News: £7m sale is all part of the evolution of the AMP

The successful sale of the fully-let Evolution development on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, is expected to advance the development of a second phase of light industrial / hybrid units.

Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers acquired the 87,500 sq ft development for £7.2m, representing an initial yield of 9.5%. It was developed speculatively in 2008 by a joint venture company created by landowner Harworth Estates and property developer Strategic Sites. It was fully let in 2012 and has achieved record rental after the recent Rolls-Royce tenancy.

Campbell Carruth, business parks director at Harworth Estates, said: "Evolution has proved to be a first class development: within the first six months of 2012 we let four units generating an annual income of over £250,000 and total annual rental income is now £725,000. Other tenants at Evolution include Carbolite, Polymer, Dormer Tools, Xeros, Struers and Liebherr.

"The demand for space at Evolution provided the platform for this sale. It has been so successful that demand was over-subscribed."

Law firm hlw Keeble Hawson represented Harworth Estates in the sale and OBI Property acted for Cornerstone. Richard Smith, partner at hlw Keeble Hawson, said: "Over the last few years the AMP has been recognised as the prime location for any company wanting to work at the heart of Europe's advanced manufacturing community. Securing a blue chip tenant of the calibre of Rolls-Royce to the AMP was critical to attracting investor interest in Evolution, which was the first speculative development at the AMP."

Plans are currently being finalised by Harworth Estates to assess the potential development platforms across the remaining AMP site and includes additional land which would take the full size of the development up to around 150 acres. This includes the development of a second phase of light industrial / hybrid units similar to the existing Evolution units.

As the Helical Governetz proposals for a 60,000 sq m government office campus on the Highfield Commercial site are not going to be delivered it is expected that the rest of the site will most likely reflect the less dense development seen at AMP.

Harworth Estates website
AMP website

Images: Strategic Sites

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News: X:Cel Superturn announces Rotherham investment

X:Cel Superturn, a global manufacturer of machined components, is the first major company to confirm an expansion into the Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone.

The Attercliffe firm announced that it will expand its current operations to a new 10,000 sq ft facility at the Evolution development on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham after securing a £6m contract.

The three-year contract is to supply precision gaskets and sealing rings to a global manufacturer of subsea trees, the equipment used to top underwater wellheads and control the flow of oil or gas. The contract was hard fought with a number of prominent rival manufacturers from America and Asia vying for the deal.

The agreement will mean that X:Cel Superturn will supply components to their client's international operations located in USA, Brazil, Scandinavia and Singapore. The completed trees will then be supplied to major international oil companies, including Shell and BP, for use in deep sea oil operations.

Andrew Taylor, managing director of X:Cel Superturn, said: "I'm looking forward to expanding our operations to the Advanced Manufacturing Park to meet the demands of this new contract.

"Many of our suppliers and are based in the Sheffield City Region, and there is a lot of technical expertise in the area, so setting up our flagship operation at the Enterprise Zone was a bit of a no-brainer."


James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "I would like to congratulate X:Cel Superturn on winning this major contract and I look forward to welcoming their expanded operation to the Enterprise Zone.

"I am sure that X:Cel Superturn will be in good company, as other international advanced manufacturers see our Enterprise Zone as the natural choice for their operations.

"Through companies like X:Cel Superturn, the Enterprise Zone is facilitating sustainable employment and economic growth."

Philippa Hedley, sector growth manager - Advanced Manufacturing and Materials at Creative Sheffield, said: "We are really pleased to be able to welcome X:Cel Superturn to the Enterprise Zone and we are certain that the Advanced Manufacturing Park will provide the best environment for their continued success."

Founded in 1983 Sheffield Superturn flourished as a sub-contract machine shop. Following years of collaboration, Sheffield Superturn purchased X:CEL (GB) Ltd in 2007 and at present, the company has 45 staff and a £12m turnover. The forecast is for this to increase to £18m over the next three years.

Approved by the government last month, the enterprise zone will offer a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period. Companies within the zone could also take advantage of enhanced capital allowances (instead of business rate discounts) for plant and machinery.

X:Cel Superturn website

Advanced Manufacturing Park website

Images: x-cel.com / Strategic Sites

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News: Liebherr moves onto the AMP in Rotherham

Liebherr-Great Britain Limited, one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction machinery is the latest international company to sign up at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.



The Swiss-based Liebherr-International AG company is know as the world's top mobile crane manufacturers as well as supplying technically innovative products and services in numerous other fields, including commercial refrigeration, aerospace and rail vehicles.

Liebherr-Great Britain Limited is expanding rapidly and defied the economic downturn in 2010 with construction machinery sales and equipment rental continuing to perform well. As part of the next phase of Liebherr's growth strategy in the UK, they have taken space in the Evolution @ the AMP development by Strategic Sites to provide them with a new service centre for earthmoving equipment.

The service centre will provide spare parts and depot support to customers and the field service engineering team already located in the area, enhancing the range of after sales services Liebherr offers to its growing customer base.

Gerry McKinstry, Liebherr's National After Sales Manager - Earthmoving Division, said: "The new service centre further improves our national coverage and will fulfill an important role in delivering high-quality and quick-response after sales support to our customers in the region."

Rebecca Schofield of Knight Frank added: "Liebherr is the latest company to see the value of locating a facility at the AMP. The Evolution development has proven to be extremely popular and Liebherr join a growing number of innovative manufacturing technology companies based here."

This latest announcement means that only four units in the Evolution development now remain, and with strong interest in these other units it is anticipated that this scheme will be fully let this year.

Liebherr-Great Britain Limited website
Strategic Sites website
AMP website

Images: liebherr.co.uk

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News: Struers move to the AMP

An international company providing technical support for manufacturers is bringing its world-leading operation to the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Materials testing specialist Struers is moving its UK operation from the West Midlands to a new world-class facility at Evolution @ the AMP so that it can better service its customers, many of them based in the UK's materials and metals heartland.

Struers has been inventing revolutionary products since 1875, and continues to research leading edge technology for the future. It works in the automotive, aerospace and steel industries with companies including Rolls-Royce, Nissan, Boeing, Thyssen and Kobe Steel.

Established in 19 countries worldwide its machines are used by engineers to test the quality and reliability of an increasing range of materials – as well as the paint for old masters, they include composites used to manufacture components for aircraft and Formula 1 engines.

Despite the downturn, the company hopes to increase its £3m annual turnover and 11-strong workforce at its new laboratory at the AMP.

Struers managing director Dr Lee Cobb said: "Advanced manufacturing is our core business so it makes perfect sense for us to move to the AMP, which is leading the world in terms of innovation and research in the sector.

"Our collaborative approach to doing business sits well with the AMP's culture of sharing knowledge to benefit UK companies supplying world leading organisations, and we already work with companies on the Park including TWI, Cti and Dormer Tools.

"We pride ourselves on the quality of support we provide for the manufacturing sector in the UK. Our expertise and the quality of our machines mean we can make a real difference, helping customers improve their processes, so they can get answers to their problems faster.

"The AMP community offers this country's manufacturers an unbeatable level of support and we are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the team."

Strategic letting agents Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) and commercial lawyers hlw arranged the deal on the 3,641 sq ft unit on behalf of Evolution @ the AMP owners UK Strategic Partnership, a joint venture between UK Coal and Strategic Partnerships.

Struers website
AMP website
Rotherham

Images: AMP

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News: Interest soars in Rotherham's AMP

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham is enjoying a record level of interest from companies looking for new accommodation.

UK Strategic Partnership, the joint venture company created by landowner UK Coal and property developer Strategic Sites, reports that virtually all the 12 available buildings at their Evolution development are under offer.

This follows the creation of a new AMP support team, headed by Joe Anwyl working with specialists from Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), and the decision by UK Strategic Partnership and Yorkshire Forward to provide tangible help to companies in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Financial incentives include up to 18 months rent free, plus technical help towards fit-out works and assistance towards securing grants and other help.

Strategic Sites chief executive Paul Barber said: "We have always had faith that the AMP offered an unique proposition to advanced manufacturing companies and we have gone to great lengths to devise a financial package that works for them."

As well as leasing or buying existing units, qualifying companies can have "made to measure" buildings constructed.

This initiative is time limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The AMP already provides world-class facilities for Boeing, Rolls-Royce, the University of Sheffield and Dormer Tools.

Stetegic Sites website
AMP website
Rotherham

Images: strategic-sites.com

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News: AtraNova, Rotherham's newest hi-tech company

AtraNova, a spinout from Cambridge technology consultancy Sagentia Group plc, has become the latest company to relocate to the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham. AtraNova has exclusive use of a new patented technology called Ebonex, a titanium sub-oxide material from which the company has developed an electrolysis based system to create a chemical reaction and improve a company's effluent discharge into the sewer. AtraNova is working with businesses from the food, beverage, chemical and textiles industries which pay around £250,000-£300,000 a year to water companies for the treatment of their waste water. The aim of the Ebonex technology is to reduce this bill by between 50 and 80 per cent. A number of companies around the country already have the equipment installed and operational and AtraNova aims to have a dozen in operation by the end of 2009. AtraNova provides the equipment on a no charge basis but enters an agreement to take 50 per cent of the savings the company makes. Martin Frost, chairman of AtraNova, said: "Installing the product in this way is a statement of our belief and confidence in it. We believe in the technology and the market and know we have the potential to save a significant amount of money for many cash constrained businesses. "As with all new technology, this approach provides us with a chance to show the customer how our product will work and the commercial benefits it offers their business at no cost to them." The move into Strategic Sites' Evolution units has been helped by a £500,000 equity-based investment from South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF). Martin added: "We decided to move to South Yorkshire because of the excellent support that is available to businesses and many of our customers are likely to be based within easy reach of Sheffield. "The money from SYIF will enable us to increase staff numbers to manage the equipment, the installation and provide support to customers. It will also help AtraNova create new business opportunities from an important manufacturing base."

AtraNova website

AMP Waverley

SYIF website

Rotherham

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News: Dormer handed keys to Rotherham facility

Dormer Tools has been given the keys to their multi-million facility at the groundbreaking Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. The hand-over is almost a year since work began on the 20,000 sq ft facility, which will house a research and development unit, training centre and an international export service. An official opening of Dormer's new site within the AMP will take place in the New Year. Dormer Tools - part of the Swedish-based Sandvik Group - has relocated from their Shireoaks Road site in Worksop. Nick Garner, Managing Director at Dormer Tools, said: "We are delighted to receive the keys to our new development within the Advanced Manufacturing Park. It's the perfect early Christmas present! "These are exciting times for Dormer Tools and we look forward to 2009 as being a great year for the company to continue its growth from within South Yorkshire. The new facility will expand Dormer's desire to create new innovative solutions and revolutionary design technologies for the engineering cutting tools industry." Dormer's new facility marks a significant investment by Sandvik, who expect it to become one of the leading research and development facilities in Europe, capitalising on the region's manufacturing expertise. A key focus will be the development of new cutting tools for machining of advanced aerospace materials, high performance drilling and specialist applications in sectors such as motorsport and medical equipment. Investments by Yorkshire Forward and the European Union's European Regional Development Fund have supported the move with Dormer acquiring the land from regeneration specialist Strategic Sites, who has teamed up with UK Coal to develop industrial space within the AMP.

Dormer Tools website
AMP website
Rotherham

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News: Templeborough Regeneration

The regeneration of the former site of the Templeborough Steelworks is continuing, with five schemes due to be completed over the next two years. RiDO’s £5m environmentally friendly business centre will be joined by business units within Strategic Sites’ Ignite@Magna and further office / industrial space as part of the Magna 34 development by Jaguar Estates. St Paul’s are creating office space at the Rotherham side of Templeborough with their Phoenix Riverside development, and Ordic Investments have a similar scheme at the Sheffield end.

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