First tenant announced for £1.7m digital business centre
A technology company has become the first tenant to move into Barnsley’s new digital business centre, DMC 02.
TÜV SÜD Ltd’s machinery division, which supplies specialist testing and compliance services to industry, has taken on premium office space in the newly refurbished £1.7m building.
DMC 02 is close to established business centre DMC 01 and both form part of Barnsley’s newly-launched digital campus, The Seam.
TÜV SÜD has leased a 1,270 sq ft office with a curved panoramic frontage and will use this space as its new UK Machinery division headquarters, transferring from Billingham in the North East.
The move is the first step in a five-year plan through which TÜV SÜD anticipates doubling turnover in the UK to £40m, creating seven to eight new jobs in Barnsley and recruiting engineering apprentices to join its nationwide workforce.
Company operations manager, Lee Ray, said: “We chose to move to DMC 02 because it provides us with a great location and a real uplift in our environment.
“On top of that, we’re very excited about joining the thriving community of digital tech innovation here.
“A key part of our growth strategy is to develop our expertise in smart technology, so we can continue to help our customers embrace Industry 4.0 opportunities and develop secure, sustainable and performance-enhancing machinery.
“We feel DMC 02 is the perfect springboard for this next stage of our business story.”
“We were looking to move before the outbreak but the pandemic actually speeded up that process.
“In a way it has turbo-charged the need for all businesses to invest in connected devices, automation and robotics as they navigate the new norms of more remote working, social distancing in the workplace and the ongoing need to adapt to the digital revolution.
“Also, more of our own staff have been equipped to work from home which has effectively made us more agile and able to pick the perfect location for our HQ.
“As an ambitious company in a competitive market, we need a high profile central UK hub where we can provide essential support services to our growing team of remote engineers, hold meetings, hot desk, deliver training and development, host VIP clients and so on.”
DMC manager, Tracey Johnson, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome TÜV SÜD to DMC 02.
“TÜV SÜD is an international business focused on supporting its customers to improve business performance through application of the very latest technology.
“They are a perfect fit and excellent addition to our digital business community. We look forward to supporting their development and growth at DMC 02.”
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “It’s fantastic to see businesses moving into Barnsley Digital Media Centre’s new digital business hub, DMC 02, which has received more than £2m investment from the Sheffield City Region’s Local Growth Fund.
“The centre will play a hugely important part in securing Barnsley’s role at the heart of digital technology and innovation in the North.
“I am pleased businesses continue to have confidence in Barnsley and South Yorkshire, despite the challenges we’ve faced in recent months.
“The DMC 02 will provide new opportunities for digital businesses to start up, grow and thrive and will make a vital contribution to developing a stronger, greener and fairer economy for the region.”
