News: Rotherham firms receive royal visits

Two Rotherham-based companies had the honour of a royal visit recently when Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was in the region.

Last month, Princess Anne visited MTL Advanced in Brinsworth, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman.

The firm, which operates a 387,000 sq ft facility, has over 440 employees and annual sales expected to exceed £64m for 2025. MTL Advanced is recognised globally as a market leader in the processing of armoured steels and complex fabrications. The business has invested more than £15m in additional factory space and state-of-the-art equipment over the past two years.

In addition, over 100 apprentices have now come through the doors of MTL's in-house Academy since it opened its doors in 2015 and the company’s home-grown talent has played a critical role in the company’s recent growth and success.

Advertisement
After a visit to a nursery and the Baby Basics UK charity in Sheffield, Her Royal Highness then visited Yorkshire Crisps in Rotherham.

The luxury hand cooked crisps and popcorn maker is based at Waleswood where its award-winning produce is made by a small, dedicated team using the finest local ingredients for a local, national and international market.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Crisps said: "It was a truly memorable day for our whole team. Her Royal Highness was a wonderful guest, generously taking the time to speak with colleagues across the site and showing genuine interest in the people and processes behind our crisps. Her warmth and engagement made a lasting impression on everyone she met.

"We are also proud to recognise the outstanding work The Princess Royal continues to do in supporting local industry and championing charities across the UK. Her Royal Highness’s dedication to strengthening communities and celebrating British enterprise is both inspiring and greatly appreciated."

MTL Advanced website
Yorkshire Crisps wesbite

Images: Yorkshire Crisps

Read more...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Preformed Windings website

Images: Preformed Windings

Read more...

News: Rotherham expansion moves for industrial specialists

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RVT website
Preformed Windings website

Images: Jake Richards / Facebook

Read more...

News: German auto manufacturer to close Rotherham plant

Global automotive and industrial supplier, Schaeffler, has announced proposals to close its factory in Rotherham due to declining global demand for clutches.

Production will instead shift to Hungary and India.

The board of the Schaeffler Group, a German manufacturer of rolling element bearings for automotive, aerospace and industrial uses, has announced structural measures for Europe aimed at securing a long-term increase in the company’s competitiveness.

For the UK, the measures include plans to discontinue the operation at Waleswood, which is in Rotherham.

The site produces clutch systems with most of the production for passenger cars, although some is for tractors, and most of it is exported. An update from Schaeffler explained that: "declining global demand for clutches is leading to production overcapacity."

Advertisement
The update reads: "The shift towards automatic transmissions in ICE [internal combustion engine] cars and the powertrain electrification trend have resulted in significantly reduced demand for passenger cars with manual transmissions. This development is also leading to considerable overcapacity in Sheffield [Rotherham]. Schaeffler therefore intends to locate its production of passenger car clutches in Szombathely, Hungary.

"In addition, the company’s production operation for tractor single and dual clutches in Sheffield will in future be sited at its plant in Hosur, India, where demand for these products is increasing. This will reduce production and transportation costs and expand Schaeffler’s production capacity in a growing market."

Subject to consultation, Schaeffler is planning to close the Waleswood plant and transfer employees in the unaffected central functions there to its existing office in Birmingham.

Matthias Zink, Schaeffler’s CEO Powertrain & Chassis, said: “These carefully considered measures will align Schaeffler’s clutch production network with market demand. Discontinuing production in Sheffield and consolidating our clutch production operations will safeguard the competitiveness of our global clutch business and deliver benefits to our customers. Having said that, we are mindful of the consequences of these measures and will now do everything we can to work with our employees in Sheffield to develop fair solutions.”

In 1987, LuK GmbH acquired Laycock Engineering Limited and started planning a purpose built factory in South Yorkshire. It opened on Waleswood Road, close to the M1, in 1989.

The Rotherham plant was saved from closure in 2018 when Schaeffler announced restructure plans for the UK influenced by uncertainties over Brexit. At the time Rotherham was the biggest of Schaeffler's UK locations in terms of revenues and employee numbers and plants in Llanelli and Plymouth were earmarked for closure.

Schaeffler website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Plans approved at £24m Rotherham development

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Network Space website

Images: Network Space

Read more...

News: Gulliver’s Valley celebrates second anniversary and looks forward to exciting future

It’s been a two-year roller coaster ride with plenty of twists and turns – and now Gulliver’s Valley is set to accelerate into a thrilling future.

The family-friendly theme park resort based in Rotherham celebrated its two-year anniversary on July 11.

The park has proved a popular addition to the family leisure scene in South Yorkshire since opening its gates two years ago. It is the fourth and newest Gulliver’s Theme Park Resort in the UK, joining Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath, Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes and Gulliver’s World in Warrington.

The family business, which opened its first park, Gulliver’s Kingdom, in 1978, opened Gulliver’s Valley in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic and faced challenges from lockdowns and other restrictions.

But Gulliver’s Valley has bounced back impressively. Tens of thousands of families have flocked to its more than 30 rides and attractions, which include Apache Falls, the Ghostly Galleon pirate ship and Lost Jurassic World area.

The resort is now looking forward to a first full summer season without restrictions and has a host of special events planned including visits from favourite children’s characters like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Advertisement
Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, said: “The past two years have been a challenging time for everyone, and it was certainly far from ideal to open a people-focused business during the height of the pandemic!

“But our fantastic staff have remained dedicated and determined throughout and we are so excited about the summer season ahead. As well as being thankful to our staff, we are so grateful for the support and warm welcome we have received from the wonderful Rotherham community and countless families who have visited Gulliver’s Valley.

“Having come through the past two years, this is now an exciting time for the business. We are continuing to grow and always looking for ways to enhance our offering to provide families with even more magical moments and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Aimed at children between the ages of two and 13, Gulliver’s Valley is based on 250 acres and boasts a variety of unique accommodation options for short breaks. These include Unicorn and Princess Suites, Western Cabins and Lost World Lodges.

Built on land adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park, Gulliver's was the third time Rotherham Council chose a developer for the site of the former Brookhouse Colliery.

Gulliver's went on to purchase approximately 250 acres of the 330 acres available and has already had outline plans approved for further phases - more themed areas, hotels and accommodation, a woodland adventure centre and an ecology and education centre. It is a five-phase development spanning 12 years.

As part of a successful £23m Levelling Up bid, a new Skills Village (£1m required for a £1.6m project) is being created at Gulliver's Valley Resort focusing on training, development, and accreditation within the hospitality and leisure sector.

Gulliver's Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

Read more...

News: The Rotherham company helping Brompton reinvent the bicycle

There are key parts of amazing things that are made in Rotherham - Rolls-Royce engines, Stanley knives, McLaren supercars. Here's one more to add to the list - Brompton bikes.

Brompton Bicycle, a British manufacturer of iconic folding bicycles has launched its lightest bike ever, and it has been made possible by CW Fletcher, a precision engineering firm based in Rotherham.

CW Fletcher supplies a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, nuclear and space exploration. Its "Sterling Works" is part of a 9.5-acre combined site located at Wales Bar in Rotherham where high-strength, lightweight assemblies in ordinary and exotic metallic materials are fabricated and high value-added components are machined.

The precision engineers told Brompton that their folding bike could be made in titanium when others said it couldn't.

The product of three years of research and development, Brompton has brought its fold to life in titanium by forging new construction techniques, designing over 150 components and building a dedicated factory in Rotherham in order to create the ultra-light Brompton T Line.

Advertisement
The two companies created Brompton Fletcher seven years ago and have previously created titanium components such as forks and rear ends for the Brompton Superlight.

Now at the facility whole frames are precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength. In Brompton's London home, the T Line is finished with new componentry and tuned for the city, setting a new benchmark for folding bikes in lightness, ride performance and robustness.

Using titanium means that the T Line frame weighs 37% less than the original all-steel equivalent and is just as strong. Weighing 7.45 kg in total, it is comparable to a carbon road bike.

Paul Williams, chief operations officer explained the challenges Brompton overcame to create T Line: "Whilst Titanium ore is a relatively abundant material, turning it into something usable for bike manufacture takes an extraordinary amount of effort. It proves worth it though, as it has the highest strength to density ratio of any metallic element, along with great impact strength and corrosion resistance, making it the perfect material to create the ultimate lightweight folding bike, able to withstand the punishing impacts of the city.

"Working with Titanium takes a high level of knowledge, experience and diligence, so finding the right partner who shared our vision and belief in what could be achieved with Titanium was critical. Our relationship with C W Fletcher, based in Sheffield started over seven years ago and they have a long history in manufacturing going back over 100 years. With them we built Brompton Fletcher, a dedicated company with a purpose-built production facility and skilled team able to work with this demanding material and fabricate these fantastic titanium frames."

Adam Cox, manufacturing engineer at Brompton Fletcher (pictured, left), said: "All the frames we make are handcrafted and handmade. We take titanium tube, titanium plates, and weld them into frames that then get shipped down to London and built into the T Line bike.

"As a metal, titanium can be quite difficult to work with, whether you're machining it, rolling it, bending it, or in our case, welding it."

Matt Kirk, production lead at Brompton Fletcher, added: "It's not like steel so we have to form it and build it in a different way. We have to play with different wall thicknesses and different bend angles, and with the way we bend stuff, springback.

"It makes you proud that you've worked hard to make that weld as good as you possibly can. It's so rewarding."

Brompton website
CW Flecther website

Images: Brompton

Read more...

News: Plans updated for a new Rotherham unit for global logistics firm

Plans for an expanding logistics firm to take a large purpose built unit in Rotherham have been updated.

Vector 31 West is being created at Waleswood on a parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road close to Junction 31 of the M1.

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

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

A detailed application ealier this year showed that an unnamed logistics company had asked Network Space to deliver a bespoke 85,000 sq ft unit.

A new application, drawn up by Spawforths, explains that the earlier application was "formally withdrawn on 29 November 2021, due to technical issues arising from the site investigation monitoring. As such, an amended scheme has been prepared and submitted for a revised location albeit the specification of the building remains unchanged.

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

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

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

The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created. Some mitigation is proposed, inlcuding acoustic barriers located along the west of the service yard.

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

Network Space website

Images: Network Space / Harris Partnership

Read more...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Network Space website

Images: Network Space / Harris

Read more...

News: Jobs boost as food manufacturer plans to grow Rotherham facility

Leading convenience food manufacturer, Greencore, has cooked up plans to expand its facilities in Rotherham, marking a turnaround from when part of the site was mothballed in 2019.

If approved, the move would create 276 jobs.

Greencore is a leading international producer of convenience foods supplying major retailers in the UK. Headquartered in Dublin, it supplies foodservice, grocery and other retailers, including all of the major UK supermarkets. Strong market positions are held in a range of categories including sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that the firm announced that it was proposing to phase out longer life ready meals manufacturing at its Kiveton site and transfer volume to other parts of its ready meal network.

But now plans have been submitted for a 21,000 sq ft extension to one of three main buildings at the site at Waleswood, known as "Kiveton Kitchens."

Advertisement
The plans, drawn up by CoxFreeman Architects, state: "The existing Greencore UK Kiveton site complex consists of three main production facilities with ancillary buildings around and a large car park to the north of the site. The three main factory buildings have occupied the site since 1969 during which time they have been redeveloped to facilitate the production of various foodstuffs.

"The existing building to which this application relates, known as Kiveton Kitchens, was granted planning permission for a similar sized extension in 2012. However, due to a decline in the production requirements the extension was never undertaken. In March 2019 the Kiveton Kitchen building ceased production altogether and was mothballed.

"The need for current application works arises following newly obtained production requirements and supply demands by Greencore UK which will be fulfilled in the Kiveton Kitchens building and proposed extension."

The newly acquired production and supply demands require that additional production and storage space be provided to allow the manufacturer of Greencore ready meals. The proposed extension to the Kiveton Kitchen building is to house new manufacturing lines and accompanying production, preparation and storage areas.

Plans show that 613 people are currently employed at the Mansfield Road site and the proposals would take this number up to 889.

In its full year results for 2020 Greencore said that revenues fell 12.5% back to £1.26bn as it was impacted by COVID-19 on food to go categories in the second half of its year. Whilst food to go was 23% down on the previous year, other convenience categories delivered a solid performance, with pro forma revenue up 3% on the previous year.

Greencore website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Outline approval for £24m Rotherham development

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Network Space website

Images: Network Space

Read more...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Architects for the scheme is Harris Partnership.

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

Network Space website

Images:

Read more...

News: NSM delivers quickly for Hermes

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

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

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

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

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

Advertisement

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

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

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

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

Images: NSM

Hermes website
NSM website

Read more...

News: Henderson's withdrawal is a sauce of disappointment for Yorkshire Crisps

The Rotherham-based Yorkshire Crisp Company has had to stop producing its Henderson's Relish flavoured crisps.

The luxury hand cooked crisps and popcorn maker is based at Waleswood where its award-winning produce is made by a small, dedicated team using the finest local ingredients for a local, national and international market.

A match made in South Yorkshire saw Sheffield-based Henderson's combine its spicy sauce with Yorkshire Crisps back in 2008 but now the historic firm has decided to stop supplying the crisp maker.

Instead, the manufacturer has launched its new Worcester Sauce flavour.

A statement from Yorkshire Crisps explained: "This is in response to Henderson's decision to stop supplying us as they are exploring expansion opportunities to promote the Henderson’s Relish brand. They are focusing on their future priorities and, after much deliberation, are to no longer supply product to Yorkshire Crisps.

"Our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps are now available in single 40g bags and our re-sealable stay-fresh 100g drums. We are very disappointed to be unable to continue our association with the iconic Yorkshire brand that is Henderson's, which is local to our home town, but we respect their decision and hope you will enjoy our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps."

Advertisement

The Yorkshire Crisp range now has four flavours that that are suitable for vegans – the new Worcester Sauce flavour, plus Sweet Chilli & Lime, Natural Sea Salt or Nowt On. The whole range is now gluten-free.

Tim Wheatley of The Yorkshire Crisp Company, said: "After listening to our customers and to feedback from our tasting panels, it became very clear to us that we needed to incorporate more flavours that are plant-based.

"This has allowed us to widen our audience appeal and respond to exciting current market trends and we are thrilled to have launched our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps with this in mind."

Yorkshire Crisps website

Images: Yorkshire Crisps

Read more...

News: CW Fletcher lands massive £160m Rolls-Royce deal

CW Fletcher, a precision engineering firm based in Rotherham, has signed a record £160m long term contract with Rolls-Royce. A deal which means it can expand its Wales Bar facility.

The business supplies a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, nuclear and space exploration. Its "Sterling Works" is part of a 9.5-acre combined site located at Wales Bar in Rotherham where high-strength, lightweight assemblies in ordinary and exotic metallic materials are fabricated and high value-added components are machined.

The deal, the most valuable secured by the company in its 126-year history, will see them supply aircraft engine fabrications for the next ten years.

Steve Kirk, managing director at CW Fletcher, said: "This is hugely significant for every one of us at CW Fletcher and represents many months of work at both companies. The contract forms a key part of our growth strategy which will also see the start of our new facility in Sheffield to add a further 2,000 square metres of manufacturing space and secure the future of our 200 strong workforce. We are confident that the future is bright for advanced manufacturing here in Sheffield."

Ian Oliver, strategic buyer at Rolls-Royce, added: "Rolls-Royce is pleased to secure this deal with CW Fletcher, which builds on the previous 70 years plus relationship. CW Fletcher is an important supplier to Rolls-Royce and the deal helps secure the long-term relationship between the companies."

Advertisement

CW Fletcher has a strategy for sustained growth based on being one of the first companies selected for the UK's flagship Sharing in Growth competitiveness improvement programme. The company has participated in the bespoke and intense training and business transformation programme which focuses on leadership, culture and operational capability.

Rothbiz reported in 2016 that participation in Sharing in Growth helped CW Fletcher sign a £7m, three year export deal with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) of Japan for the supply of unison ring components which were ultimately fitted into Rolls-Royce aero engines.

The firm's links to Rolls-Royce stretch back to the manufacture of components in the iconic Merlin engine, developed for the Spitfire and Lancaster aircraft.

Set up by industry in 2012, Sharing in Growth is endorsed by Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, GE, GKN, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, Safran and Thales because it is helping the UK advanced manufacturing supply chain to become more competitive and win a larger share of global aerospace contracts, typically by addressing a 20% cost gap and targeting 50% productivity improvement.

Andy Page, CEO of Sharing in Growth, said: "We are thrilled with CW Fletcher's well-deserved success. It is testament to the effectiveness of Sharing in Growth and we'd encourage other ambitious companies to follow CW Fletcher onto our programme. As an industry-led programme our aim is to deliver sustainable business growth in the advanced manufacturing sector based on investing in people and processes to drive up productivity and competitiveness."

CW Fletcher are experts in providing machined fabrications, in a range of materials, up to two metres in diameter. Their modern facility contains 5 axis milling, CNC turning, heat-treatment, pressing, sheet-metal work, non-destructive testing and a range of welding techniques.

CW Fletcher moved to its current site in 1999 but due to a recession in the airline business in the early 2000s, two additional buildings were never erected. Plans have been amended to allow for the third planned building to be removed and replaced by a lower rise second building.

Richard J Phillips, business development manager at CW Fletcher, said: "We have been gradually building our reputation across these market sectors to the point where our customers are now saying that we are the go-to company for machined fabrications in the UK. This makes us proud and is praise that we do not take lightly. These are exciting times for CW Fletcher."

CW Fletcher website

Images: CW Fletcher

Read more...

News: More land in Rotherham needed for HS2

HS2 Ltd has confirmed that it will need more land in order to construct the high speed rail route through Rotherham, adding more sites to its "safeguarding areas."

Rothbiz reported last year on the details released as part of a consultation which highlighted that more land is needed during construction. It described the design of the railway and reported on the impacts of its construction and operation.

As the bills make their way through Parliament, design work has continued on how the line may look, from box tunnels, cuttings and embankments, to bridges and viaducts. Now further consultation is underway and new maps confirm the land required in the borough for construction compounds and road realignments.

Safeguarding is a planning tool to help the Government and HS2 Ltd protect the land that may be needed to build and operate the railway from conflicting development. Also guiding planning authorities, property owners within the safeguarding area can serve a Blight Notice asking the Secretary of State for Transport to buy their property prior to it being needed for construction of HS2.

In July 2017, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the preferred route for the £55.7 billion HS2 project from Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Leeds (known as Phase 2b). A spur to Sheffield is included and the fast route to Leeds would go through the East of Rotherham and would affect Wales, Aston, Ulley, Brampton-en-le–Morthen, Thurcroft, Bramley, Ravenfield and Hooton Roberts.

The maps show that greenbelt land at Waleswood that developers had identified for commercial development is needed by HS2. Where a viaduct is proposed at Aston, land has been safeguarded for a brand new section of the road in Aston Conservation Area to run on fields between the Grade II listed Aston Hall Hotel and the cricket club to join the A57 Aston bypass close to Aston ponds.

Advertisement

At Thurcroft, safeguarding areas have been extended as further road realignments are proposed. Morthen Road is set to be realigned to cross above the new railway and motorway to maintain access between Thurcroft and Wickersley. On farmland adjacent to the Nine Trees Trading Estate, a new roundabout and realigned road would link to Brampton Road close to the Consort Hotel.

The new maps show the hotel left out of the safeguarding area whilst land all around it for the new roads is included (pictured).

Further land is required where a wind turbine stands in the way of the route at Ulley, and around a proposed viaduct over the M1 / M18 junction. At Bramley, farm land off Slacks Lane has been added to the safeguarding area with the land required for a construction compound.

Documents from HS2 state: "Although safeguarding for the Phase 2b route was only introduced in 2017, it was based on plans which pre-dated the Working Draft Environmental Statement designs that were subject to consultation in October 2018 and which provide draft environmental information for the Phase 2b route. Whilst the corridor of the route was protected by the Safeguarding Directions, many accompanying sites, particularly those a short distance from the HS2 line of route, fell outside the safeguarded area.

"Due to the interaction between safeguarding and the consultation on the Working Draft Environmental Statement and the proposed route design refinements, updated and revised Safeguarding Directions have now been issued to reflect these route changes."

A Northern Loop is yet to be confirmed connecting Sheffield Midland back to the HS2 line heading to and from Leeds. The latest maps show large amounts of land added to the safeguarding area around Clayton and Thurnscoe where HS2 Ltd have been assuming a that a junction between HS2 and the existing network would be constructed.

A Parkway station, which would bring big benefits to South Yorkshire, has also not yet been confirmed.

In its response to the previous consultation, Rotherham Council made it clear that it does not support HS2's revised alignment of the Birmingham to Leeds leg, calling on the Government to abandon the current scheme between Birmingham and Leeds immediately.

HS2 Ltd website

Images: HS2 Ltd

Read more...

News: API Group relocate to larger facility

API Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of foils, laminates and holographics, has relocated to new premises in Rotherham in order to create a new, larger UK sales and distribution facility.

The group's materials provide exceptional brand enhancement for consumer goods and printed media worldwide. Products are used in packaging across a wide-range of industry sectors including premium drinks, confectionery, tobacco, perfumery, personal-care, cosmetics and healthcare/ With roots in the British paper industry, the company's reputation is founded on a trading history going back over a century.

API Group has relocated its Waleswood sales and distribution facility to a new site, creating an even larger distribution centre from which to serve its growing UK customer base.

Advertisement

The 18,000 sq ft warehouse and modern office space at Dinnington will provide the company with a state-of-the-art site, from which it can distribute its entire product range to its customer base in the UK and Ireland.

The new facility enables API to hold double the amount of stock of the previous site, as well as the latest in spooling, cutting and slitting machinery. The site is only four miles away from the previous location, so benefits from the same excellent transport links due to its proximity to the M1, whilst having little or no impact on staff, ensuring the team benefits too.

Advertisement

Michael Kitchen, head of UK sales & distribution at API Group, said: "Since opening the UK distribution centre in Sheffield over five years ago we have continued to develop and grow our customer base. As a result of our success we are now investing in an infrastructure that will allow us to continue to expand and support the needs of our customers. The new site enables us to increase our stock holding as well as add more finishing equipment to further improve our service."

Dino Kiriakopoulas, CEO of API Group, added: "Our ambition has always been to grow our business in the UK and deliver better service to our customers. This move further represents our strategic plans for growth and another step forward in optimising our Group footprint to best service our customers."

API Group website

Images: API Group

Read more...

News: Vector 31 back fully let

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

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

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

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

Advertisement

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

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

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

Advertisement

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

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

Turner's Garage website
Network Space website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Rotherham plant saved as German auto manufacturer announces restructure

Global automotive and industrial supplier, Schaeffler, is keeping its factory in Rotherham open as part of restructure plans for the UK influenced by uncertainties over Brexit.

The executive board of the Schaeffler Group, a German manufacturer of rolling element bearings for automotive, aerospace and industrial uses, has decided to reorganise its activities in the UK which will lead to the closure of sites in Llanelli and Plymouth.

Schaeffler currently has three plants in the UK, in Plymouth (Barden Corporation Ltd.), Llanelli and Rotherham, and two logistics centres, in Hereford and Sutton Coldfield. The UK locations have a total workforce of just over 1,000 people.

Rotherham, the biggest of Schaeffler's UK locations in terms of revenues and employee numbers, will be retained in its current form.

The plant at Waleswood assembles clutches for passenger cars and tractors and was previously part of the firm's LuK brand. It supplies the likes of Nissan and Toyota.

It is proposed to close the Llanelli and Plymouth sites in the medium term and relocate production to existing plants outside the UK, in the US, China, South Korea and Germany. The two logistics centres are set to be combined.

Advertisement

In a statement, Schaeffler said: "The global footprint analysis focused on how best to structure the business in the UK based on various factors including economic conditions, supply and demand, and the decisions OEMs are making. It also took into account that only 15% of the goods Schaeffler produces in the UK remain in the country, while the vast majority is exported to continental Europe. The uncertainty surrounding Brexit was one factor amongst others in the analysis of the UK market."

Juergen Ziegler, regional CEO Europe at Schaeffler Group, said: "A global business needs to regularly review market conditions and strive to optimise its footprint across different regions. The proposed measures we have taken for the UK reflect this business reality. However, we remain committed to keeping certain activities in the UK, a country that will continue to be important to us.

"The changes to our UK footprint are designed to make us more efficient by relocating parts of our production closer to where our products are used. What we are planning for the UK delivers on our "Agenda 4 plus One" programme. Brexit is clearly not the single decisive factor behind our decision-making for the UK market, but the need to plan for various complex scenarios has brought forward the timing."

In 1987, LuK GmbH acquired Laycock Engineering Limited and started planning a purpose built factory in South Yorkshire. It opened on Waleswood Road, close to the M1, in 1989.

Schaeffler UK website

Images: Schaeffler / SMMT

Read more...

News: Tasty deal for Yorkshire Crisps

The Yorkshire Crisp Company has shown its appetite for growth by expanding into further units at its Rotherham manufacturing base.

The luxury hand cooked crisps and popcorn maker has renewed its lease and acquired another unit at Waleswood Industrial Estate - meaning the company now occupies four units on the popular business park.

The company, founded in 2005 by businessman and part-time farmer Ashley Turner, produces its award-winning produce using a small, dedicated team using the finest local ingredients for a local, national and international market.

Prestigious stockists of Yorkshire Crisps include John Lewis food halls, West End theatres, Virgin Atlantic, and Malmaison Hotels.

Advertisement

Yorkshire Crisps has taken a five year lease on its existing three units and a new five year lease on an adjacent 3,334 sq ft unit – totalling 14,060 sq ft of manufacturing, storage and office space.

Solicitors Wake Smith advised on the lease for Yorkshire Crisps for the new premises.

Ashley Turner, director of Yorkshire Crisps (pictured, centre), said: "This location really works for us. We pride ourselves on local connections - our crisps are made from carefully selected potatoes that are grown by local farmers on the chalky soils of the Yorkshire Wolds and we source all our packaging from Yorkshire suppliers. That means we have to be easily accessible for our suppliers and our employees."

Tom Weightman, solicitor in Wake Smith's commercial property division (pictured, left), added: "We were really pleased to be able to advise on the lease requirements.

"We are delighted to have helped this popular independent business maintain its Yorkshire roots and expand in their existing location. We wish them the best of luck for the future."

Advertisement

In 2017 sales of Yorkshire Crisps' gourmet products, which have won Best Snack in the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards for Excellence Awards and Gold Great Taste Awards, grew with an increase in turnover of 28% to £2.1m.

As well as its online shop, Yorkshire Crisps supplies farm shops, delis, coffee shops, sandwich bars, pubs, wine bars, theatres and many independent retailers.

The company also supplies hamper manufacturers including Lanchester Wines and Gifts, Spicers of Hythe, Simply Thank You, Highland Fayre, Virginia Heywood, Tordoff Wines and Gifts and ClearWater Hampers and exports worldwide to Europe and countries further afield including Russia, Hong Kong, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates.

Yorkshire Crisps website

Images: Wake Smith

Read more...