News: Building work starts for newest resident at the AMP in Rotherham

Building work has begun on a new research and development centre for a world-leading engineering firm at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Last year Rothbiz reported on planning approval for a purpose built unit between Brunel Way and the Parkway for Vulcan Engineering Ltd.

Currently based in Sheffield, Vulcan Engineering Limited specialises in the production of mechanical seals and encapsulated ‘o’-rings. The company has a global presence and is an established world leader in the development and manufacture of high purity, composite encapsulated seals that fulfil a demand in the market where an engineering polymer is either not available or is extremely cost prohibitive.

Caddick Construction has commenced work to build ‘Project Vulcan Seals’ - a £9.4m contract to create a new 52,000 sq ft testing, manufacturing and distribution development, facilitating the relocation.

Representing Vulcan Seals’ investment to create jobs and drive innovation, Project Vulcan Seals will expand the firm’s development and manufacturing of high purity, composite encapsulated seals to serve global demand.

The new development will have a focus on inspiring the next generation of engineers and the promotion of green technology, and is set to become a centre for high quality research at Harworth’s Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The park is currently home to approximately 100 companies, including Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren Automotive alongside the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

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The new contract builds on Caddick’s portfolio of high profile advanced manufacturing developments. This also includes Schneider Electric’s £42m Net Zero facility in Scarborough, which was delivered in partnership with sister company, Caddick Developments.

Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East, said: “Project Vulcan Seals represents a significant milestone for Rotherham and the wider Yorkshire region as it grows in prominence as the home of advancing innovation and technical excellence. We are very excited to be working on behalf of Vulcan Seals to ensure their relocation and expansion plans deliver a state-of-the-art facility that enables world leading engineering.”

Gerard Quinn, Vulcan Seals Founder and Chairman of the Board, added: “Vulcan Seals were founded in Sheffield nearly 40 years ago and have evolved into a global manufacturer and supplier of Mechanical Seals and Encapsulated O-rings, with distributors in over 100 countries. Our new global headquarters and manufacturing facilities represent the next phase of that journey, with the aim of strengthening our capabilities, expanding our capacity and reinforcing the quality, consistency and responsiveness our customers rely on worldwide.

“Constructed to adhere to the exacting benchmark of the BREEAM Excellent Standard, with the support of our investors, this strategic investment will fuel sustained growth, generate additional local employment opportunities, and deliver long-term benefits to the region.”

Vulcan Seals
Caddick Construction website

Images: Caddick / Jefferson Shead Architects

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News: Progress for latest firms expanding onto the AMP in Rotherham

Steelwork erection has completed at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham on the new development for Technicut, the global leader in solid rotary cutting tools for the aerospace industry.

Rothbiz reported last year on plans for a purpose built unit for Technicut to go alongside McLaren.

Construction firm, Britcon, has been appointed to work alongside The Harris Partnership on a 86,800 sq ft warehouse and progress is being made.

The value of this contract is £9m with an anticipated end date of March 2025. Britcon is aiming to achieve a BREEAM status of Excellent for the dedicated building comprising a mix of production, lab, office and meeting room space.

The new location will enable the company to remain local to its origins whilst providing the space it needs to further grow the business.

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Also at AMP, a planning application has been approved for a purpose built unit between Brunel Way and the Parkway for Vulcan Engineering Ltd.

Currently based in Sheffield, Vulcan Engineering Limited is part of the wider AES group and specialises in the production of mechanical seals and encapsulated ‘o’-rings. The company has a global presence and is an established world leader in the development and manufacture of high purity, composite encapsulated seals that fulfil a demand in the market where an engineering polymer is either not available or is extremely cost prohibitive.

Having doubled their turnover in the last five years from £15m to £30m as a Group on sealing products, the move is part of expansion plans where turnover is forecasted to increase to £60m within the next five years.

At 52,000 sq ft, the new development would create 110 jobs.

Also fronting the Parkway, work is closer to completion on a new headquarters for global steel business Danieli. The Italian-based group – which has annual revenues of £3.6bn and designs, builds and installs low emission plants for the steel industry worldwide as well as producing quality special steels – commissioned a 47,000 sq ft head office, research and distribution facility having outgrown its site at Templeborough.

Units 8, 9 and 11 on the AMP have also been completed. Landowner and developer Harworth Group has already confirmed that 60% are now let with the remaining entering negotiations.

Calibre Scientific UK and Insight Direct UK are two of the companies expanding at the AMP.

AMP website

Images: Britcon / Harris Partnership

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News: World-leading engineering firm planning to expand at Rotherham's AMP

Another world-leading engineering firm has set out plans that would enable it to move from Sheffield to Rotherham as part of an expansion that aims to create jobs and drive innovation.

A planning application has recently been submitted for a purpose built unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham that would be occupied by Vulcan Engineering Ltd.

Currently based in Sheffield, Vulcan Engineering Limited specialises in the production of mechanical seals and encapsulated ‘o’-rings. The company has a global presence and is an established world leader in the development and manufacture of high purity, composite encapsulated seals that fulfil a demand in the market where an engineering polymer is either not available or is extremely cost prohibitive.

Having doubled their turnover in the last five years from £15m to £30m as a Group on sealing products, the move is part of expansion plans where turnover is forecasted to increase to £60m within the next five years.

The application comprises the development of a new advanced manufacturing and distribution facility, including high-quality research and development offering.

At 52,000 sq ft the unit would include a work area/store on the ground floor, manufacturing on the second floor and supporting research and development functions on each floor.

Plans show that, if approved, the new development would create 110 jobs.

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Previously known as Plot 1, the site is alongside Rolls-Royce, Castings Technology and X-Cel Superturn. Applicants say that the proposals "build upon the long-standing success of the AMP, accord with the established uses and type of operators within the locality, representing an infill development within the surrounding built form."

The application submitted by consultants, Stantec, states: "As a result of the applicant’s global client base and specialist research and manufacturing discipline, the proposals would be a clear fit and continuation of the aspirations for the AMP.

"Vulcan Seals Group comprises four businesses focusing on High Technology sealing solutions, working in a variety of sectors, including aeronautical, automotive, medical, industrial processes, pharmaceutical, bio-reactors, semi-conductor industry and water.

"The proposed development will replace the existing UK based headquarters building [near Millhouses]. At this location, Vulcan Engineering will be focused on developing new products and enhanced manufacturing processes. Vulcan Engineering develops its own machinery for the manufacture of products to serve their markets with production taking place in the UK, USA and India. Future developments will include a manufacturing site based in Singapore. All operations are managed from the UK Head Office."

Rothbiz reported in May on plans for a 51,000 sq ft facility on the AMP that would house the UK headquarters and laboratory for Italian firm, Danieli.

The AMP was recently confirmed at the heart of a new South Yorkshire Investment Zone, the first in the UK.

Vulcan Engineering website

Images: Jefferson Shead Architects

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