Leading commercial developer Stoford has put forward plans for the next stage of development at its flagship Worcester Six Business Park after attracting a global supplier of materials testing machines. 

It has submitted planning permission for three units, two of which will be occupied by ZwickRoell, a world-leading supplier of static materials testing machines that is planning to move its UK headquarters to the business park, which is located just off junction 6 of the M5, near Worcester. 

Plans submitted to Wychavon District Council are for a 19,849 sq ft office and 10,000 sq ft assembly building. ZwickRoell plans to relocate its office functions from its existing UK site in Leominster, Herefordshire, and intends to build the assembly unit at a future date. 

ZwickRoell says its plans to expand its facilities in the UK to create a customer experience centre at Worcester Six and in the coming years, there will be further opportunities to create jobs and expand as a business furthermore. 

Stoford has also submitted plans to the authority for unit 10C, which is situated directly behind the ZwickRoell unit and comprises 37,800 sq ft of flexible employment space. 

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said if planning permission were obtained in February next year, contractors would be on site to start the Zwick office development in April, with an anticipated completion date of March 2021. 

“We’re pleased to have put forward plans for the next stage of development at Worcester Six, which is a world-class site in an area that has superb transport connections and a skilled work force,” he said. 

“It is encouraging to see the continued development on site, where we have seen more than 700,000 sq ft of commercial space secured in the last three years. We look forward to welcoming yet another global tenant to the business park. 

“Unit 10C is still available and subject to securing an occupier, we hope to be in a position to start on site quickly once we have achieved planning permission.” 

Nigel Hudson, Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is great to see ZwickRoell a world leading supplier of materials testing machines has chosen Worcester Six Business Park as their UK expansion. Worcester Six continues to prove itself as a world class business location for foreign direct investors in the county and we hope to welcome ZwickRoell as a new occupier in the coming months.“ 

Stoford’s joint letting agents, BNP Paribas and Harris Lamb, are marketing the unit. 

Benno Sadowski, Managing Director for ZwickRoell, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our UK and Ireland operation. Our expansion as a business will mean that ZwickRoell can continue to offer the best consultation and partnerships with new and existing customers, whilst offering trust and confidence that ZwickRoell are committed to the UK market with or without Brexit decisions. As a family-run business ZwickRoell is committed to offering our customers and employees the very best state-of-the-art facilities and we believe that this new facility will offer some excellent opportunities for growth.” 

In the past 12 months, Stoford Developments has announced the arrival of Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation. 

A leading global manufacturer and supplier of food and beverage equipment is to establish its UK headquarters in Worcester as it expands its operations.

Marmon Food & Beverage Equipment will occupy a 28,500 sq ft unit at Worcester Six Business Park from this month (July), bringing a number of new jobs to the area.

The facility, located just off junction 6 of the M5 near Worcester, comprises offices, research and development, manufacturing and distribution, which will enable Marmon to expand its food and beverage operations in the UK.

Marmon Food & Beverage Equipment is a group of businesses that produces food preparation and holding equipment for restaurants and other commercial environments, plus beverage dispensing and cooling equipment for brand owners and foodservice retailers worldwide. Among its leading brands are Cornelius and Prince Castle. The group is part of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a global industrial organisation comprising 10 diverse business sectors and more than 100 autonomous manufacturing and service businesses. Marmon is a Berkshire Hathaway company.

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said the letting of the unit represents welcome inward investment to Worcestershire, generating new jobs and attracting new visitors.

“Worcester Six Business Park has been selected due to its excellent communications and proximity to quality work force,” he said.

“The building, which is now nearing completion, will also host national and international guests who wish to view the customer experience area and meet with senior members of staff. We are looking forward to welcoming Marmon and its staff to the business park.”

Simon Felton, UK General Manager of Cornelius Beverage Technologies, said: “We are excited to occupy our new UK headquarters at Worcester Six as we position ourselves to meet future business requirements.”

Real estate company Liberty Property Trust forward funded the building last year from Stoford Developments, with the benefit of the lease to Marmon already in place.

Jane Harrison, director at Liberty Property Trust, said: “We are delighted to have  funded another building at Worcester Six, a scheme in which we have already developed two buildings speculatively, one of which is now let to Siemens and a second, Liberty 163, which is available and provides 163,000 sq ft of prime logistics space.”

Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, Councilor Dr Ken Pollock, said: “It’s fantastic news that one of the world’s leading brands in drinks cooling and dispensing is preparing to move into the Worcester Six Business Park. It’s another example of how Worcestershire continues to flourish in the business world, and our economy continues to thrive.”

In 2018, Stoford Developments announced that Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira would all be taking facilities at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

Leading private hospital provider Spire Healthcare is preparing to move into its new £9 million premises at Worcester Six Business Park after Stoford Developments handed it over, 12 months after construction began.

When the business moves to the 72,500 sq ft unit at the prestigious £120 million business site, it will provide jobs in customer and professional services, distribution services and archive management.

The healthcare company has 39 hospitals and eight clinics, as well as a Specialist Oncology Centre across England, Wales and Scotland, providing diagnostics, in-patient, daycase and out-patient care.

It also has a national distribution centre at Stonebridge Cross, Droitwich, where its 60,000 sq ft operation employs 75 people. The new facility will provide additional essential support to Spire Healthcare’s existing facilities.

Gerard Ludlow, director of Stoford Developments, which is delivering the 1.5 million sq ft Worcester Six Business Park, said: “We’re pleased to have achieved practical completion for Spire Healthcare and it comes at a pivotal time for the business park.

“The past few months have been busy at Worcester Six and we’ve made several announcements regarding new occupiers, which demonstrates the business need for the site. As each new business prepares to move in, it means new jobs and a strengthening commitment to investing in the area.”

Mat Mason, Group Supply Chain Director at Spire Healthcare, said: “As we prepare to move into our new site at Worcester Six, these are exciting times for our Supply Chain function. The site will give us improved facilities and additional capacity and resilience in terms of warehousing capability to ensure we continue to provide a first class customer service to all our sites in the Spire Healthcare Group.”

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure said: “It’s great news that the Spire Healthcare will soon be moving into their new premises on the Worcester Six Business Park.

“It’s another success story for the park and for Worcestershire’s economy.  Being Open for Business is one of the County Council’s key priorities and this park is certainly living up to that, with four tenants now confirmed and more to be confirmed soon.”

Coun Bradley Thomas, Leader of Wychavon District Council, said “I’m excited to welcome additional Spire Healthcare investment in Wychavon. This is fantastic for the local economy and I’m gratified to see the creation of even more jobs in our district. This is also a further vote of confidence in Worcester Six Business Park, which has built a great reputation across the region for delivering high quality business growth.”

Luke Willetts, Director of Operations at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to hear that Spire Healthcare are now able to move into their new premises on the Worcester Six Business Park. The investment is a real success story for all involved and we’re pleased to know that the deal will create high quality jobs for the local economy.”

Last month (February 2019), Stoford announced that work had begun on a £20 million environmentally friendly development for Kohler Mira, parent company of Mira Showers. It was the fourth occupier to announce its move to Worcester Six in the last few months.

Worcester Six Business Park is located off junction 6 of the M5, near Worcester. It is one of the four key investment sites across the county where Worcestershire County Council and its partners are looking to develop, creating additional jobs.

For more details about Worcester Six, visit www.worcester6.co.uk.

Work has begun on a £20 million environmentally-friendly development that will bring a leading UK kitchen and bathroom manufacturer to Worcestershire.

Kohler Mira, parent company of Mira Showers, is the fourth occupier to announce its move to Worcester Six this year, and marks a significant investment for the company, which is expanding its UK operations.

Kohler Mira already has sites in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Hull, and has selected Worcester Six for the latest phase of its UK growth.

Stoford Developments has appointed Bennimans, a Worcestershire-based contractor to construct the distribution, training and office unit site for the manufacturer. The developer expects to hand over the first phase, 158,000 sq ft unit by September (2019). A further 100,000 sq ft of space could be constructed at a later date.

Key to the sustainable development is the inclusion of a large PV solar array on the roof, which should generate up to 1MW and will help towards Kohler Mira’s aims to be carbon neutral by 2035.

Wayne Walker, Vice President of Manufacturing – Global Faucets at Kohler Co., said: “This purpose-built facility reflects both our continued investment in the UK and our commitment to sustainability and the environment.

“The new development is a result of both an increase in customer demand and the need to meet future business requirements, and makes us more agile and flexible to consumer needs.”

Stoford director, Gerard Ludlow, said: “We’re starting 2019 in positive mood as construction work begins on the Kohler Mira site at Worcester Six, adding to two key developments that were completed last year for Siemens and Kimal. It is clear this is a much-needed development that is attracting high-calibre occupiers and bringing valuable inward investment and jobs to the area. We’re looking forward to continuing work this year, bringing forward further developments and new tenants.”

Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Dr Ken Pollock, said: “Work starting on the Kohler Mira site at Worcester Six marks another step forward for this fantastically located Business Park.

“With Kimal, Siemens and Spire Healthcare already successfully established on site, we hope news of Kohler Mira’s state-of-the-art facility will help to attract further inward investment for the county of Worcestershire.”

Worcester Six Business Park is located off junction 6 of the M5, near Worcester. It is one of the four key investment sites across the county where Worcestershire County Council and its partners are looking to develop, creating additional jobs.

A leading manufacturer and supplier of products for the healthcare sector is starting 2019 on a high note after taking delivery of its new £13m headquarters at Worcester Six.

Kimal PLC is planning to move to the 140,000 sq ft unit in February after Stoford Developments delivered the design-and-build and completed practical completion on time and budget.

The handover means the company will now begin to move 77 staff from its Droitwich base into the new unit and will also retain two other centres in Bromsgrove and Uxbridge, where a further 250 staff are located.

Gerard Ludlow, director at Stoford Developments, said: “This is another milestone reached in the progress of Worcester Six and we are very pleased to sign off practical completion on this building for the international firm.

“The calibre of tenants at the development demonstrates that this is a world-class location for high-tech and innovative businesses. 2018 saw a number of exciting announcements about tenants and this year we will continue to develop and market further first-class units.  We are expecting to make another announcement during early 2019.”

Alan Press, Chairman of Kimal, said: “We are most excited to be completing our wonderful new headquarters at Worcester Six. This 140,000 sq ft is actually our seventh logistics site in Worcestershire having outgrown the previous six over the last 28 years and is a testament to the continued success of the Kimal team. We cannot wait to be in occupation.”

Real estate company Liberty Property Trust acquired the building last year from Stoford Developments, the third industrial unit in its Worcester Six portfolio.

Jane Harrison, director at Liberty Property Trust, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Kimal plc to our building and working with them to facilitate their future business growth at Worcester Six.”

Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Ken Pollock, said: “It’s great to see this hugely successful Worcestershire company expand into this ideally located business park. We are seeing more local firms expanding than ever before and new businesses making the move to Worcestershire, both helping to keep our economy thriving.”

In 2018, Stoford Developments announced that Siemens, Spire Healthcare and Kohler Mira would all be taking facilities at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

Picture caption:  (L-R): Jane Harrison, director of asset management, Liberty Property Trust; Gary Woodman, chief executive, Worcestershire LEP; Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, cabinet member responsible for economy and infrastructure, Worcestershire County Council; Mark Pettitt, chief executive officer, Kimal; Cllr Richard Morris, deputy leader of Wychavon District Council & portfolio holder for economic growth and tourism; Gerard Ludlow, director, Stoford.

A leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bathroom products has today announced plans to create a state-of-the-art distribution, training and office unit in Worcestershire.

Kohler Mira, parent company of leading UK shower brand Mira Showers, is initially investing over £20 million in the first phase of its 11.3-acre development. Phase 1 of the scheme will deliver a unit of 158,000 sq ft with a further phase delivering up to an additional 100,000 sq ft.

The scheme will be delivered by Stoford Developments at the successful Worcester Six Business Park, situated just off Jct 6 of the M5 near Worcester. Kohler Mira, owned by Kohler Co., represents the third significant inward investment into the business park from a US investor. This is particularly exciting given Kohler’s on-going global commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

The sustainable building will include high-tech features including a significant PV solar array on the roof of the building providing a sustainable energy source. Once installed the PVs could generate up to 1MW. This underlines the company’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2035.

The company, which manufactures Mira showers, taps and bathroom accessories, already has operations in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Hull, has selected Worcester Six for the latest phase of its UK growth. 

The reserved matters planning application was submitted yesterday (July 17) to Wychavon District Council after consultation with local stakeholders. Birmingham-based Stoford Developments has been appointed to deliver the first phase. 

Construction could start on site before the end of the year, subject to planning consent and would seek to deliver Phase 1 by April 2019. 

Liz Hazeldene, managing director of Kohler Mira, said: “This is an exciting opportunity that clearly reflects our continued investment in the UK.

“This purpose-built facility is a result of both an increase in customer demand and the need to meet future business requirements.”

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “Worcester Six is beginning to gain real momentum now and this major inward investment in the region by Kohler Mira demonstrates that it is being recognised as a key business location in the Midlands. 

“We have already recently announced the impending arrival of Siemens, Kimal and Spire Healthcare, and we’re excited at Kohler Mira’s commitment to invest heavily in this high quality development. We are also expecting to announce the delivery of another tenant by the end of the summer.”

Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Dr Ken Pollock, said: “It’s great to welcome Kohler Mira as the fourth business to the Worcester Six Business Park. I’m looking forward to seeing their unit take shape as, with the focus on sustainability, it will be fascinating to see the state-of-the-art facility put into action.”