News: Thetford to make Rotherham move

American engineering company, Thetford Ltd has signed a 17 year lease for an 83,000 sq ft pre-let industrial unit at Brookfields Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

Thetford is market leader in mobile sanitary solutions and products for the leisure and caravan market. These include cassette toilets, portable toilets, refrigerators, hot plates, cooking stoves and ovens. The Michigan-based company is best known as the inventor of the first permanent toilet with removable holding tank - the Porta-Potti.

Thetford Ltd is relocating around 180 staff into their new purpose-built facility from several smaller units totaling 60,000sq ft at Parkwood Industrial Estate in Sheffield, generating greater efficiencies and allowing for intended current and future expansion. The construction of the manufacturing facility and offices will be completed in December 2011 with Thetford due to take occupation shortly after.

Paul Chambers, General Manger at Thetford Ltd., said: "Our decision to remain located in South Yorkshire is not only down to our long-standing history in the region but also because of the developer's reputation for building top class facilities.

"In the current market, it was a prime opportunity for us to upgrade our property to something that is tailored to our specific requirements, while also taking advantage of the financial incentives on offer through the site's former Enterprise Zone status."

The 85 acre Brookfields scheme by St Paul's Developments and Tritax Assets has already resulted in over 1,800 jobs being delivered to the region. Following the pre-let to Thetford Ltd, the remaining site can accommodate around 100,000 sq ft of bespoke industrial/warehouse or office accommodation.

Managing Director of St Paul's Developments, David Newton, added: "We are incredibly proud of the inward investment that Brookfields continually attracts and in turn delivers to the region and to secure a pre-let of this magnitude demonstrates the scheme's long-term appeal."

CB Richard Ellis and Knight Frank represented the developers and Lambert Smith Hampton acted for Thetford Ltd.

Roger Haworth, Senior Director, CBRE Sheffield, said: "Along with Brookfield's acclaimed reputation within the region, the financial benefits resulting from the extended EZ status proved a key factor in securing this significant deal. The immediate deliverability of the site, combined with a simplified planning process, existing high calibre occupiers and reputable development team makes the remaining opportunities at Brookfields a unique offering in the market."

A planning application for the facility was submitted last month.

Thetford website
St Paul's Developments website

Images: thetford-europe.com