News: Mr Whippy preps new £15m Rotherham facility

The Mr Whippy food brand is making rapid progress in creating one of the UK’s most advanced luxury doughnut manufacturing facility, here in Rotherham.

A £15m manufacturing facility will enable the brand to introduce doughnuts to its sweet treats portfolio that already includes ice cream flavour cupcakes.

Mr Whippy signed a new lease last year for a 23,355 sq ft unit at Woodhouse Link, which is near Fence on the Rotherham side of the border with Sheffield. Unit 4 was previously used as a distribution hub by Amazon.

Specialist food production fit out was completed last month and went live with test doughnut production. The new facility uses end-to-end automation, modern layouts and direct distribution allowing Mr Whippy to manufacture, pack and dispatch under one roof.

As full production nears, it is expected that more than 50 new jobs will be created on site. A ten-strong senior team is already in place.

Michael Corrado Jackson, founder and CEO at Mr Whippy, told Food & Drink International: “A project of this calibre would normally take two to three years to realise, but we are here in just 13 months.

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“This new, amazing production site for Mr Whippy Doughnuts will allow us to get our extensive product range into stores and then homes, while staying true to quality, that will set us apart.

“The full factory test launch was a complete success and production will start later this year. This facility is a vital part of achieving our ambition to make superior products more accessible to people, and set the bar for product consistency, operational efficiency and food hygiene.”

Joe Sealey, chief revenue officer at Mr Whippy paid testament to the work that has gone in to, what the firm believes, is "one of the UK’s most advanced luxury doughnut manufacturing facilities."

He added: "This project has never just been about increasing sales. It’s been about challenging what’s possible in FMCG bakery manufacturing through innovation, automation and an unwavering commitment to quality."

The brand is not part of Wall's, the producers of the Mr Whippy soft ice cream mix used in ice cream vans and cafes, and overcame a legal challenge from parent company, Unilver, to use the Mr Whippy logo on other goods and services.

The Mr Whippy cupcakes launched in 2024 and are available in Iceland, Co-op, Home Bargains and Heron Foods stores.

Mr Whippy website

Images: Joe Sealey / instagram

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News: Food brand selects Rotherham for new £15m factory

The Mr Whippy food brand is expanding operations with a new manufacturing base in Rotherham.

A £15m manufacturing facility will enable the brand to introduce doughnuts to its sweet treats portfolio that already includes ice cream flavour cupcakes.

A new lease has been signed for a 23,355 sq ft unit at Woodhouse Link, which is near Fence on the Rotherham side of the border with Sheffield. Unit 4 was previously used as a distribution hub by Amazon.

50 new jobs are set to be created and recruitment is underway for donut makers with production set hit 104 million a year from 2026.

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Michael Corrado Jackson, company director at MJP Whippy Ltd, said: "This major investment is a crucial next step for the brand and its product expansion, and this site perfectly fitted our needs both on location, and for operational purposes being a modern, detached unit.

“We will be able to satisfy the requirements for specialist food production, automation processes, and then easy distribution of the product.

“The unit will be the manufacturing hub for the doughnut production, which will be fully launched next year and available from retailers.”

The site was marketed by Knight Frank and CPP on behalf of investment manager ESR.

Knight Frank partner Rebecca Schofield said: “This is a fantastic example of inward investment in the region to produce a brand-new facility and associated jobs in Sheffield, as part of an ambitious business expansion.

“The modern unit leant itself to becoming a state of the art food production facility and the location for distribution of the product is unparalleled.”

The brand is not part of Wall's, the producers of the Mr Whippy soft ice cream mix used in ice cream vans and cafes, and overcame a legal challenge from parent company, Unilver, to use the Mr Whippy logo on other goods and services.

The Mr Whippy cupcakes launched last year and are available in Iceland, Co-op, Home Bargains and Heron Foods stores.

The investment follows on from Mexican firm, Grupo Bimbo, selecting Rotherham as the location to switch production to the UK of its Takis brand of snacks.

Network Space brought forward 116,600 sq ft of prime industrial space across four high spec units at Woodhouse Link, building on the site of the former Laycast foundry that had been "sterilised" by previous HS2 proposals.

Mr Whippy website

Images: Network Space / Mr Whippy

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News: Deals secured at multimillion-pound Rotherham development

Network Space has secured two significant deals at its speculative multimillion-pound Woodhouse Link development in Rotherham.

116,600 sq ft of prime industrial space across four high specunits are being built on the site of the former Laycast foundry that had been "sterilised" by previous HS2 proposals.

The first unit, which provides 48,900 sq ft has been snapped up by global company, nVent, which acquired Eldon Holding AB and will move its main UK operations site accross the borough from Hellaby to Woodhouse Link.

An online retail giant has also agreed a deal for unit 4, where work is set to complete in February on the 23,200 sq ft warehouse with integral office.

As a result, only one unit now remains at Woodhouse Link following last year’s letting of unit 3 to BLE Smoke and Fire Curtains Ltd. It is expected that all of the units will be let pre-completion as the remaining unit 2, which offers 13,200 sq ft of warehouse space, is already under offer.

Local construction company, Harris CM, is currently on-site and all of the units will be ready for occupation in spring 2022 when Woodhouse Link will be capable of fostering some 200 new jobs.

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Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, explains: “Securing a further two significant deals at Woodhouse Link prior to its completion is testament to the quality of space and the great location close to the M1, Sheffield and Rotherham. This, combined with the 24/7 access and wide range of permitted uses has led to strong enquiry levels and the final unit is already under offer.”

Woodhouse Link lies close to junctions 31 and 33 of the M1, to the east of Sheffield and on the south side of Rotherham, within the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District and close to the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley.

The development has planning permission for 24/7 operation and is suitable for manufacturing or distribution uses. The detached and self-contained units all provide secure storage yards and parking, 8 to 10 metre high eaves, integral offices and are designed to a high sustainability standard, including EV charging points, and to a BREEAM Very Good rating.

Avison Young and CPP are responsible for marketing the site. Colliers advised nVent on the acquisition of the property.

Rob Oliver, principal from Avison Young said: “We were delighted to agree and complete lettings on Units 1 and 4 prior to practical completion, and to attract to the scheme both a leading online retailer, and the relocation of a well-known local occupier.

“We had received strong interest in both units from other occupiers, as we did for Unit 2, prior to agreeing terms on it with the chosen party. We look forward to seeing construction complete shortly, and the estate fully occupied and functioning in the next few months.”

Ed Norris, Director at CCP said: “The latest deals announced at Woodhouse confirm the quality of the location and building on offer. It is fantastic to conclude these deals prior to practical completion of the units and gives confidence to the region.”

The Woodhouse Link project team includes DLA Architecture, Spawforths planners, Tetra Tech and CJR Midlands M&E engineers, Walker Sime QS and project management and Gateley legal.

nVent website
Network Space website

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News: First deal secured at Rotherham industrial development

Network Space has secured its first letting at its speculative multimillion-pound Woodhouse Link development, close to M1 Junction 31.

BLE Smoke and Fire Curtains Ltd is taking the 31,200 sq ft Unit 3 on a 15-year lease. A second unit is also under offer.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on plans for the site of the former Laycast foundry that had been "sterilised" by previous HS2 proposals.

Local construction company Harris CM is onsite delivering 116,600 sq ft of prime industrial space across four high specification units. Ready for occupation in early 2022, Woodhouse Link will be capable of fostering approximately 200 new jobs.

BLE is part of the family owned Lowe & Fletcher Group. A global supplier, the company has designed, made, installed and maintained innovative, bespoke smoke and fire curtains for buildings for the last 40 years, providing life-saving protection for millions of people in commercial buildings, stations, airports and hospitals.

The expansion to Woodhouse Link reflects the continued growth of the company. Nigel Ward, Managing Director from BLE said: “This purpose build facility in such a great location will offer the company an exceptional base for our fast growing business.

“The integral office will be to headquarter standard, in keeping with our brand and helping us to add the best talent to our team. The flexible design and high sustainability standards are ideal for our needs.”

Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, explains: “Woodhouse Link is designed to meet the shortage of quality industrial space within the Sheffield City Region, where it is evident that new supply is struggling to keep pace with strong demand.

“We’ve already had a lot of interest in the development and we are delighted to welcome BLE as our first occupier. Woodhouse Link offers a great central location and with a further unit under offer and strong enquiry levels in the remaining space we could be fully let before this speculative development completes.”

Woodhouse Link lies close to junctions 31 and 33 of the M1, to the east of Sheffield and on the south side of Rotherham, within the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District and close to the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley.

The development has planning permission for 24/7 operation and is suitable for manufacturing or distribution uses. The detached and self-contained units all provide secure storage yards and parking, 8 to 10 metre high eaves, integral offices and are designed to a high sustainability standard, including EV charging points, and to a BREEAM Very Good rating.

With unit 3 now let and a further unit under offer, only units 1 and 2 remain available providing 48,900 sq ft and 13,200 sq ft respectively. Avison Young and CPP have been appointed to market the site.

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Toby Vernon, Director at CCP introduced the deal. He said: “Demand for quality units such as those at Woodhouse Link is going from strength to strength. We saw a record take up in 2020 and high demand for space has continued in 2021. Occupiers want modern, efficient buildings that will stand the test of time, which is one of the reasons demand is so high, evidenced by the letting to BLE.”

Rob Oliver, principal from Avison Young said: “We have always known this development will be well received by the occupational market, so we were delighted, but not surprised, to have two units under offer before speculative construction began.

“Well designed and highly specified they suit the demands and expectations of today’s occupiers who want accessible and cost effective premises which facilitate efficient operations, present the right impression to clients and the workforce and meet their environmental agenda.”

The project team includes DLA Architecture, Spawforths planners, Tetra Tech and CJR Midlands M&E engineers, Walker Sime QS and project management and Gateley legal.

It is being constructed by Yorkshire company, Harris CM. Jason Adlam, CEO at Harris CM, said: “This project is an impressive industrial development and we look forward to working with Network Space on our first contract together.

“The scheme demonstrates the importance of Sheffield’s industrial and manufacturing sectors and provides further opportunities for our workforce and supply chain, with a significant proportion being South Yorkshire based.”

BLE Smoke and Fire Curtains website
Network Space website

Images: BLE / Network Space

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News: Next phase of commercial developments in Rotherham

Two planning applications have been submitted for large scale commercial developments in Rotherham.

The last phase of new development at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) has been outlined in the latest plans from landowners and developers, Harworth Group plc, and in spearate plans, a resurrected site that was blighted by HS2 is back on track.

At the AMP - recognised as one of the leading and most innovative engineering, research and manufacturing communities - Harworth has identified that land to the south of Whittle Way and Highfield Spring could accomodate much sought after industrial units.

Around 18 acres, land which has previously been granted planning permission for business and industrial uses, could soon be home to a further 242,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace.

An indicative masterplan shows seven units, ranging in size from 16,500 sq ft to 85,000 sq ft, with access from Whittle Way.

The application, drawn up by Barton Wilmore and The Harris Partnership, states: "This Application Site forms the last piece of AMP expansion land and this outline application builds on the huge success of the AMP to date. It will enable more world class leaders in their fields of research, development and manufacturing to locate on the AMP.

"These exciting proposals will further enhance the AMP and will continue to assist in the economic development and regeneration of this area of the Borough."

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Also in the south of the borough, plans for the rest of the Woodhouse Link development have been updated.

"Sterilised" by previous HS2 proposals, the site of the former Laycast foundry, is now being spearheaded by Network Space Developments that previously submitted plans for four individual units, ranging from 15,800 sq ft to 48,900 sq ft.

The speculative development is being delivered in partnership with Rotherham Council and Sheffield city region (SCR) and the latest plans indicate that end users have now been identified.

Minor alterations have been approved that will allow developers to make changes to the 32,300 sq ft Unit 3 to meet a client’s requirement - window layouts and the types of loading bays required, and alterations to the configuration of the ancillary office space.

A further ammendment around total floorspace would provide greater flexibility for future amendments to the scheme.

The application from planning consultants, Spawforths, states: "The units were designed to be built speculatively and are now subject to strong market interest, with potential occupiers now identified. In order to meet the future operational needs of the occupier, a small number of non-material amendments were required to the approved scheme."

Harworth website
Network Space website

Images: Harworth / Harris / Network Space

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News: Strong interest expected for new Rotherham units

Network Space Developments is expecting strong interest for a new high-specification industrial warehouse development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month that a planning application has been submitted for the remaining land at Woodhouse Link which will comprise four individual units, ranging from 15,800 sq ft to 48,900 sq ft and is being delivered in partnership with Rotherham Council and Sheffield city region (SCR).

The units have each been designed to appeal to a wide range of logistics and industrial occupiers and will benefit from self-contained and segregated yards, generous office and car parking provision with 8 to 10m eaves heights and dock level doors on the two larger units.

The eight-acre site is situated within the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District, just minutes from the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and close to Junctions 31 and 33 of the M1.

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Stephen Barnes, managing director (development) at Network Space, said: "Although our intention is to build speculatively at Woodhouse Link, we expect interest to be strong due to the high quality of the units and the excellent strategic location of the site.

"We have worked closely with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Region to draw up plans for the site so that the development best suits the needs of the area and we anticipate that the range in unit sizes will appeal to a broad range of occupiers."

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said she was pleased to see yet another new development in the pipeline that would strengthen the commercial property offer in Rotherham.

"The AMP and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District continue to go from strength to strength," she said. "This is great news for Rotherham and the city region as we look to grow the local economy, employment opportunities and skills for our local residents."

If approved, the development would provide the opportunity for 150 new jobs.

Network Space website

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News: Woodhouse Link back on the market

The remainder of an employment site in Rotherham that was "sterilised" by HS2 proposals has been brought back to the market as the Government is minded to accept revised proposals that move the route through South Yorkshire.

Home Décor Innovations, one of the leading suppliers of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and associated storage systems in Europe, had only just opened its 110,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory at Woodhouse Link, when in 2013, HS2 announced that a route for the high speed line to a station at Meadowhall would cut straight through the site, which is just inside the Rotherham borough.

Developer Woodhouse Link LLP (a joint venture partnership with JF Finnegan and Laycast Ltd) undertook a complete demolition and remediation programme to facilitate a brand new industrial and distribution park on the site of a former foundry.

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Real estate adviser GVA has now been instructed to bring two remaining plots of land to the market which extend to around 2.98 and 5.26 acres. Outline permission was secured in 2009 for a mixed use development comprising A3/A4 (restaurant/pub), C1 (hotel), B1 (business), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) uses.

Rob Oliver, director at the Leeds office of GVA, said: "Woodhouse Link is a very well located employment site, and the two plots offer the opportunity to develop units of varying sizes.

"Frustratingly, development and marketing went on hold when this site was on the proposed HS2 route, but thankfully it now appears that the route has been moved east of our site.

"Despite not actively marketing the sites during this period, occupiers have regularly enquired after the site, but we have been unable to take those further.

"I am now in talks with a number of developers who are interested in the plots, and look forward to seeing the remainder of the scheme developed in due course."

Following a period of consultation, a final decision on the HS2 route through South Yorkshire is set to be made later this year.

Woodhouse Link website

Images: GVA

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News: Home Décor continues growth through acquisitions

Rotherham-based Home Décor, one of the leading suppliers of sliding door and interior solutions in Europe, has acquired Surrey-headquartered Optiplan Kitchens and Wiltshire-based Manor Cabinet Company.

Home Décor Innovations, whose parent company is part of the Cerberus investment group, has operating companies in the UK and Italy and manufacture over one million doors per year, supplying hardware to manufacture a further one million doors to strategic partners throughout the rest of Europe, The Middle East and Africa.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will see a £50m turnover business created with more than 350 staff.

The manufacturer made the move from Drakehouse in Sheffield to JF Finnegan's Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence, just over the Rotherham border, in 2013.

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Integrated into a new group, the business will be headed-up by Home Décor's existing chief executive Max Crosby-Browne. The growing firm bought Portico (Midlands) Ltd in 2014.

Paul Limbert, an Optiplan executive, will take the chief operating officer title for the company, whilst commercial director Mark Gledhill will become the sales and marketing director of the new kitchen business. Neil Martin joins the business as sales director for the expanded group.

Max Crosby-Browne, CEO at Home Décor, said: "This acquisition is a hugely exciting move for Home Decor and an important strategic step in achieving our growth plans. We will now have two distinct business units which together can offer customers a more integrated offering. The three businesses are a great fit in terms of culture, product offering and market sectors.

"Our focus is now on working in partnership with Optiplan and Manor's existing management teams to ensure a smooth integration over the coming weeks and months."

The acquisition was funded by investment from Home Decor's majority shareholder, Cerberus Capital Management, alongside a new funding package from HSBC. Home Decor's Head of acquisitions, Nick Clarke, with banking support from Chris Alsop, relationship director at HSBC Corporate Banking. Financial due diligence was undertaken by a team from BDO, led by Bob McDermott.

Home Décor website

Images: JF Finnegan

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News: Home Décor slides in on rival

Home Décor GB has completed its first acquisition since moving into a new state-of-the-art factory in Rotherham by purchasing rival, Portico (Midlands) Ltd.

Home Décor is one of the leading suppliers of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and associated storage systems in Europe and Portico is a supplier of similar products within the new build sector.

The deal was arranged after Home Décor secured multi-million pound funding facilities from Santander Corporate & Commercial. Funding for the acquisition was arranged by Duff & Phelps Debt Advisory.


With around 120 staff, Home Décor made the move last year from Drakehouse in Sheffield to a purpose built 110,000 sq ft factory at JF Finnegan's Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence.

Originally formed as Acmetrack in England in 1975, the business was acquired by The Stanley Works, Inc in 1987, and then subsequently sold in 2004, at which time it was renamed Home Décor GB Ltd.

The firm, whose parent company is part of the Cerberus investment group, currently manufactures over three hundred thousand doors per year, predominantly to the DIY and Builders Merchants sector, and supplies hardware to manufacture a further one million doors to its strategic partners throughout the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its products are available through major retailers including B&Q, Wickes, Focus and Homebase in Europe, and suppliers to the construction industry.

The strategic acquisition is expected to see the combined entity – to be branded Home Décor – to have annual sales reach £30m, up from £22m for the financial year 2013. Portico currently sells and supplies a range of similar products, including floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and storage systems into the new build sector and online, which opens up new delivery channels to Home Décor.

Max Crosby-Browne, CEO for Home Décor GB, said: "Home Décor has benefited from strong demand for its products and services both in the UK and in Europe, and I'm delighted that the company is able to make this strategically significant acquisition to capitalise on this momentum. We see strong opportunities for the business going forward, and continue to be very optimistic about our potential for growth."

Craig Williams, relationship director for Santander Corporate & Commercial, added: "Home Décor is one of the strongest businesses in its sector and I'm delighted that we have been able to support the company as it looks to take itself to the next level. We have been thoroughly impressed with the management team in Sheffield and look forward to a successful working relationship."

Home Décor website

Images: Home Décor

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News: High demand for grade A industrial space

Take-up of grade A industrial and logistics space across Yorkshire rose to 2.3m sq ft in 2012, almost double the amount acquired than the previous year, according to the latest research by commercial property experts, Lambert Smith Hampton.

31% of overall take-up was focussed on the high specification, grade A space but despite this, total take-up fell to 7.4m sq ft in 2012, a drop of 27% on the previous year and its lowest level since 2007.

However, only 8% of the stock now available on the market is grade A, which is largely comprised new build logistics units over (100,000 sq ft) across South Yorkshire, where there is currently an oversupply.

Robert Whatmuff, head of Industrial and Logistics in the North at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: "The lack of stock is holding back the market and occupiers of small and medium sized units are struggling to find any suitable space to accommodate their future plans. Occupiers now have very limited options, with no speculative development occurring over the last few years and the flight to prime mentality in terms of recent occupier requirements.

"This has left us with less than one months supply of small to medium grade A accommodation. In the larger size ranges this is less of an issue as there remains a strong supply of Grade A units over 100,000 sq ft, particularly in South Yorkshire. We have witnessed an increase in Design & Build from those occupiers with more bespoke requirements however, for the smaller occupier this is generally not an option that is palatable or deliverable.

"There is already a shortage of choice for occupiers and, due to the lack of speculative development, occupiers will struggle to find suitable properties either in terms of location or specification."

One significant Design & Build development in the region last year was the completion of the new home for Home Décor Innovations. The manufacturer has moved into a 110,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory at JF Finnegan's Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence in Rotherham.

Despite the 27% fall in take-up, the research showed that every major centre across Yorkshire registered growth in prime rental values, a trend expected to continue. In Rotherham prime rental values increased slightly to £5 per sq ft.

Lambert Smith Hampton website

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News: Henderson delivers a 150% return from innovative property transaction

A complex, and profitable, property transaction by Henderson Global Investors led to Home Décor’s relocation to Rotherham.

Home Décor Innovations, one of the leading suppliers of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and associated storage systems in Europe, recently opened its 110,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory at JF Finnegan's Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence.

In 2006, Henderson acquired the leasehold for an 88,000 sq ft warehouse on Beighton Road in Mosborough, Sheffield, which was let to Home Décor under a ten year lease from May 2006 for £5.7m.

Having identified the site as an opportune potential for supermarket development, Henderson acquired the freehold in 2010 in order to explore this opportunity. Terms were then agreed to sell the site to ASDA, subject to ASDA obtaining an outline planning consent for a food store and Henderson relocating the Home Décor business to a new site.

Terms were agreed to acquire the land at Fence and enter into a "turn-key" transaction with the landowner, Finnegan. The detailed specification was agreed to a very high standard.

Construction completed in November 2012 and lease terms for the new facility were duly agreed with Home Décor taking a new 15 year lease. In December 2012, following Home Décor’s relocation of its entire business operations, the Mosborough land was sold to ASDA for £16m, who will now develop a new 90,000 sq ft food store.

Cameron Fraser, director at Henderson Property said: "This complex project involved a number of parties, including the original freeholder, ASDA, Sheffield City Council, Home Décor, and Henderson, who were all required to work cohesively in order to achieve the end result.

"To achieve a change of use to a food store, to locate, and build a new industrial unit and to relocate our existing tenant on time and on budget is a real testament to the principle team across the project.

"Not only have we been able provide Home Décor with a brand new unit (including a category B fit out) which is more suitable for Home Décor's business growth ambitions, we have also paved the way for a new ASDA development which will deliver a number of employment opportunities to the local area. To deliver the project all the way through from a speculative and ambitious idea at the origin is truly satisfying."

Henderson was advised by Howlings Hodgson and Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).

Home Décor website
Henderson Global website

Images: Henderson Global

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News: Home Décor opens "dream" facility in Rotherham

Home Décor Innovations, one of the leading suppliers of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and associated storage systems in Europe, has opened its 110,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory in Rotherham.

With around 120 staff, the manufacturer has made the move from Drakehouse in Sheffield to JF Finnegan's Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence.

Developer Woodhouse Link LLP (a joint venture partnership with JF Finnegan and Laycast Ltd) has undertaken a complete demolition and remediation programme to facilitate a brand new industrial and distribution park.

A deal with Henderson Global Investors for the purchase and construction of the property has created 91,500 sq ft of high-tech workshop space in addition to 21,600 sq ft of offices/showroom space.

Max Crosby-Browne, CEO at Home Décor, said: "The new facility is 10% larger than our current site, it has been designed and purpose built to our exact specifications. We have worked very closely with our landlord in order to realise our dreams.

"The new site will provide us with the much needed space to effectively house our ever expanding business.

"The new site will see significant investment from the introduction of new plant, new manufacturing processes and flows, through to the introduction of a purpose built interactive showroom which will stylishly present our products. We hope that our investments for the future will not only help to increase our efficiency, but will also support our continued commitment to quality and Customer Support."

Home Décor Innovations, whose parent company is part of the Cerberus investment group, has operating companies in the UK and Italy and manufacture over one million doors per year, supplying hardware to manufacture a further one million doors to strategic partners throughout the rest of Europe, The Middle East and Africa.

Their products are available through major retailers including B&Q, Wickes, Focus and Homebase in Europe, and suppliers to the construction industry.

The current site in Sheffield is being sold to ASDA so they can develop a new superstore.

Home Décor Innovations website

Images: hdhc.com

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News: Knight Frank encouraged by Rotherham deals

South Yorkshire's logistics and industrial market saw an "encouraging" first half of the year – and the forecast is looking promising for the rest of 2012, according to research by commercial property experts, Knight Frank.

For units in excess of 50,000 sq ft, the market saw take-up of 835,200 sq ft in from January to June - almost on a par with the full year total for 2011.

Key transactions included Next taking 263,000 sq ft in Doncaster to accompany their massive Manvers operation and Home Décor taking 110,000 sq ft at Woodhouse Link in Rotherham.

Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank, said: "The results for the first half of the year have been encouraging. As recent pre-lets such as Home Décor at Woodhouse Link demonstrate, occupiers are now pursuing design and build to satisfy their requirements.

"In broad terms, however, design and build remains uncompetitive in the region as favourable terms are on offer on standing stock, particularly in premises of 150,000 sq ft plus."

Knight Frank also welcomed the news that world-renowned engineers, Rolls-Royce has begun the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Rebecca added: "As well as creating 150 jobs on the site, the development is also likely to start to generate activity in the local supply chains and we can expect this to manifest itself in property market activity.

"Rolls Royce's commitment to the area is very positive as it demonstrates the region's growing capability as a centre for advanced manufacturing.

"Over the next three to five years, it is hoped that the Enterprise Zone will help to capitalise on this growing strength by securing a mix of international manufacturers through incentives such as business rates relief and enhanced capital allowances.

"There are also currently a number of buildings under offer from a broad range of sectors, including distribution, manufacturing and recycling, suggesting that the solid activity witnessed in this first half of the year is likely to be repeated in the second."

Prime headline rents in Rotherham are expected to remain the same at £4.75 per sq ft for lettings of up to 50,000 sq ft and £4.50 for lettings above 50,000 sq ft.

Knight Frank website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Work begins on Home Décor's Rotherham facility

Work has begun on the 110,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory for Sheffield-based Home Décor on the Woodhouse Link development in Rotherham.

As revealed on Rothbiz last year, Home Décor Innovations, one of the leading suppliers of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and associated storage systems in Europe, is set to expand into new premises in Rotherham.

The developers, JF Finnegan has now completed a deal with Henderson Global Investors for the purchase and construction of the property which is on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence.

The site was vacated by Laycast after their operations closed in 2006 and from 2008 onwards developer Woodhouse Link LLP (a joint venture partnership with JF Finnegan and Laycast Ltd) has undertaken a complete demolition and remediation programme to facilitate a brand new industrial and distribution park.

Home Décor is relocating from its current base at Drakehouse in Sheffield to the new facility which will offer 91,500 sq ft of high-tech workshop space in addition to 21,600 sq ft of offices/showroom space. JF Finnegan will start on site this month, utilising its extensive design and build capabilities to create the new premises which will be completed in December 2012.

The current site in Sheffield is being sold to ASDA so they can develop a new superstore.

Nick Gillott, director at JF Finnegan, said: "To have secured an agreement with a global investor and a local tenant as the first occupier at this exciting scheme is fantastic news for all parties involved as well as the local area which will benefit from the revival of the redundant site. This takes us a step closer to realising our goal of transforming the site into a major business and industrial hub which will create employment opportunities and attract inward investment into the area."

The company was renamed in 2004 when the the senior managers of the mirrored door division of Stanley Tools acquired the business in the USA.

Now part of the Canadian Renin Corporation and with a turnover of £22.9m for 2010, Home Décor has operating companies in the UK and Italy. They manufacture over one million doors per year, and supply hardware to manufacture a further one million doors to strategic partners throughout the rest of Europe, The Middle East and Africa.

Their products are available through major retailers including B&Q, Wickes, Focus and Homebase in Europe, and suppliers to the construction industry.

Max Crosby-Browne, CEO of Home Décor, said: "The new premises will match our growth ambitions as a business and it's a great location for our existing employees in the Sheffield area."

With 120 staff, Home Décor expects that the move can significantly increase turnover and the number of employees in the next five years.

Nigel Howard, head of Real Estate at DLA Piper in Sheffield, advised J F Finnegan on the project. He said: "Commercial development remains a rare occurrence in the current market so it is particularly satisfying to see this agreement come to fruition and for work to start on site. The area has been ripe for redevelopment for a number of years and, thanks to its location and scale, lends itself perfectly to a number of occupiers. A stone's throw from the M1 and able to offer all the space it needs, it is the ideal development for Home Décor Innovations."

Home Décor website

Images: JF Finnegan

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News: Developers look to Europe to fund speculative development in Rotherham

Local developers are looking to secure European funding to enable speculative developments in Rotherham to progress.

JF Finnegan has submitted an outline business plan to Yorkshire Forward in a bid to secure £1.8m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as gap funding to create an Advanced Engineering Park at the former Laycast foundry site at Fence.

Matched with £2.8m of private sector money, the developers would create 4,645 sq m of high quality, specialist business space for the advanced engineering and materials sector.

This would be the first phase of a £20m, 13,000 sq m development, set to be called Woodhouse Link, that has already secured outline planning permission and could create 450 jobs.

The plan states that: "The Advanced Engineering Park is required to enable Rotherham to attract investment in the advanced engineering and environmental technologies sectors, particularly those companies that have affinity to and are part of the supply chain to the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Park but cannot be accommodated on the AMP."

Although a speculative development, the business plan hints of two potential prelets that cannot be disclosed.

Across Rotherham, at Parkgate, Henry Boot are hoping to secure £1.09m of ERDF to create Northfield's Advanced Industrial Park.

The £3.3m project outlines plans to create three units totalling 4,000 sq m which could create up to 175 jobs.

The use of Eurpean funding would address the market failure and the lack of speculative development coming forward in the near future. Henry Boot states that there is still a demand from SMEs in growth sectors looking for high quality units.

JF Finnegan website
Henry Boot website
Yorkshire Forward ERDF website

Images: henrybootdevelopments.co.uk

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