,000sqm / 500,000sqft of B1 and B2 floorspace.
The i54 management team is marketing the final plot on the western extension.
