News: Rotherham manufacturer drives export growth with £1.5m government guarantee

Preformed Windings Limited, a leading manufacturer of high-voltage bars and diamond coils, has secured enhanced financial backing to strengthen its position in international markets through a £1.5m trade loan facility from HSBC UK, backed by a guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency.

The company has over 50 years of experience manufacturing high-voltage bars and coils that are essential for stabilising and enhancing the performance of heavy machinery across multiple sectors, including hydropower, nuclear and power generation. These specialised components extend asset life, improve efficiency and reduce maintenance requirements for equipment that typically operates under extreme electrical stress.

Preformed Windings has operations at Vector 31 at Waleswood in Rotherham. It recently added a further 11,000 sq ft for a 60% increase in manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for high-voltage diamond coils.

With over 90% of its business driven by exports, Preformed Windings supplies customers across multiple continents. The trade loan facility, backed by UKEF’s General Export Facility, provides the financial flexibility needed to manage working capital while continuing to invest in growth and technical innovation, enabling the company to confidently handle large international orders and serve its expanding global customer base.

The company now employs more than 120 people – with 10% of staff recruited in the last six months – and expects to add further roles across production, technical, and sales teams as growth continues.

Preformed Windings works closely with Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Limited and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, offering post-graduate and degree apprenticeship schemes to develop future engineering talent within the region.

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Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said: "Preformed Windings’ success shows exactly why we created the General Export Facility - to give UK businesses the flexibility to invest in export growth. Their commitment to technical innovation and training showcases why the UK remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.

"By backing companies like Preformed Windings, we’re strengthening the UK’s competitive edge, supporting skilled jobs, and nurturing the engineering talent that underpins our economy.

"Looking ahead, the company is focused on expanding further into markets in North America, Middle East, Japan, and Europe, which present exciting opportunities for Preformed Windings advanced bar and coil technologies and expertise in supporting high-efficiency power generation."

James Stevens, CEO at Preformed Windings Limited, said: "With over 90% of our business driven by exports, the support by UKEF and HSBC UK has been critical in strengthening our position as a global leader in high-voltage bars and diamond coils.

"The General Export Facility has given us the confidence to manage working capital to meet overseas demand efficiently and competitively. As we expand into new markets, we see UKEF as a key partner in our international growth."

Kayley Towle, International Manager at HSBC UK, said: "At HSBC UK, we’re delighted to support innovative businesses like Preformed Windings to achieve their export growth ambitions. Working alongside UKEF, this is a great example of how partnership between banking and government can provide the flexible financing that businesses need to capitalise on international opportunities."

Preformed Windings website

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News: Rotherham expansion moves for industrial specialists

Two growing businesses have expanded into a popular Rotherham industrial estate.

Specialist hire company RVT Group, which offers tailored solutions for dust control, fume extraction, ventilation, noise barriers, water treatment, environmental monitoring and climate control, has enlarged its depot facilities after taking 35,000 sq ft of industrial space at Vector 31 in Waleswood.

The company, started in 1993, had outgrown its existing unit in Chesterfield, while existing tenant Preformed Windings, which manufacture coils for high-voltage motors and generators, has expanded at the popular industrial scheme.

Preformed Windings' current unit, Unit C, spans 19,000 sq ft, and the new unit, Unit J, adds an additional 11,000 sq ft. The 60% increase in manufacturing capacity is to meet the growing demand for high-voltage diamond coils.

Officially opening the new unit, Rother Valley MP, Jake Richards said that the new unit comes as part of a £3m capital investment programme.

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Agents Knight Frank secured the unit for RVT, which has sites across the UK including two offices in Dartford plus branches in Northampton, Chester and Scotland, and also negotiated the move for Preformed Windings, which has more than 50 years of experience of partnering major OEMs and rewind shops worldwide.

Harry Orwin-Allen, surveyor in the Knight Frank Sheffield office, said: “Vector 31 is a prime South Yorkshire location and offers occupiers high grade industrial and warehouse units built to modern specification. Both companies needed extra capacity in high quality accommodation, and Vector 31 fitted the bill.”

RVT Group has grown from a small family-run organisation to a medium-size enterprise, with a long-standing team of experts meaning it has become one of the industry leaders in health hazard control.

It supplies products to contractors all around the UK and supports major contractors including Skanska, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, Kier, Willmott Dixon, Network Rail.

Preformed Windings employs a team of 80 highly skilled experienced staff to support customers in designing, manufacturing, and shipping high-quality coils. Its expertise includes spanning winding, insulation, coil design, and manufacturing precision and excellence, and is renowned for being the fastest coil manufacturers globally, excelling in short lead times for critical repairs.

RVT website
Preformed Windings website

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News: Plans approved at £24m Rotherham development

Plans are progressing for a 250,000 sq ft development in a popular commercial location in Rotherham.

A logistics firm has already signed up to take 85,000 sq ft of warehouse space.

Outline approval was secured in 2021 for Network Space's £24m industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1.

Vector 31 West is being created on a 8.8 hectare parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road (A618). The site is opposite to the exisitng Vector 31 development and is next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK.

The site has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

The latest reserved matters application relates to landscaping on the site as conditions were attached to the outline permission to address the development's proximity to overnight accommodation at Gulliver's Valley and the greenbelt.

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The application relates to the plot area of Area 1 only and advanced structural planting for the wider site. Details of a drainage scheme and an arboricultural impact assessment have also been signed off.

Separate reserved matters applications will be submitted to secure details of layout, scale, appearance, siting and landscaping to other development plots.

Agents for the scheme, Knight Frank, have produced a marketing brochure which shows that the largest unit on the site is already pre-let.

The brochure shows that "an international logistics firm" has agreed to take the 85,000 sq ft Unit 1 at Vector 31 West.

The pre-let leaves potential occupiers with high grade industrial / warehouse units built to modern specification. The scheme is suitable for B1, B2 and B8 industrial / distribution uses and will provide units from 16,500 to 42,000 sq ft.

When the outline plans were submitted they estimated that the development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

Network Space website

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News: Jobs hope as global logistics firm eyes new Rotherham unit

A new Rotherham commercial development looks to have ticked all the right boxes for an expanding logistics firm.

Rothbiz reported back in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created at Waleswood on a parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road close to Junction 31 of the M1. The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

Network Space recently secured outline consent for the £24m industrial development and is advancing plans for up to 254,000 sq ft of B2 and B8 employment space on the 22-acre site.

The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

A new detailed application shows that an unnamed logistics company has asked Network Space to deliver a bespoke 85,000 sq ft unit.

The proposals for Unit 1 differ from the approved parameters of the outline permission and are for a storage and distribution warehouse with 6,000 sq ft of ancillary office space.

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The application, drawn up by Spawforths, states: "The Unit is intended to be occupied by a logistics occupier who are globally recognised. The company is a leading specialist for trade related services including transport logistics, global ecommerce and distribution. The requirements of this end user have been incorporated into the layout and design of Unit 1."

It adds that the end user provides "import and export, fulfilment services and parcel distribution" and states that this unit alone could provide space for 200 jobs.

The parking facilities onsite would comprise of car parking (73 spaces, including four disabled and 15 electric charging spaces), HGV parking (16 spaces), LGV parking (seven spaces), van parking (26 spaces all of which will be electric charging spaces) and cycle parking (eight spaces).

Some mitigation is proposed, inlcuding acoustic barriers located along the west of the service yard.

Since traffic lights now are being used full time at the nearby junction 31 of the M1, a transport assessment submitted with the plans demonstrates that, whilst the proposed development does constitute an increase in overall traffic levels generated by the whole Vector 31 West Site as a whole during the critical weekday peak periods, the additional traffic levels impacting M1 Junction 31, "does not result in the degradation or worsening of the operation of the junction when compared to the level of operation already considered and approved at outline stage."

Network Space website

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News: Outline approval for £24m Rotherham development

Network Space has secured outline consent for a £24m industrial development at Waleswood in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported back in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created on a parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road close to Junction 31 of the M1. The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

Network Space will now advance plans for up to 254,000 sq ft of B2 and B8 employment space on the 22-acre site. Indicative plans approved show between seven and nine self-contained, detached units ranging from 12,500 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, with design and build opportunities also available.

The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

Simon Eaton, development manager at Network Space, said: "We are delighted to have secured consent to regenerate this high-profile brownfield site. Vector 31 West is extremely well located, just minutes from Junction 34 of the M1, and we are looking forward to building on the success of our previous developments at Vector 31.

"Our intention now is to progress the development of a first phase of speculative, high quality employment units that will satisfy regional market requirements as well as national occupier needs. Simultaneously, we will be marketing the site for design and build opportunities to come forward alongside our development."

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Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank, added: "We are continuing to see strong interest for industrial and warehouse space across the South Yorkshire region, the quality of accommodation which Network Space will offer to the market will no doubt prove popular to satisfy demand."

Gulliver's Valley, which has plans for further holiday accommodation nearby, raised concerns over noise, odour, lighting, fumes and vibration from the proposed industrial site. Conditions on the planning approval should see construction activity only at set hours and Noise Impact Assessments will need to be submitted as further, more detailed, plans are put forward regarding the end users of the new units.

Network Space has a long history with this former colliery site having delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at the adjacent Vector 31 development. The first phase was fully occupied within a year of completion in 2008 and is currently occupied by a range of national and international businesses, including parcel delivery giant Hermes.

The Vector 31 Networkcentre was sold in 2018 in a £91m deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites.

Network Space was supported in its application by Harris Partnership, Walker Sime, Spawforths, Tetra Tech and Infrastructure Planning & Design. Knight Frank is appointed as agent with NSM set to provide asset management services.

Network Space website

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News: Plans in for £24m development at Vector 31

Proposals that would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development in a popular commercial location in Rotherham have been submitted.

Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24m industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created on a 8.8 hectare parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road (A618). The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up to 254,000 sq ft of E, B2 and B8 employment space on an 8.8 hectare site. Indicative plans submitted with the application show two options with seven or nine self-contained, detached units ranging from 12,500 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, with design and build opportunities also available.

The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

Simon Eaton, development manager at Network Space, said: "Vector 31 West can provide a wide range of industrial accommodation which will appeal to smaller workspace occupiers through to distribution centre requirements. Given the strong location and market demand, we intend to commence with a first phase of speculative units as soon as possible, whilst maintaining our ability to deliver larger units on a design and build basis.

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"The success of our earlier development at Vector 31 demonstrates that this is one of the Yorkshire region’s most sought after locations, offering a strategic central distribution route close to the M1 as well as easy access to Rotherham and Sheffield. The development will therefore serve to meet regional market requirements as well as national occupier needs."

Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank, added: "We are continuing to see strong interest for industrial and warehouse space across the South Yorkshire region, the quality of accommodation which Network Space will offer to the market will no doubt prove popular to satisfy demand."

Network Space has a long history with this former colliery site having delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at the adjacent Vector 31 development. The first phase was fully occupied within a year of completion in 2008 and is currently occupied by a range of national and international businesses, including parcel delivery giant Hermes.

The Vector 31 Networkcentre was sold in 2018 in a £91m deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites.

Architects for the scheme is Harris Partnership.

Knight Frank is appointed as agent and NSM will provide asset management services.

Network Space website

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News: NSM delivers quickly for Hermes

Industrial asset management specialist NSM has let an additional unit in Rotherham to global logistics giant Hermes -  with the deal from initial enquiry to occupation taking just five days.

As demand for logistic and industrial space grows during the covid-19 crisis, NSM was initially approached by Hermes with a speculative enquiry on Monday April 27 for expansion space at the Vector 31 Industrial Park, close to Junction 31 of the M1 at Waleswood.

A viewing was arranged, and Head of Terms were finalised within 24 hours. The lease was agreed and signed a day later with Hermes taking occupation of the 11,650 sq. ft unit on Friday May 1st.

Nicky Jones, managing director at NSM, said: "Demand for quality logistics and industrial space is huge at the moment but even in our most optimistic moment we never thought we would be able to deliver a deal like this in such a tight timeframe. I am incredibly proud of the NSM team and our partners for making a 5-day turnaround possible, it really shows how agile our business is.

"We are obviously delighted to assist a current tenant and we have also been able to offer flexible leasing terms that suit their current business demands."

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Hermes is the UK's largest home delivery courier network handling more than 245 million parcels last year. It first took space in Rotherham with a 35,600 sq ft warehouse at Vector 31 in 2011.

David McPherson, head of depots at Hermes, said: "We're delighted that NSM has been able to support Hermes with a quick turnaround on the letting. Our business is incredibly agile and needs to have the ability to quickly scale up when demand is high, the pandemic has accelerated the shift from the high street to online. Additional pop-up depots like these give us the opportunity to operate safely and continue to support our clients so we can meet demand from the end customer and in turn support the government’s guidance to stay home wherever possible."

Vector 31 offers nine high quality modern industrial units with gated yards, centrally heated offices, dedicated car parking, heating and lighting in the warehousing areas, as well as 7m high eaves.

As an industrial asset management specialist NSM manages more than 4.3million sq. ft of industrial property across the north. It currently looks after 669 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £14m.

Images: NSM

Hermes website
NSM website

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News: Vector 31 back fully let

The popular Vector 31 commercial development in Rotherham is back up to being 100% let.

Network Space (formerly known as Langtree) has delivered over 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at its Vector 31 development at Waleswood.

The latest deal sees a 10,000 sq ft unit let to Turners Garage Ltd on a 10-year lease. Based in Selby, Turner's Garage is a family run accident and repair business established in 1968 which works with the UK's major insurance companies and fleet operators for their vehicle accident repair provision.

The move follows on from the company making a £1.5m investment in 2018 in a 22,000 sq ft accident repair facility, creating 40 new jobs in the Doncaster area.

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The Vector 31 lease is the first major deal since Network Space established Network Space Management (NSM) as a business in its own right to broaden its offering. Network Space has over 35 years' experience in managing commercial property and NSM will continue to build on this alongside the investment and development arms of the group.

At the end of 2018, InfraRed Capital Partners Limited acquired a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial properties from Network Space, plus two development sites, which will deliver a further 200,000 sq ft, in a deal worth £93m.

As part of the deal, Network Space will actively manage the assets by renewing leases on expiry, letting vacant space and if necessary, undertaking refurbishments across the portfolio.

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Nicky Jones, managing director for NSM, said: "This is an exciting time for the business, having worked with InfraRed for just over one month, we are delighted to have already completed several transactions including bringing Vector 31 back to full occupancy."

Vector 31 comprises nine units and has tenants including Hermes and Century Plastics. Plans are being discussed for ten further units at "Vector 31 West" which could be created on a 8.8 hectare parcel of land across Mansfield Road.

Turner's Garage website
Network Space website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Next phase of Vector 31 mapped out

The next phase of a popular business park in Rotherham is being planned which would help to create hundreds of jobs.

Network Space (formerly known as Langtree) is looking ahead having already delivered over 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at its Vector 31 development at Waleswood.

"Vector 31 West" could be created on a 8.8 hectare parcel of land to the north of Wales Bar on the west side of Mansfield Road (A618) that the developers want to see come forward for employment use. The site has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

Close to the site of the proposed £37m leisure development adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park, Rotherham Council has already carried out £1.2m of transport improvements to improve access in the area, which is close to Junction 31 of the M1.

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Discussions are continuing between the developers and the Council over using 6.5 hectares of the site, which is alongside the large Greencore facility.

Draft plans have been prepared by Spawforths, the Harris Partnership and WYG, which show a range of industrial units of varying sizes totalling 247,000 sq ft. Ten units are shown, ranging from 10,750 sq ft to 42,000 sq ft. Earthworks and remediation will be required so any development would come forward in a number of phases.

The plans state: "The site is located within the Waleswood industrial area, which is a major employment site in Rotherham providing job opportunities to the surrounding areas of Aston, Wales, Kiveton and Killarmarsh.

"The site is owned by Network Space Ltd, an experienced commercial real estate investment, development and management group operating across the North and Midlands of England. They own and manage an investment portfolio of over 3 million sq. ft. of modern industrial and office development across 60 locations in the UK.

"The proposals comprise employment development for uses within B1 (b) (c), B2 and B8. The application will submitted in hybrid form with full details provided for earthworks, the first phase of development and main point of access into the site from Mansfield Road. Given the timescales involved in respect of the engineering works and ground remediation required to prepare the site for development for industrial use, permission is sought on a phased basis, with a ten year period to implement any permission granted."

It adds that the proposals would deliver "positive economic growth, substantial inward investment and significant job opportunities for the surrounding local area in a sustainable and highly accessible location."

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The site has been given a draft allocation for employment uses in the emerging Local Plan which also proposed the release of nearby Green Belt land to the North of School Road / Off Waleswood Way behind the cricket pitch, and its allocation for use for business and industry.

Network Space put forward further future phases here but this could be impacted by the realigned route of HS2 which is set to run alongside the M1.

Network Space website

Images: Network Space

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News: Green light for Growth Corridor

A road improvement scheme that could pave the way for 850 new jobs in Rotherham is set to get underway next week.

Last year, Rothbiz reported on plans for £1.2m of transport improvements to support the proposed £37m leisure development adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park.

Now the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority has agreed to contribute up to £759,000 to the A618 Growth Corridor scheme, which will see work completed on junctions on the A618 and A57 network including traffic lights and extra lanes.

Close to junction 31 of the M1, the scheme is also set to support further phases of the successful Vector 31 development at Waleswood.

Owners and developers, Langtree, are in discussions with Rotherham Council to deliver approximately 215,000 sq ft gross of employment space on land over the road to the 160,000 sq ft of industrial space already let.

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At the nearby Pit House West site, 98 hectares to the north of the Rother Valley Country Park is planned to be transformed into Gulliver's Valley - a family theme park resort and year round destination aimed at 2 - 13 year olds. 215,000 sq ft of buildings are proposed including: Main Street featuring an indoor, year round attraction including a splash zone, interactive play areas and NERF zone; five key ride areas providing over 40 rides and attractions; three hotels; themed holiday lodges, themed leisure facilities; and a spa and fitness centre.

The planning application is scheduled to be discussed by the Council's planning board at a special meeting this month.

Damien Wilson, strategic director for environment and regeneration said the transport scheme was key to ensuring the local infrastructure supported future economic growth in the region.

He said: "Having two very successful companies interested in developments within the Rotherham borough demonstrates the confidence businesses have that coming to Rotherham can yield good returns financially. We want to ensure that the road network is capable of supporting that growth and investment, whilst ensuring any developments do not disrupt the local population, but instead provide opportunities for everyone."

Phase 1 works would need to be carried out by the end of March and lane closures will be in place at the roundabout at Aston Way / Mansfield Road from February 6.

Any further and later works in the area would have to be the subject of a further bid, or funded by other sources. The Council's cabinet has already approved the use of £384,000 for Phase 2 from the £10m allocation for Highway Improvement Works, approved as part of the Capital Strategy.

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News: Millions in funding for key Rotherham projects set for approval

Over £10m of funding is set to be approved by Sheffield city region (SCR) officials for key regeneration projects in Rotherham - including the £12m Higher Education Campus and the revamp of Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

The RNN Group has been successful in securing £3.5m from the Sheffield city region skills capital fund - a £13m pot for training space, workshop or launch pad facilities.

The SCR combined authority is set to sign off the bid at the end of January and proceed to Full Approval and Award of Contract.

The Centre for Higher Level Skills project involves the construction of a 35,500 sq ft campus in Rotherham town centre which is set to be built on the site where the former Victorian hospital at Doncaster Gate was controversially demolished by Rotherham Council.

The papers explain: "The centre will offer an employer driven curriculum providing the skills and competency training provision that best meets the needs of the local economy and is focused on key growth sectors.

"The curriculum offer will focus on higher level vocational training, apprenticeship, degree apprenticeships and foundation degrees. The Centre for High Level Skills will also be used to deliver full cost commercial training, host small conferences (aimed at employers and learners at the centre), seminars and other stakeholder activity such as business, skills and employment groups."

The bid would lead to the creation of 200 jobs and hopes to assist over 1,000 people in boosting their skills over the next five years.

The funding has a clawback clause of 30% based on learner number outcomes. In November, Rothbiz reported on Heads of Terms being issued by Lloyds Bank to the RNN Group for a loan of £4.5m to replace the existing Rotherham Council loan, together with £6m to fund the Higher Skills Centre project.

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Also set for sign off by the SCR combined authority is funding for £1.2m of transport improvements to support the proposed £37m leisure development adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park and expansion of the Vector 31 commercial development.

A £759,000 grant is to be matched with £384,000 from Rotherham Council for improvements to four existing junctions on the A618 and A57 network with traffic lights and extra lanes.

A bid for funding from Rotherham Council for its plans for a new £43.5m leisure development on Forge Island has been amended. The value for money indicators for a £1.5m grant have not been met but the money could still be forthcoming in the form of a bridging finance facility.

The upfront money is needed to acquire the site from Tesco, demolish the old supermarket and clear the site and enhance its attractiveness to future developers to deliver a leisure and cultural quarter (hotel, cinema plus A3 uses).

Further phases of the project include £6.1m of council investment in works relating to site remediation, flood issues and infrastructure works such as bridge repairs.

Phase 3 involves the procurement of a development partner to drive forward the development of the site for leisure and culture in partnership with the Council – including two adjacent sites for residential development. This will deliver 38 direct net jobs and six indirect net jobs.

The proposed £7m acquisition of the AMP Technology Centre is unlikely to be signed off by the end of January as due diligence on the Council's proposal continues.

Images: RNN Group / Bond Bryan

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News: Future phases for Vector 31

Hundreds of new jobs would be created if a successful Rotherham commercial development is extended into the Green Belt.

Network Space (formerly known as Langtree) has delivered over 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at its Vector 31 development at Waleswood. The first phase was fully occupied within 12 months of completion in 2008 and the total site was fully let a few years after. Occupiers include Hermes, Preformed Windings and CCPI-Europe.

Discussions are now ongoing with Rotherham Council through the authority's local plan examination on the potential for more phases at the site which is close to Junction 31 of the M1.

"Vector 31 West" could be created on a 8.8 Ha parcel of land to the north of Wales Bar on the west side of Mansfield Road (A618) that the developers want to see come forward for employment use. The site has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

An illustrative masterplan which demonstrates how the site could be developed shows that the site provides the opportunity to deliver approximately 215,000 sq ft gross of employment space.

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The Council has also proposed the release of nearby Green Belt land to the North of School Road / Off Waleswood Way behind the cricket pitch, and its allocation for use for business and industry.

Network Space is supporting this proposal and have outlined that further land could be released for employment use to create a 20.7 hectares site that is currently comprises agricultural land located between the M1, Waleswood industrial area, the railway line and woodland.

This proposal is complicated by the realigned route of HS2 which cuts through the site as it runs alongside the M1.

Property agents at Knight Frank, who are acting for Network Space, consider Vector 31 to be "one of the region's sought after industrial locations." Representations submitted as part of the local plan examination state: "Vector 31 is an ideal location for employment at Junction 31 of the M1 Motorway, accessed via the A57 dual carriageway, allowing the site to capture both local and regional requirements as well as national occupier requirements looking to enter into the area. They consider that the success of the location has been proved with the success of the initial phases at Vector 31."

Rotherham Council appears receptive to an extension to Vector 31. Plans are being progressed for £1.2m of transport improvements to support the proposed £37m leisure development adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park and new employment land. Council officers believe that job creation linked to Gulliver's Valley and Vector 31 is estimated at up to 850 new jobs.

Network Space is a commercial property investment, development and management group and following a restructure and rebranding in June 2015 the group has focused its operations on the industrial property market. Pre-tax profits for last year hit £19.2m, more than doubling the previous year's result.

Network Space website

Images: Network Space / Spawforths

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News: £1m Rother Valley road improvement plan

Plans are being progressed for £1.2m of transport improvements to support the proposed £37m leisure development adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park in Rotherham.

A planning application has recently been submitted by Gulliver's, the operators of theme parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes. Gulliver's Valley will be the first of their sites in the UK to encompass all their major family entertainment elements in one location with new attractions exclusive to Rotherham.

A number of comments on the application discuss the potential impact on the surrounding road network.

A highway scheme is being developed by Rotherham Council and funding is being sought. It includes improvements to four existing junctions on the A618 and A57 network with traffic lights and extra lanes.

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The overall site is approximately 98 hectares in area comprising the northern part of the Rother Valley Country Park known as Pit House West. 215,000 sq ft of buildings are proposed at Gulliver's Valley, including: Main Street featuring an indoor, year round attraction including a splash zone, interactive play areas and NERF zone; five key ride areas providing over 40 rides and attractions; three hotels; themed holiday lodges, themed leisure facilities; and a spa and fitness centre.

Also in the area, developer, Network Space is looking to expand its successful Vector 31 commercial development at Waleswood which already includes two phases and totals 164,260 sq ft of industrial/warehouse units.

Council officers believe that job creation linked to Gulliver's Valley and Vector 31 is estimated at up to 850 new jobs.

Gulliver's could create create around 400 jobs. The Vector 31 Business Park is committed to significant expansion that is expected to result in new jobs (estimated at between 350 and 600).

A £759,000 bid has been submitted to use unspent money via the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (CA).

Phase 1 works would need to be carried out by the end of March. Any further and later works in the area would have to be the subject of a further bid, or funded by other sources. The Council's cabinet is being asked to approve the use of £384,000 for Phase 2 from the £10m allocation for Highway Improvement Works, approved as part of the Capital Strategy.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Preformed Windings setting up for growth

Global manufacturing experts, Preformed Windings, the world's leading supplier of preformed coils, associated products and services, could more than double its staff numbers over the next three years from new premises at Waleswood in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in August that the Sheffield firm was planning to invest around £2m in new premises at the Vector 31 development.

Acquired by Clyde Blowers in July 2014, the firm has seen a tripling in demand for its precision high voltage coils. Clyde Blowers Capital is a mid-market investor in industrial businesses and has committed significant investment to grow the company as part of the Parson Peebles Group.

Exporting to OEMs, repairers and end users worldwide, customers of Preformed Windings are in the power generation, electrical machinery, general engineering, oil & gas, water, transport, chemical, paper, extraction and shipping industries.

Having taken on the new 17,300 sq ft unit in the Summer, the £3m-turnover business has been working on relocating its manufacturing facility from Hackenthorpe.

Plans have recently been submitted for an electrical substation, additional plant enclosures - to house chiller and air compressor units - and a storage container at Vector 31. The works are essential to the operation of the facility that is being "custom-fitted to provide the state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities required for the company's expansion."

Dave Hardy, operations manager at Preformed Windings, said: "The current manufacturing facilities are located in a residential area of Sheffield and are not suitable for extension or significant changes to layout to maximise productivity. Therefore a high priority following the company's acquisition by Parson Peebles has been to move to newer, larger and suitable premises for growth.

"To maximise the opportunity available, significant investment needs to be made in state-of-the-art production facilities and plant and machinery. The relocation and expansion of the company will also require strengthening of the management structure and an increase in production staff.

"Recruitment has been ongoing with significant gains in management, sales and production levels, and it is anticipated that the company workforce will increase from 30 staff to around 70 staff over the next three years."

Developed by Network Space (previously known as Langtree), Vector 31 has proved popular due to its close proximity to the M1. It was developed over two phases and totals over 162,000 sq ft of industrial/warehouse units. Occupiers include Hermes, Century Plastics, CCPI Europe and Suplex UK. The Sheffield office of Knight Frank has been agents for the scheme.

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News: Preformed Windings heading to Vector 31

Preformed Windings, a specialist in high quality coils for traction motors, high voltage motors and generators, is investing over £2m in a move to a new custom fitted facility, set to be at Waleswood in Rotherham.

The Sheffield firm was acquired by Clyde Blowers in July 2014 and has seen a tripling in demand for its precision high voltage coils. Clyde Blowers Capital is a mid-market investor in industrial businesses and has committed significant investment to grow the company.

Exporting to OEMs, repairers and end users worldwide, customers of Preformed Windings are in the power generation, electrical machinery, general engineering, oil & gas, water, transport, chemical, paper, extraction and shipping industries.

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The firm has recently applied for signage and new external stores at Unit C of the successful Vector 31 development that was developed close to Junction 31 of the M1 by the Langtree Group (now known as NetworkSpace).

The firm said: "The new facility is 90% larger than our current premises and will provide enough capacity for the next few years of anticipated growth. The new facility will be fitted with the latest cutting, straightening, looping, shaping and taping machines and has been designed using advanced value stream mapping and lean principles. This all adds up to a coil offering that's already industry leading getting even better in terms of quality, service and speed of production."

Dedicated areas for high voltage coils, traction coil production, upgraded test capability and the ability to super fast-track coil batches to meet high voltage machine rewinds will all feature in the new facility. Investment is also being made to strengthen the ERP and CAD capabilities as well as staff recruitment and development.

Preformed Windings website

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News: CCPI Europe acquires The Control Shop

CCPI-Europe Limited, a high tech industrial firm with a state of the art facility in Rotherham, has acquired The Control Shop Limited.

US-owned CCPI is a specialist in temperature calibration and manufacturing equipment that measures temperatures, used in a range of engineering and manufacturing activities. They include calibrating temperature-sensing cable used in testing Rolls-Royce jet engines.

The Control Shop is based in the West Midlands and has a strong reputation in the heat treatment, ferrous and non-ferrous sectors.

Keith Hicks, managing director at CCPI Europe, said: "We are delighted to welcome The Control Shop's customers to CCPI. This deal allows us to further build our presence in the marketplace."

Nigel Fonyodi, The Control Shop Limited's managing director, will take a role within CCPI Europe to share his expertise and enable a smooth transition for customers.

Taylor & Emmet LLP's Corporate team has advised CCPI-Europe Limited on the acquisition. Peter Crawford, partner at Taylor & Emmet, said: "CCPI is the ideal acquirer for The Control Shop. I am certain that the addition of this business to the CCPI fold will prove very successful."

The deal follows on from CCPI-Europe Limited's similar acquisition of Pyrometrics Limited in 2013.

With a £3m manufacturing, laboratory and research facility at Langtree's Vector 31 Business Park at Waleswood, CCPI manufactures mineral-insulated temperature sensors down to sizes as small as 0.5mm diameter. The UKAS-accredited laboratory conducts calibrations and calibrates sensors giving uncertainties of measurement as tiny as +/-0.004 deg C. Vital when the highest-quality measurements are required by CCPI customers manufacturing state-of-the-art aerospace components.

CCPI began in Blanchester, Ohio in 1957 and CCPI Europe was established by Fred Knight in 1984, because he believed the company had a future in the UK and Europe. So strong was his belief that he started a one-man operation in his garage. From that it has grown to employ more than 50 people.

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News: Langtree Group acquires Rotherham business centres

Langtree Group has acquired the Homes & Communities Agency's (HCA) 49 per cent share in its long-standing Network Space joint venture.

The business was established by the government's Coalfields Task Force in 1999 and now has more than three quarters of a million square feet of high quality industrial and commercial space under management.

The acquisitions include two in Rotherham: the Century Park Network Centre and Vector 31.

Century Park consists of 28 office and workspace units over two phases adjacent to RiDO's Century Business Centre at Manvers.

Vector 31 at Waleswood is part of a successful business park where 162,000 sq ft of industrial space has been created in a range of sizes.

Network Space owns 22 of the SME workspace estates and two business centres across the former coalfields of the north east, north west, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

John Downes, chief executive of the Langtree Group, said: "It's been a big success. Our original intention was to develop half a million square feet of space but the concept and the product have proven so popular that we’ve exceeded that by some margin.

"It was always the stated intention that we'd take full control once our development objectives had been met. The product will not change as it's popular and provides the right type of quality accommodation and lease arrangements for SMEs in the current market."

Neil Mortimer, team leader, land & regeneration at the HCA, added: "We are proud of the role Network Space has played in supporting our wider work with local partners to help regenerate former coalfield communities. Helping to restore jobs and promote business was always a priority for these areas and the vehicle has been successful in providing quality workspace."

Network Space website

HCA website

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News: Vector 31 is 100% let

The leasing of a 35,602 sq ft unit by delivery couriers, Hermes means that the Vector 31 Business Park in Rotherham is 100% occupied.

The UK's largest home delivery courier network, has taken the warehouse unit on a 10-year lease to handle new business growth and enhance the company's existing depot network.

Adam Leach, estates manager at Hermes said: "The unit has replaced an existing smaller depot in the region and was selected due to the facility's quality and layout as well as the ease of access to the motorway network. It will ensure we possess the necessary capacity within our network to achieve our future growth plans and are well prepared to handle high volumes during the forthcoming peak period."

Langtree has delivered over 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at this development, the first phase of which was fully occupied within 12 months of completion. This latest letting takes the whole site to 100% occupied.

Helen Gordon, senior property manager at Langtree, said: "We specialise in creating high quality units offering flexibility for manufacturing and distribution companies and Vector 31 offers one of the most modern environments available in the region."

The agent for Vector 31 at Waleswood, Rotherham, is Knight Frank's Sheffield office.

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News: Lee connects with IT specialist

Rotherham-based IT infrastructure specialist Connect-IP has appointed Lee Stokes as the company's new sales manager.

The 36-year-old from North Lincolnshire will be specifically responsible for developing new business within the construction sector.

Lee said: "My 20-year experience in network infrastructure working for installers, distributors and most recently a leading manufacturer, will be invaluable as I continue to raise the profile of Connect-IP's services and solutions within the construction community.

"Connect-IP has developed an excellent reputation for delivering quality systems and it's now time we started to tell everyone about our success. We are starting to see definite signs of activity in the construction market and I believe we are perfectly placed to exploit the potential of this."

Mark Richardson, director of Connect-IP, added: "The business is really starting to take shape now and attracting people of Lee's calibre is testament to the brand we are building. Lee's extensive experience and knowledge of the industry will be crucial as we move through a significant period of growth."

As well as the construction industry, Connect-IP provide infrastructure cabling, wireless, access control and IP surveillance support to a vast range of businesses, including the public and private sectors, finance, banking, education, local authorities and the police.

Based at Vector 31 at Waleswood, Connect-IP celebrated their fifth birthday last year. Since its launch the company has trebled turnover and increased staffing numbers from five to 60.

Connect-IP website

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News: Hermes open new Rotherham hub

Delivery couriers, Hermes has expanded into a site in Rotherham as a result of recent business growth.

With headquarters in Leeds, Hermes is the UK's largest home delivery courier network handling more than 115 million collections and deliveries per annum. They work with companies of all sizes, and in recent years has diversified from agency catalogue brands to work with leading high street, direct catalogue and online retailers in the UK including Next Directory, Readers Digest, Lakeland Limited and ASOS.

The company has taken a 35,600 sq ft warehouse at Vector 31 Business Park at Waleswood that will replace an existing smaller depot in the region. It was selected due to the facility's quality and layout as well as the ease of access to the M1 motorway network.

The move is part of three new sites designed to enable Hermes to deliver key service benefits to customers and support the company's growth strategy moving forward.

Carole Woodhead, CEO of Hermes in the UK said: "These latest improvements to our hub and depot infrastructure mean we possess the necessary capacity within our network to achieve our future growth plans and are well prepared to handle high volumes during the forthcoming peak period."

Hermes website

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