News: JELD-WEN announce plans to relocate UK facility

JELD-WEN, a major UK door manufacturer with a facility in Rotherham, has announced plans to move to a new state-of-the-art facility to support its continued growth.

JELD-WEN is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of quality timber windows, external and internal doors, patio doors and stairs. It employs hundreds at the JELD- WEN UK production facilities at Woodhouse Mill, just inside the Rotherham border.

Having invested millions of pounds in production equipment over the last decade, the firm appears to have outgrown the Retford Road site and has signed a lease for Unit 3A, a new 294,000 sq ft state-of-the-art industrial and logistics facility at PLP Bessemer Park in Sheffield.

The company said that the new facility will allow it to obtain operational efficiencies in a modern, sustainable base, supporting its continued growth in the UK.

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Dom Gaffey, Vice President and General Manager, JELD-WEN UK, said “Securing this facility at PLP Bessemer Park is an important milestone for JELD-WEN UK. While the timeline for the relocation is still being finalised, this investment demonstrates a clear commitment to investing in the UK market, how we serve our customers, and how we continue to operate responsibly as an employer and community partner. The focus remains on sustaining the strong relationships JELD-WEN UK has with its customers and partners throughout this process.”

Bringing the development to 100% occupancy, this lease marks the final chapter in a series of successful lettings at Bessemer Park in Tinsley, all secured with blue-chip occupiers and with a strong emphasis on the manufacturing and advanced engineering sectors.

Hugh Chesterton, Development Director at PLP, commented: “PLP has taken a former steelworks brownfield and created a commercial park fit for ‘next generation’ manufacturing and logistics occupiers. We’re proud to welcome JELD-WEN to PLP Bessemer Park and to have completed this flagship regeneration project at full occupancy. The calibre of tenants we’ve attracted—each a blue-chip business with a strong manufacturing footprint—underscores the enduring appeal of Sheffield as a location for forward-looking industrial operations.”

Knight Frank, CBRE and CPP represented PLP. JELD-WEN UK were represented by JLL.

Founded in 1960, JELD-WEN has its global headquarters in Oregan, USA. It employs approximately 16,000 people across North America and Europe.

JELD-WEN UK website

Images: PLP

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News: Planning consent for M18 development

Stretton Property Group has successfully secured outline planning consent for over 720,000 sq ft of prime industrial opportunities at Interchange Park, J1 of the M18 in Rotherham. The development has the capacity to create over 1,000 regional jobs.

Rothbiz reported last month that the plans were set for approval after information regarding the transport impact and access was updated.

The planning consent granted to Stretton Property Group from Rotherham Council will bring forward a new logistics warehouse development to address chronic regional shortages of prime, Grade A industrial accommodation to meet the continued high levels of demand across the sector. Stretton has appointed the industrial agency teams at CBRE and M1 to market the scheme.

The 40 acre Cumwell Lane site, located strategically at the tip of the M1/M18 triangle, has outline planning consent to deliver up to 720,000 sq ft of B2, B8 and E(g) employment space. The scheme can accommodate a range of Grade A industrial warehouse unit sizes, suitable to a variety of occupiers. The units will be designed to incorporate office accommodation and extensive parking.

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Agents say that the development comes at a time where there is an acute lack of supply across the region and as a result, the scheme is expected to attract a mix of regional and national occupiers looking to be strategically located within Yorkshire.

Edward Chantler, Group CEO at Stretton Property Group, said; "We are delighted to have secured consent to unlock this strategic, job creating site and to facilitate the delivery of much needed stock for the Yorkshire industrial market. The regional logistics sector continues to go from strength to strength and we are pleased to bring Interchange Park to the market to deliver a range of opportunities for occupiers in South Yorkshire."

Mike Baugh, senior director of industrial agency at CBRE, added: "It's fantastic news that Stretton Property Group has secured outline planning for Interchange Park. Yorkshire will represent around 30% of all the UK logistics take-up this year due to its appeal to a wide range of occupiers. As a result, we are experiencing severe shortages of big box supply in the region and Interchange Park is hitting the market at the right time to satisfy occupier demand. The site's key location and the potential range of accommodation opportunities make the development an excellent choice for a wide variety of occupiers."

Interchange Park website

Images: Stretton / CBRE

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News: Deal closed for industrial door specialist at Rotherham

Complete Shutter Services Ltd are set to open a new base in Rotherham having taken a unit at Hellaby.

Acting on behalf of Pullans, the Industrial team at CBRE in Leeds, jointly with Knight Frank Sheffield have completed the letting of a fully refurbished warehouse on Kea Park industrial estate.

Nationwide industrial door specialist, Complete Shutter Services Ltd has taken Unit 4, a 11,000 sq ft detached, modern warehouse on a new ten year lease. The unit includes two-storey office accommodation, as well as a secure yard area and 25 car parking spaces on the well-established Hellaby industrial estate.

Based out of Sheffield for 30 years with a site in London, the company designs, manufactures, installs and services door systems for clients including M&S, Homebase, BP, Shell, The Co-op & Decathlon. The new Rotherham unit supports the company’s continued growth plans.

Paul Quealey, managing director at CSS Ltd, said: "The unit was refurbed to a high standard and Pullans were very easy to deal with. The location for us being a national contractor is ideal with the motorway links and travel to our other unit in Harlow, Essex is now easier. The layout of the unit is perfect for our investment in a new production facility which should be up and running by Christmas. We look forward to working with Pullans going forward."

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The landlord has also fully renovated the adjacent unit 3, a 16,000 sq ft warehouse on Kea Park, Hellaby industrial estate, which is available for immediate occupation.

Situated on Kea Park Close, the unit has excellent motorway connectivity, provided via Junction 1 of the nearby M18, which in turn connects to the M1 at J32. Rotherham town centre is just 5 miles to the west and Sheffield city centre is circa 9 miles to the south west.

Sophie Angus, associate director at CBRE Leeds, said: "Despite the pandemic, the industrial market has been robust in South Yorkshire. We are delighted to complete this deal with a well-established and growing local enterprise. The revamped space is very appealing to occupiers who remain interested in the region, given its strong fundamentals with excellent connectivity to the road network, ports and accessibly to the nearby available workforce."

Bruce Strachan, property director at Pullans, added: "We are very pleased to play our part in helping CSS with their expansion plans. They have been very professional throughout the process and we wish them every success going forward."

CSS Ltd website

Images: CBRE

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News: Massive M18 development set for planning approval

Outline plans for a large distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham are being recomended for approval.

Applicants believe that, if approved, "Interchange Park" could be home to over 1,000 jobs.

A number of objections have been received against the new use for the former greenbelt land.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that plans were being drafted for 16 hectares of agricultural land at Cumwell Lane, Hellaby, near J1 of the M18. Applications for residential development were refused planning permission in the 1960s and early 1970s.

The application from Stretton Denman Ltd is due to be discussed at the next meeting of Rotherham Council's planning board and updated information regarding the transport impact and access seems to have appeased council officers and Highways England.

The scheme is for 722,000 sq ft of new employment floorspace (Class B1b&c/B2 and B8) and up to 54,000 sq ft of ancillary office use floorspace (Class B1a), along with an HGV fuelling station and lorry washing facilities.

There is no end user identifield but the plans state that: "Based on the maximum capacity of the proposed development, the proposals have the potential to deliver 1,119 full time equivalent employment opportunities."

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Earlier this year, the applicants submitted further details explaining that: "There has been extensive dialogue with both Highways England (HE) and Rotherham Council's Transportation Team regarding both Highway capacity and Site Access Strategy. Further to considerable discussions with both parties, agreement has now been reached regarding Highway capacity and the Site Access Strategy."

The planned improvement scheme would allow for a right turn into Cumwell Lane from Bawtry Road (travelling in an easterly direction from the M18), this would be via a dedicated lane with two lanes alongside this lane allowing for traffic to move straight ahead only to the roundabout.

Travelling in a westerly direction on Bawtry Road, Cumwell Lane will be accessed from the nearside lane which allows for vehicles turning to the left or continuing straight ahead to the M18.

In terms of exiting Cumwell Lane to Bawtry Road, vehicles will only be able to turn left. A traffic island will prevent any unauthorised movements.

Some road marking alterations are planned at the M18 junction in a bid to reduce delays.

Letters of objection were received from the occupiers of 207 properties along with objections from Hellaby and Bramley Parish Councils, Maltby Town Council, Bramley Action Group, and local MP, Alexander Stafford.

Issues mainly relate to traffic impact and the use of (now, no longer) greenbelt land.

Planners admit that "the highway impact of the development is significant and requires mitigation and sustainable transport measures" but conclude that the proposed conditions such as the traffic scheme and new footways and cycleways on Sandy Lane, mean that the plans should be approved.

The planning board is due to discuss the proposals on November 26.

Images: Stretton / CBRE / M1

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News: Dinnington DHL deal done, developers delighted

Trebor Developments and partner, Hillwood, have confirmed that they have agreed terms with DHL Parcel UK Limited for the letting of the whole of its "Atomic" development in Rotherham.

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL Parcel UK is the rebranded UK Mail business that was acquired by Deutsche Post DHL Group in 2016.

Trebor Developments took the remaining 5.5 acres of the former Dinnington colliery site and built a speculative development with the potential to be used for B8 use (storage and distribution) or B2 general industrial use.

The 78,458 sq ft unit will be occupied by DHL for their new parcel distribution facility to serve the locality.

The conclusion of the transaction represents another major transaction by Trebor Developments during the Covid-19 Lockdown Period and supports DHL Parcels continuing UK expansion plans.

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Bob Tattrie, managing partner Trebor Developments, said: "We are delighted to welcome DHL Parcel to "Atomic", which delivers our normal high quality building design with flexibility to meet DHL's specific requirements. Following a period of strong interest in the building post completion on site, we are pleased to conclude terms in a very short period. This builds on a number of major transactions we have concluded during the Covid-19 lockdown period."

Trebor/Hillwood were represented by Knight Frank, Commercial Property Partners (CPP) and CBRE. DHL Parcel UK Limited dealt with the transaction internally.

The delivery firm's fist Rotherham depot is at Templeborough where UK Mail relocated their South Yorkshire operation from Hellaby in 2011.

DHL website
Trebor Developments website

Images: Trebor

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News: DHL planning second Rotherham depot

DHL Parcel UK looks to have wrapped up a deal to take on a large speculatively-built commercial unit in the south of Rotherham.

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL Parcel UK is the rebranded UK Mail business that was acquired by Deutsche Post DHL Group in 2016. The UK arm has a national network of more than 50 sites and 2,000 vehicles and last year announced plans to invest £6.7m in an upgrade to its fleet of trucks and trailers to gain additional handling capacity to support future growth.

The firm has now submitted a planning application for new signage for a new 78,458 sq ft unit built in Dinnington.

The project, called Atomic 31, has seen Trebor Developments, working in conjunction with its partner Hillwood, deliver a single unit on the remaining land at the former Dinnington Colliery.

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St Paul's Developments plc and The Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) completed a development agreement in 2014 to bring the second phase of the former Dinnington Colliery site forward for development after the success of Phase 1 which was developed and sold off in the mid to late 2000's by the then regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

Trebor Developments took the remaining 5.5 acres and built a speculative development with the potential to be used for B8 use (storage and distribution) or B2 general industrial use. It is being marketed by Knight Frank, CPP and CBRE.

DHL has also applied for an licence to operate 15 trucks from the site.

The delivery firm's fist Rotherham depot is at Templeborough where UK Mail relocated their South Yorkshire operation from Hellaby in 2011.

The sinking of Dinnington Colliery began in 1902 and coal started to be raised in 1905. By 1911 the colliery was providing employment for 2,000 people. It closed in 1992 resulting in 1,000 job losses. The HCA estimated that a regenerated site could create 2,400 new jobs.

DHL Parcel UK website

Images: DHL / Lakeside Signs

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News: Pricecheck take on more warehouse space in Rotherham

Pricecheck has recently doubled its warehouse capacity after leasing an additional site to cope with demand.

Pricecheck is a leading supplier of international branded consumer goods, working predominately in the health and beauty sector, dealing with discounted clearance stock.

The deal, brokered by joint letting agents, Knight Frank and CBRE, sees Pricecheck take a lease of the 197,425 sq ft former Maplin building on Brookfields Park in Manvers.

The additional space means Pricecheck now occupies 378,000 sq ft across two sites which includes offices and mezzanine storage, giving the capacity for 32,000 pallets.

The expansion will see some existing employees relocate as the new site gets up and running and over time will create more than 100 new jobs.

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Mark Lythe, joint managing director (operations & finance) said: “We have ambitious growth targets and will continue to invest in all areas of the business to ensure we remain on track to achieve those.

“The expansion of our warehouse capacity is in line with our strategic plans for the next five years as we target a turnover of £200m by 2025. Despite the challenges of Coronavirus, we remain very confident about the long-term prospects for our business.”

Officially opened in 2016, the ambitious firm moved to new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham where an annual turnover of £73m was reported for the 2017-18 financial year – representing an increase of £18.1m on the previous year.

For Maplin, however, the Manvers-based electronics retailer saw a slowdown in sales and declining profits and the firm plunged into administration in February 2018.

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

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News: Final land sale at Rotherham colliery site

All 35 acres of remaining developable land at the former Dinnington colliery site in Rotherham have been sold.

St Paul's Developments plc and The Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) completed a development agreement in 2014 to bring the second phase of the former Dinnington Colliery site forward for development after the success of Phase 1 which was developed and sold off in the mid to late 2000's by the then regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

In the last 12 months, all 35 acres of development land have been sold in a series of land sales as a result of high demand for strategically located development land in the South Yorkshire region.

19 acres of land was sold in two separate transactions in May and November of 2018 to E V Waddington to speculatively build create small to medium industrial units. In July 2018, a further nine acres was sold to United Caps for construction of a purpose built multi-million pound manufacturing facility for which planning consent has been granted, initially for a 54,000 sq ft unit with an option to expand to some 215,000 sq ft over further phases.

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The most recent land sale was to Trebor Developments who took the remaining 5.5 acres for a 78,450 sq ft speculative warehouse development, completing the scheme.

Joint agents were CBRE and CPP.

When fully developed the 31 East site will accommodate a mix of over 450,000 sq ft of manufacturing, industrial and warehouse space. The vast majority will be constructed speculatively and represents a huge private sector investment in the area.

David Newton, managing director of St Paul's Developments, said: "To have concluded the regeneration of this significant former colliery site is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the demand for immediately available industrial development land in South Yorkshire.

"As part of our development agreement we could have developed out the land or sold it in parcels and due to the levels of demand we received, the land sales were the natural route. Having played a role in the long-term regeneration of many key sites in South Yorkshire, we are delighted to have facilitated more employment space and job creation within the region."

Mike Baugh, senior director of industrial agency at CBRE, added: "The 31 East scheme has been a huge success and the sale of all 35 acres of land within a 12 month period is testament to the site's key positioning and infrastructure as well as the benefits of its EZ status. Good quality accessible land is currently in short supply within South Yorkshire, so we are seeing an increase in demand for sites of this nature by occupiers seeking to develop out their own facilities."

The sinking of Dinnington Colliery began in 1902 and coal started to be raised in 1905. By 1911 the colliery was providing employment for 2,000 people. It closed in 1992 resulting in 1,000 job losses. The HCA estimated that a regenerated site could create 2,400 new jobs.

St Paul's website

Images: CBRE

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News: Pension fund to invest in South Yorkshire

The South Yorkshire Pension Fund (SYPF) has allocated £80m for regional investment in South Yorkshire.

This funding line will support the ongoing economic growth of the region and will work alongside the SCR JESSICA Fund, increasing regional development funding for the Sheffield city region to over £120m.

Managed by experts at CBRE, JESSICA is a financial engineering mechanism used to create a revolving fund that could be used for regeneration projects such as the creation of new commercial floorspace, brownfield redevelopment or investment in infrastructure.

CBRE's Investment Advisory team, part of CBRE Capital Advisors, has now been appointed to manage the pension fund and will originate and advise on all investments, expanding their existing remit managing the SCR Jessica fund.

The two funds will operate independently from each other, with the South Yorkshire Pension Fund having complete autonomy over investment decisions. However, opportunities to make strategic joint investments will be a focus and will enable investments into larger scale projects as well as into alternative sectors, including residential and leisure.

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Will Church, senior director at CBRE Capital Advisors, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to manage The South Yorkshire Pension Fund’s regional investment allocation. This will complement our ongoing work with the SCR Jessica Fund and enable us to develop a strategic investment plan that will maximise socio-economic growth in the wider region."

Recommended reading: Frozen Pension Payments Prevent State Pensioners from Receiving Increases

Councillor Sue Ellis, Chair of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, added: "We are pleased to be working with CBRE to achieve financial returns for our scheme members while at the same time supporting delivery of investment in communities across South Yorkshire. This is an example of an area where we can achieve the commercial return we need to pay pensions at the same time as ensuring the delivery of schemes which will improve the long term prospects of the local economy."

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The JESSICA fund supports job-creating commercial property schemes through grants and loans. It has been used to kickstart Rotherham developments on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and at Beighton Link.

John Mothersole, Chair of the JESSICA Investment Board, said: "The commitment by the SYPA to invest alongside, albeit independently from, the SCR JESSICA Fund in the South Yorkshire economy is really welcome. Not only does it demonstrate a ringing endorsement of the work undertaken by the SCR JESSICA to date it also creates more opportunity for investment in the wider South Yorkshire property market, including areas such as residential, where the JESSICA has some limitations. Working with CBRE I am sure both Funds will be able to stimulate further economic growth in our region."

CBRE website

Images: JF Finnegan

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News: Inside Maplin's massive empty warehouse

It served over 200 stores and thousands of online customers with 44,000 different gadgets and electronic products, but now the former Maplin warehouse in Rotherham sits eerily empty after the plug was pulled on the retailer.

After a slowdown in sales and declining profits, the firm plunged into administration in February, putting around 2,500 jobs at risk.

Based at Manvers, Maplin sold a range of products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers. In 2008 it moved to a 220,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre and head office on Brookfield's Park.

The building is owned by Ascendas Reit, Singapore's first and largest listed business space and industrial real estate investment trust. It was previously acquired in 2014 in a £15.1m deal.

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CBRE and Knight Frank have now been instructed to find a new tenant for the property. The brochure show rows and rows of empty racks and shelves.

Mike Baugh, senior director for the industrial team at CBRE Leeds, said: "We are delighted to be working with Ascendas Reit on this significant warehouse facility.

"Brookfields 200 is ideal for occupiers looking to take advantage of a fully fitted warehouse close to a plentiful and economic labour pool, in a location which allows excellent communications across Yorkshire and the UK."

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of Knight Frank's Yorkshire industrial team, added: "Brookfields Park is ideally located in the popular Sheffield city region which is experiencing an increase in attracting manufacturing and logistics operations and thanks to its location, with superb transport infrastructure to the A1 and M1, means that it is ideally positioned for business, locally, nationally and internationally. The buoyant labour market offers a wide range of skills for potential employees."

Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics became the experts' choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.

It was sold for £85m to Rutland Partners in 2014. Montagu Private Equity bought the business for a reported £244m in 2004.

In the early days in Essex, founders, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons, remained in their full-time jobs for two years, and the company didn't make a profit. For the year ending 31 March 2017, turnover at the electronics chain increased to £235.8m but pre tax losses widened to £3.9m.

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In 2016 a reorganisation saw a "front office" of the commercial, marketing, ecommerce and digital function based together in London, with a "back office" of the HR, finance, IT, warehouse and distribution and contact centre functions based in Rotherham.

No buyers for the firm could be found and all branches ceased trading in June. The firm's IP was sold for £800,000, reportedly to Dragon's Den star, Peter Jones, according to The Register.

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Atomic Dinnington unit plans submitted

Fresh from purchasing a five acre plot at a regeneration site in Rotherham, Trebor Developments has submitted plans for a large speculative development.

Rothbiz reported last month that Trebor Developments, working in conjunction with its strategic partner Hillwood, has purchased a five acre site for an undisclosed sum at the prominent 31 East site in Dinnington.

Promoted as "Atomic" 31 East, the planning application is for the erection of single speculative B2/B8 warehouse with ancillary office space at first floor and associated yard, parking, roadways, landscape and amenities. It would total some 78,000 sq ft.

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The development is on a 44 acre site on Todwick Road, adjacent to the existing 45 acre Dinnington Business Park which already has outline planning consent.

The former Dinnington Colliery site has been transformed and local specialist developer, St Paul's Developments agreed in 2015 with the Homes and Communities Agency (now called Homes England) to create a 750,000 sq ft logistics hub and the site was granted Enterprise Zone status.

Atomic at 31 East is prominently located fronting on to Todwick Road and is already being advertised as being available to let by way of a new lease on terms to be agreed. Investors believe that the industrial unit will be available Q2-2019.

Trebor/Hillwood are advised by agents: CBRE (Leeds), CPP (Sheffield) and Knight Frank (Sheffield).

Details on drainage, parking (for 146 cars) and landscaping has also been submitted.

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Trebor Developments LLP was formed in 2008 by Bob Tattrie, formerly managing director of Alfred McAlpine Developments. It has been one of the most active speculative developers of industrial and logistics real estate across the United Kingdom, carrying out a range of schemes with a focus on those that range between 30,000 and 300,000 square feet.

Trebor Developments website
Hillwood website

Images: Hillwood

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News: Dinnington deal done as momentum builds

The regeneration of the former Dinnington colliery is ramping up again with Trebor Developments, working in conjunction with its strategic partner Hillwood, acquiring a speculative development site at the Rotherham site.

The partnership has purchased a five acre site for an undisclosed sum at the prominent 31 East site located less than 2.5 miles from Junction 31, of the M1, near Rotherham.

A single, speculative, 83,000 sq ft industrial unit will be developed and will be available in first half of 2019 and promoted as "Atomic" 31 East.

Bob Tattrie, managing partner of Trebor Developments said: "We are delighted to secure this further site and will bring the speculative development forward on our fast track basis. A planning application has been submitted. The unit will be available to lease or purchase and can meet local or regional occupier needs in a size range not readily available in the location."

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The acquisition represents the second between the partners following the announcement in March at MIPIM that Trebor had entered into a long term strategic partnership with Hillwood to undertake industrial and logistics developments across the UK.

Trebor Developments LLP was formed in 2008 by Bob Tattrie, formerly managing director of Alfred McAlpine Developments. It has been one of the most active speculative developers of industrial and logistics real estate across the United Kingdom, carrying out a range of schemes with a focus on those that range between 30,000 and 300,000 square feet.

Hillwood is a leading American based commercial real estate investor and developer with offices in the United States, Germany, and Poland. Active in Europe since 2013, the Perot company anticipates investing £400m in industrial and logistics across the United Kingdom over the next two years.

Trebor/Hillwood are advised by agents at CBRE (Leeds), CPP (Sheffield) and Knight Frank (Sheffield).

Rothbiz reported earlier this month that a planning application had been submitted for a commercial development on part of the 31 East site.

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The 44 acre site on Todwick Road, adjacent to the existing 45 acre Dinnington Business Park, already has outline planning consent. Local specialist developer, St Paul's Developments agreed in 2015 with the Homes and Communities Agency (now called Homes England) to create a 750,000 sq ft logistics hub and the site was granted Enterprise Zone status.

The latest plans are from another local specialist developer, E V Waddington Ltd, and include creating a speculative development on around 12 acres of land off Todwick Road.

Rothbiz has also reported on the £18m investment from United Caps who are progressing plans for an initial facility at 31 East that will be 54,000 sq ft, with an option to expand to 215,000 sq ft as business growth demands.

Trebor Developments website
Hillwood website

Images: Trebor Developments

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News: Rotherham factory sold

A factory in Rotherham which has the capacity to manufacture in excess of 2 million wheeled bins per annum has been sold for £2.8m.

The 65,000 sq ft property on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate is home to MGB Plastics, the UK's largest and leading manufacturer of wheeled bins and kitchen caddies.

The three detached industrial warehouses units with a large yard for extended storage and a detached office have been sold by Kingspan to a private investor for £2.8m.

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MGB currently has the largest share of the UK wheeled bin and recycling container market alongside sister firm Straight Ltd and provides wheeled bins to numerous councils, including Rotherham. It has the most extensive collections of large tonnage injection moulding machines and wheeled bin tools in the UK and has invested over £10m in the recent years.

MGB is part of Irish plastics company, One51 plc, and will now rent the premises from the new owner. It holds a lease on the Rotherham site that expires in 2025 with around 9.25 years unexpired.

Robin Wimbush from Wimbush Real Estate acted for the purchaser.

The Capital Markets team at CBRE Leeds acted on behalf of the seller and also worked on a second deal at J38 Barnsley, which has been sold by Stainton to South Street Capital for £3.66m.

Robin Bullas, director of CBRE Capital Markets in Leeds said: "We are delighted to announce the sales of two major South Yorkshire industrial sites both situated in excellent locations with strong links.

"These sales demonstrate the current investor appetite for well positioned industrial property with further opportunities."

MGB Plastics website

Images: MGB

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News: Harworth launch latest R-evolution

Harworth Estates has officially launched a development of high-quality, flexible industrial units, called R-evolution @ Gateway 36, on the site of the former Rockingham mining site, south of Barnsley.

A specialist in brownfield regeneration, the Harworth Group, which is based on its own flagship Waverley development in Rotherham, manages around 31,370 acres across some 200 projects, with consent for 8,000 new homes. It was created through the complex restructure of what was UK Coal.

Commercial property agents took part in a tour of the new development this week, located directly off the Dearne Valley Parkway.

The launch was marked by short speeches from Barnsley Council leader Cllr. Sir Stephen Houghton CBE and Ian Ball, director of asset management at Harworth Estates. The development has been directly supported by the Council's Property Investment Fund.

Cllr. Houghton (pictured, second left) said: "Barnsley Council has been going through a difficult time with cuts to government funding, but it is our priority to grow the economy through providing job opportunities and the development at Gateway 36 is a huge step forward in this ambition.

"This is a great example of how we can work with the private sector to provide Barnsley residents, particularly our young people, with job opportunities now and in the future and I'd like to thank Harworth Estates, the commercial property agency Knight Frank and Marshall's construction company."

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R-evolution @ Gateway 36, will, in total, create more than 450 new jobs in addition to having the potential to add £20m in Gross Value Added to the local economy. Alongside the Harworth development, key highway connections along the Dearne Valley Parkway (M1 Junction 36 along the A6135 to Goldthorpe) are set to be improved with new access roads along with the preparation of additional sites along the route. Access to Enterprise Zone sites are also set to be improved.

The first three of Harworth's units, which total 65,000 sq ft, have been pre-let to Barnsley Council. Funding also came from the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) Fund, which provided a £4.8m loan to enable infrastructure works and the construction of the units to take place.

Harworth Estates said that it will begin the speculative development of a 75,000 sq ft industrial unit this month at the Gateway 36 scheme having secured planning consent from Barnsley Council for the unit, together with consent for the third and final phase of development that will comprise a drive-through restaurant, a hotel or car showroom and a "Farmhouse Inn" pub, operated by Greene King.

Funding for the construction of the new unit has come from a £2.7m loan, also from the SCR JESSICA Fund.

Dave Travis, associate director of business space at Harworth Estates, said: "Building this unit speculatively marks another exciting period for Harworth Estates and our Gateway 36 development. There is a lack of good-quality units of less than 100,000 sq ft in the region and we have taken this decision to steal a march on other developers focusing on "big box" logistics.

"Given the number of enquiries we have already had on Gateway 36, we expect even more companies that want a modern, high-specification unit adjacent to the M1 to express an interest."

William Church, director of CBRE Capital Advisors, investment advisor to the SCR JESSICA Fund, added: "This speculative unit at Gateway 36 is exactly the type of development the Fund (created by the SCR LEP and Local Authorities) was established to provide funding for: one which will benefit the local economy and where there is clear occupier demand in an area of undersupply but little interest from the traditional lenders. We are delighted that we were able to create and deliver the necessary financial package to enable this speculative development to happen"

Harworth Estates used similar methods to bring forward development in partnership with the public sector on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. A £4.3m forward-purchase agreement with Rotherham Council enabled the developer to unlock a £2.7m loan from the Sheffield City Region JESSICA Fund, which led to the first R-evolution scheme, a 117,000 sq ft speculative industrial development, the success of which is leading to a second phase.

Harworth Estates website

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News: G4S secures new Rotherham office

Leading international security solutions group, G4S, has signed the lease for 10,657 sq ft of office accommodation at Callflex Business Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

G4S specialises in outsourcing of business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat. Contracts range from securing sporting or entertainment events (including stewarding at Rotherham United's New York Stadium) to 25-year government contracts for the construction and management of prisons.

With a head office in Crawley, G4S is the largest employer on the London Stock Exchange, with operations in more than 120 countries and over 620,000 employees.

The Dearne Valley area has already attracted a wealth of high profile occupiers including NEXT, Keepmoat, South Yorkshire Police and RBS.

Unit 2 at Callflex Business Park is owned by commercial property management and investment company, Telereal Trillium. Joint agents CBRE and Lambert Smith Hampton acted on behalf Telereal Trillium and G4S were unrepresented in the deal.

Rob Darrington, associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton in Sheffield, said: "Callflex Business Park suited G4S' requirement for modern, well-positioned office space in the South Yorkshire area. The lease that they have signed until 2018 will enable them to service a new contract they have secured."

Ben White, surveyor at CBRE, added: "Following this recent deal, we have a further 24,500 sq ft available to let within Unit 2 at Callflex Business Park and look forward to welcoming additional occupiers in due course."

G4S website
CBRE website
LSH website

Images: G4S / CBRE

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News: Elecomm expanding across Rotherham

Elecomm Ltd, the communications, electrical and mechanical contractor, has taken a five year lease on a 7,250 sq ft unit at JF Finnegan's Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham.

The company, which provides electrical services to the commercial, retail and industrial sectors, is relocating its expanding head office and warehousing operation from Nine Trees Trading Estate in Thurcroft due to increased business.

The deal, which means that phase one of the flagship scheme is now full, was secured for JF Finnegan by the Sheffield office of property firm CBRE, while Elecomm Ltd represented itself overseen by general manager Steve Thomas.

The site is already home to the 112,500sq ft state-of-the-art Sandvik European Centre of Excellence, since taken over by American firm Orchid, plus Norwegian Steel firm, Sverdrup Steel.

Phase one comprises 55,000 sq ft of high quality industrial and business space over three buildings and is located on a 15 acre site off Junction 31 of the M1. Elecomm joins phase one tenants including Cadac BBQ manufacturer, Ideal Envelopes, Viaturn and SP Smith Painting Contractors.

Nick Gillott, director of JF Finnegan, said: "Beighton Link's ability to attract global operators such as Orchid and Sverdrup Steel as well as catering for leading regionally-based businesses such as Elecomm Ltd demonstrates its universal appeal as a place for firms to work and grow. We have a fantastic mix of tenants and have seen the park go from strength to strength.

"Looking ahead, we have plans to incorporate further units of a similar nature on the remaining three acres and are considering potential leisure and retail uses."

Chris Thomas, who co-founded the business in 2003 and is the managing director of the Communication Division of Elecomm Ltd, said: "Due to increased business we were looking for a new unit to accommodate our ever expanding team and after extensive searches in the South Yorkshire area we eventually found a suitable unit which matched our quite specific requirements."

Paul Mansell, co-founder and managing director of the M&E Division of Elecomm Ltd, also commented: "Beighton Link is a prestige business park and the location and quality of the unit was ideal. We are excited about expanding our operations whilst remaining firmly based in South Yorkshire."

CBRE is joint agent with Crossland Otter Hunt on Beighton Link. Senior Director of Industrial Agency at CBRE, Roger Haworth, brokered the deal. he said: "Once again, JF Finnegan's reputation for quality developments in strategic locations has proven pivotal in attracting an occupier. Beighton Link's strength lies in its superb location, close to all the major motorway networks, and the sheer quality of build. Elecomm Ltd will join a strong tenant line-up when they move in this month."

Work is also underway at the site for a new development for Cloverleaf, the operator of informal pub style amenity restaurants. "Brookhouse Farm" is set to open in the summer creating 25 full time and 50 part time jobs.

Elecomm Ltd website
JF Finnegan website

Images: JF Finnegan

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News: Dinnington development land comes to market

Acting on behalf of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Industrial Agency team at CBRE Leeds has brought a major development opportunity in Rotherham to the market.

17.56 hectares of employment development land is available on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery. It is the second phase of the highly successful regeneration of the 34 hectare site that has created over 40,000 sq m of employment space created.

The HCA, the national housing and regeneration agency for England, recently sold a 1.10 hectare Dinnington plot at auction, with a 0.67 hectare plot, the last remaining from phase one.

The area is a popular business location and inward investors include Johnston Press, who invested £60m in a state of the art printing facility. Leading companies on the park include construction experts, Macalloy; Assured Fire and Security; Marussia Manor Racing; and innovative security company, Connexion2.

In addition, work is well underway on the £14.7m transport scheme to upgrade the A57 from junction 31 of the M1 to Todwick crossroads.

The HCA took ownership of the site following the demise of Yorkshire Forward. It estimates that 620 jobs have been created so far and expects 2,408 jobs to be created as the scheme progresses.

It is one of three sites that CBRE is marketing on behalf of the HCA. Dave Cato, associate director at CBRE Leeds' Industrial Agency team, said: "The three HCA sites all provide significant development opportunities for any interested parties, a fact evidenced in the early interest in all three sites.

"The sites are a positive addition to the industrial development opportunities currently on the market and we can disclose pricing upon request."

CBRE website

HCA website

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News: Rotherham industrial units acquired

Acting on behalf of a private client the Capital Markets team at CBRE Leeds has purchased three industrial units at Masbrough Street in Rotherham.

The three buildings totaling 19,219 sq ft are situated in a prominent position on Masbrough Street, and have established tenants including William Wilson Ltd, Acorn Industrial Services and Zintec Ltd.

William Wilson, now part of Wolseley UK, is one of the largest suppliers of plumbing & heating products in the UK.

The unit for Acorn is secondary to their nearby headquarters. The company is a supplier of bearings and transmission products and represents market leading brands such as SKF and THK.

Zintec specialise in sheet metal work and light fabrications.

Robin Bullas, associate director of Capital Markets at CBRE in Leeds, said: "We were pleased to purchase this strong multi let investment for 10.25% for our client."

CBRE website

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News: CBRE see opportunities in the Yorkshire property sector

Diminishing supply levels combined with steady take-up figures in the Yorkshire industrial and logistic market paints a more positive picture for the year ahead according to property firm CBRE.

Toby Vernon, senior director of Industrial Agency at CBRE, said: "2006 and 2007 saw a major increase in the supply of new build, speculatively built, large scale logistics schemes. This coincided with a significant contraction in occupier demand as the recession bit and the Yorkshire region, like most across the UK, was faced with an over-supply of industrial stock.

"Throughout 2008 and 2009 the market was sluggish but demand has returned to form with a substantial amount of building take-up over the last two years. With no speculative development taking place during this time, supply levels began to diminish and we are now in a much stronger position with the market imbalance correcting itself."

CBRE's research into logistics buildings over 100,000 sq ft indicates that 2011 take-up in the Yorkshire region fell back in line with the UK-wide statistics. Coupled with a complete lack of speculative development, this means that current availability of existing buildings represents only 16 months of supply.

Recent logistics lettings in Yorkshire have been from large retailers such as Amazon and ASOS and with tenants looking for quality, CBRE expects good things for the existing stock and eventually a requirement for pre-let led development in core areas.

Vernon added: "Looking ahead to 2012, we expect that the steady levels of take-up will continue and that we will see an increase in demand from other UK regions where building supply is far more limited.

"We expect that the online retailers and major high street chains will continue to be the main drivers for logistics demand. As supply levels reduce further, rental levels will harden and the prospects for pre-let led development will begin to improve."

Recent deals involving CBRE in Rotherham include American engineering company, Thetford Ltd moving to Manvers and Home Décor's 110,000 sq ft pre-let at Woodhouse Link.

CBRE website

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