All systems go for new 245,000 sq ft logistics facility in Bellshill Knight Property Group has just secured full planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £50 million logistics park at Bellshill Industrial Estate, on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility. The application was
IKEA is officially moving to Dartford after it was revealed they are behind a deal to secure a 450,000 sq ft ‘powerhouse’, but the unit will sadly not be a customer-facing store. The Swedish giants have confirmed they have signed a 15-year lease with developers on a pre-let agreement for
Works commence at the new £4 million speculative development Knight Property Group has appointed Clark Contracts as the main contractor on the second phase of speculative development at Langlands Commercial Park in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Works have commenced at the brand new £4 million property, which will comprise a
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced today that is has let the entirety of G-Park Bedford Wixams to MH Star. The major new lease encompasses over 530,000 sq ft. of space across three newly developed buildings which remain under construction. This is MH
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been appointed by Vinci Construction as the lead worktop contractor for residential scheme, New Victoria, in Manchester. The £130 million project, delivered by Muse Developments, comprises 520 apartments, with 178 one-bed, 286 two-bed and 56 three-bed properties, as well as a
Birmingham and the Midlands are to gain a major jobs boost following the start on site of one of the UK’s most significant new sustainable manufacturing and logistics schemes, delivering £355.5 million of economic value (GVA) when fully operational. The first phase of Peddimore near Minworth, is being delivered by
Hörmann UK have launched a new high speed industrial sectional door, the Series 60 which has been designed and developed to provide the Hörmann guarantee of quality construction, high security, and easy installation. When fitted with the new WA 500 FU operator, the Series 60 can achieve an impressive door
Construction starts on facility at Andover Business Park, as Berry Bros. & Rudd take space Warehouse set to be the largest fine wine storage facility for private clients in Europe Strategically-located space ideally placed to serve the South East and West of the UK Carbon-neutral site to generate its own
Legrand UK & Ireland has upgraded its range of busbars and tap-off boxes, which have been redesigned to improve efficiency and the life cycle of systems available to electrical specifiers. For those facing the challenge of futureproofing buildings, the Zucchini XCP range from Legrand is the latest collection of busbars
Green unexploded ordnance disposal company has taken space at the Innovation Centre Moorfield Group, the owner and landlord of Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks, has welcomed a new occupier, EODEX, to the Energy Park in Bridge of Don. EODEX, which specialises in the safe and environmentally friendly removal and disposal
All systems go for new 245,000 sq ft logistics facility in Bellshill Knight Property Group has just secured full planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £50 million logistics park at Bellshill Industrial Estate, on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility. The application was approved at last week’s full committee meeting. The 14-acre site will be transformed into Belgrave Logistics Park, a brand new speculative 245,000 sq ft logistics facility, with five high-quality units of 28,940 sq ft, 18,940 sq ft, 33,945 sq ft, 47,940 sq ft and 125,665 sq ft respectively. Each unit will have an EPC rating of A and further green credentials include electric car charging points, solar photovoltaics panels to the roof, all electric heat recovery / air conditioning to offices and water management flow restriction to conserve water. The site was acquired by Knight at the end of January this year, with the planning application submitted in May. James Barrack, Founder and Chairman of Knight Property Group said: “Achieving full planning consent is a significant milestone for this high-quality and well-located development. “Interest from potential occupiers has already been strong and confirms our confidence to develop speculatively in this sector and location. When complete, it will provide much-needed logistics space and has the potential to bring new business and employment opportunities to the area. “The demolition and site clearance works are now complete and we are currently in the midst of detailed discussions with several parties to select a main contractor for the development, which we hope to conclude shortly.” Marc Giles, Planning Partner at Ryden, who advised Knight, added: “The planning process was a real team effort and permission was granted well within the statutory four months determination period. We were delighted by the cooperative and positive approach from the planning officers at North Lanarkshire Council on this application. This development will bring significant economic benefit to the local area.” Belgrave Logistics Park will be situated within the popular Bellshill Industrial Estate with excellent transport links and quick access to the A725 dual carriageway which provides direct access to the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and also the M74 which is Scotland’s main road link south. Glasgow international airport is only 25 minutes drive west via the M8 motorway and Edinburgh International airport is only 40 minutes drive east. Ryden is the letting agent for Knight Property Group at Belgrave Logistics Park. Further information on can be found at: https://knightpropertygroup.co.uk/development/belgrave-logistics-park/
IKEA is officially moving to Dartford after it was revealed they are behind a deal to secure a 450,000 sq ft ‘powerhouse’, but the unit will sadly not be a customer-facing store. The Swedish giants have confirmed they have signed a 15-year lease with developers on a pre-let agreement for the massive warehouse, located at the former Littlebrook Power Station site on the south bank of the River Thames. They will be joining Amazon at the site after they recently moved into a 2.3 million sq ft ‘Mega Box’ distribution centre right next door, with the entire park undergoing fierce redevelopment to become a “critical last journey location inside the M25.” However, IKEA will not be opening a new store for customers as part of the plans, instead developing a massive new distribution centre which will “meet our customers wherever and whenever they need us.” The distribution centre in Dartford is set to serve IKEA’s stores across the UK and south east – including Greenwich, Croydon and Lakeside. A spokesperson for IKEA said they were “delighted to confirm” they would be moving into a unit at The Power House project in Dartford. “This exciting investment forms part of our ongoing transformation to become even more affordable, accessible and sustainable, accelerating our omnichannel approach to meet our customers wherever and whenever they need us, irrespective of where they live or whether they visit us in-store or online.” The ‘450@thepowerhouse’ unit is currently under construction, and it is not yet know when the site will be opening or how many jobs will be created. Adjacent to the IKEA site, Amazon have just moved into their own distribution centre at the old Littlebrook power station site, a vast £200 million build on a 45-acre plot of land. The move is part of an expansion for the retail titans, with around 1,3000 new jobs created locally in a welcome boost for the area. Workers are even being offered a £1,000 starting bonus amid worker struggles. With IKEA and Amazon m the former Littlebrook power station next to the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing, The impressive unit in Dartford has been pre-let to IKEA by Bericote and Titrax Big Box who are leading the major regeneration of the area located adjacent to the QE2 Bridge and Dartford Tunnel on the south bank of the Thames. Titrax Big Box say the location will mean it’s project, a “rare asset so close to the heart of London,” will benefit from “exceptional transport connectivity via motorway, rail and water, excellent infrastructure, significant power provision and a robust labour market.” Jonathan Maher, development director at Bericote, said: “This letting underpins Bericote’s ongoing commitment to creating highly specified, modern and adaptable industrial and logistics solutions in strategic locations across the UK. “The pre-letting during construction of this speculative development underlines the strength of the market and the very attractive attributes of the site and we look forward to repeating the same success for the next phase of the development.” Charlie Withers, director of development for Tritax Management, added: “Securing a 15-year letting at thepowerhouse to another high quality occupier, further validates our strategic focus on development. “The new tenant, will join Amazon at what is becoming the preeminent logistics location in the UK’s South East.” Plans were submitted in June for the third phase of the project, and developers of the park also say they have allocated 30% of the overall Littlebrook site for permanent open space and habitat creation for wildlife. IKEA added: “As we continue to step up our sustainability commitments, guided by our established strategy to become People & Planet Positive by 2030, we were also attracted by the site’s significant biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation plans, which have informed the UK Green Building Council’s Nature Based Solutions best practice guidance for the industry.”
Works commence at the new £4 million speculative development Knight Property Group has appointed Clark Contracts as the main contractor on the second phase of speculative development at Langlands Commercial Park in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. Works have commenced at the brand new £4 million property, which will comprise a flexible 23,980 sq ft high-quality industrial warehouse, with 1,980 sq ft of office space, 10m eaves height, air conditioning to the offices, two electrically operated roller shutter doors and electric car charging points. With a target EPC rating of ‘A’, the main frame of the building is a steel portal frame construction and features high performance wall and roof cladding. There will be 20 car parking spaces, along with an extensive yard extending to 35,585 sq ft. The construction process will take seven months and is due for completion in April 2022. Howard Crawshaw, Managing Director of Knight Property Group said: “It is fantastic to see Clark Contracts start works at this development and we look forward to seeing it all taking shape over the next seven months. This next phase will see an initial site start consisting of excavations and the formation of foundations for the steelwork structure plus commencement of external works for yard and parking. “The continued strength of the industrial and logistics market in the central belt of Scotland and the enquiries thus far, particularly in Lanarkshire gave us confidence to push ahead speculatively with the second phase of this development.” Michael Scanlan, Director of Clark Contracts added: “We have extensive experience of industrial developments and are very excited to be appointed on this contract. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the team from Knight Property Group and delivering a high quality end product.” Langlands Commercial Park is located within the well-established Kelvin South and Langlands industrial areas of East Kilbride, adjacent to Sainsbury’s logistics facility. The site is prominently situated with excellent frontage to the A726 Strathaven Road, linking to the town centre and Hurlawcrook Road and has excellent connectivity to Scotland’s main motorway network serving central Scotland and beyond. Alan Gilkison, Partner at letting agent Ryden said: “Langlands provides an excellent location for businesses involved in the industrial and logistics sector and we anticipate strong interest in this development from a range of occupiers.” Ryden and Gerald Eve are joint agents for Knight Property Group at Langlands Commercial Park. The architect is Space Solutions. Click HERE for further information or visit: https://knightpropertygroup.co.uk/development/langlands-commercial-park-phase-4/
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced today that is has let the entirety of G-Park Bedford Wixams to MH Star. The major new lease encompasses over 530,000 sq ft. of space across three newly developed buildings which remain under construction. This is MH Star’s first lease with GLP in the UK having previously leased space with the company in Spain. G-Park Bedford Wixams is being developed on a speculative basis by GLP and comprises three buildings of 125,000 sq ft., 160,000 sq ft. and 250,000 sq ft. It is the largest single development in Bedfordshire and is an ideal location for logistics with easy access to both the M1 and A1. MH Star UK, a London-based ecommerce company specialising in the home, outdoors and beyond, have been building their brand reputation since 2010; in particular seeing a significant uptake in customer demand since the beginning of last year. The new development will assist with the company’s continued progress, supporting them at this key moment in ecommerce where both customer and key chain demand increases at an exceedingly fast-paced rate. MH Star UK has experienced rapid growth over the last year, accelerated by the consumer shift to e-commerce following the Covid-19 pandemic. The development was undertaken in response to unprecedented demand stemming from the continued growth of ecommerce and a need for increased supply chain resilience. The construction of G-Park Bedford Wixams forms part of GLP’s ongoing expansion plan across the UK and Europe. In the UK, GLP recently announced the development of a further 2.3 million sq ft of space across a range of sites in addition to the 1 million sq ft of space announced in January. As with all GLP developments, industry-leading sustainability features are delivered as standard including 12% less embodied carbon than industry standard and 15% less operational carbon in day-to-day operations. The buildings have been developed to a BREEAM Excellent rating and are WELL ready. Adrienne Howells, Development Director, GLP said: “This year is one of the busiest that GLP has had in its history. Over the course of this year, GLP will be on site developing over 3 million sq. ft. of warehouse space across the UK. This landmark letting of all three buildings at G-Park Bedford Wixams, ahead of practical completion, speaks to the continued strength of the logistics real estate market and the quality of the space that GLP produces. Our focus remains to deliver on our ambitious development programme to continue to support customers like MH star. We look forward to working with them as they occupy these three exceptional-quality buildings.” Arvind Panchmatia, General Manager, MH Star added: “As more consumers adapt their spending habits and shift to e-commerce, it has been increasingly important for us to source high-quality warehousing solutions so that we can effectively respond to ever-increasing demand. G-Park Wixams delivered on every aspect, from modern, flexible office spaces to renewable energy provisions and welfare facilities for employees. “It has been a pleasure working with GLP, and we are delighted to be leasing all the units at the scheme. This new site will put us in a strong position to drive forward MH Star UK’s expansion as the business continues to grow and evolve.” Knight Frank acted for MH Star whilst Cushman & Wakefield, Savills, Brown & Lee acted for GLP.
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been appointed by Vinci Construction as the lead worktop contractor for residential scheme, New Victoria, in Manchester. The £130 million project, delivered by Muse Developments, comprises 520 apartments, with 178 one-bed, 286 two-bed and 56 three-bed properties, as well as a 6,000 sq. ft commercial space. “As the only dedicated high-rise residential worktop supplier in the UK, we’re really excited to be a part of this high-profile project. Working on this large-scale scheme in the heart of Manchester is a great reflection of our hard-working and dedicated team, as well as our business’ fast-paced growth. We’re really looking forward to seeing this project come together,” said Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited. Roann Limited is supplying Silestone Blanco Norte 20mm for all kitchen worktops, upstands and splash backs, and Reginox Ohio 40×40 sinks in Atlantic Grey powder coated finish, to the entire 450,000 sq. ft residential component. Scheduled for completion in 2024, Roann Limited will begin installing a sample apartment in early September, before full site works begin in November 2021. “There was a lot of competition for the works, but Roann Limited stood out from the crowd. They made the whole pre-contract process a smooth and easy one and have continued to work with us now they’re involved in the scheme. Along with their pro-active attitude – they price competitively which made our decision to work with them an easy one,” added Gordon Maudsley, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Vinci Construction. Established in 1990, Roann Limited specialises in manufacturing, supplying, and installing high-quality granite and quartz worktops within the house building, property development and construction sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience, Roann Limited is dedicated to procuring stone worktops that help developers significantly reduce costs on their projects by selling direct to them. Roann Limited’s purpose-built factory in Wakefield houses more than £2 million worth of state-of-the-art stone manufacturing machines and equipment, enabling the business to fabricate more than 15,000 worktops every year. Roann Limited proudly holds accreditations with many of the industry’s leading health & safety schemes, including SSIP certification, and is also ConstructionOnline Gold Approved.
Birmingham and the Midlands are to gain a major jobs boost following the start on site of one of the UK’s most significant new sustainable manufacturing and logistics schemes, delivering £355.5 million of economic value (GVA) when fully operational. The first phase of Peddimore near Minworth, is being delivered by IM Properties in partnership with Birmingham City Council and will see appointed contractor, Winvic Construction, begin strategic infrastructure works including a new roundabout on the A38, for a June 2022 completion. IM Properties is already in detailed discussions with an occupier who will create in excess of 1000 jobs, contributing to the thousands of direct and indirect jobs expected to be created through occupiers and related supply chains across the lifetime of the scheme. Designed to deliver a lasting economic and social benefit to the region, IM Properties has already started to deliver an extensive social value programme, supporting four social value charity partners and setting up a £270,000 Peddimore Community Fund. This has so far awarded grants totalling nearly £42,000 to 20 grassroots organisations in the surrounding area. The social value charity partners include St Basils, The Pioneer Group, JERRICHO & Witton Lodge. In addition to the main site infrastructure works and spine roads, a Green Travel District will be created promoting cycling and walking to work. Once the build phase begins, and subject to occupier specifications IM Properties will be targeting a minimum of Net Zero in Construction. These ambitions form part of IM Properties’ future sustainability strategy, with aims for BREEAM excellent ratings across buildings with a continued focus on health & wellbeing, alongside plans for climate change resilience, the use of low carbon renewable energy sources, smart grid technology and improved water efficiency across new developments. IM Properties has already committed over £30m of investment into the site infrastructure which will enable the scheme to play a vital role in Birmingham’s green recovery as its UK development director, Kevin Ashfield explains: “Peddimore represents a major milestone for IM Properties and will be a huge legacy site for all involved, creating an industry benchmark for future employment schemes from the delivery of important local social value to the sustainability ambitions for the buildings and wider site environment. ‘’From an early stage, we’ve been engaging with key stakeholders to ensure we deliver a lasting economic asset, which yields opportunities for the business community as well as those seeking employment, skills and training. “At a strategic level, this includes working alongside Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Complemented by local relationships and initiatives we’re developing a robust employment and skills plan that can endure through all stages of our delivery.” Andy Reynolds, project director for IM Properties added: “Winvic Construction is a trusted supply chain partner and equally committed to our social value and sustainability agenda. They will be working from day one to open up opportunities for local SME’s, social enterprises, young people and individuals looking to gain new skills, with on-site training facilities providing valuable experience towards achieving employment.” Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “Peddimore is an exciting development for our city which will capitalise on our strategic location within the country, and create thousands of jobs in sustainable manufacturing and logistics schemes. “Birmingham’s green economic recovery from the pandemic can help to drive the economic recovery of the whole country, and Peddimore will be at the heart of this. I am proud that Birmingham City Council has partnered with IM Properties and Winvic to deliver this scheme which will provide high quality, sustainable jobs for Birmingham, and is already making a difference through the Peddimore Community Fund.” Rob Cook, Winvic’s director of civils and infrastructure, said: “Having worked with IM Properties on a number of its projects we have gained much experience of how they engage positively with local communities. We are delighted to already be working with a number of its partners to deliver our social value commitments, also donating time and money to the community and local charities.” “The programme of civils and strategic infrastructure works is significant across the 71-hectare site, however with our experience of undertaking similar projects, we are confident of delivering on budget and to schedule.”
Hörmann UK have launched a new high speed industrial sectional door, the Series 60 which has been designed and developed to provide the Hörmann guarantee of quality construction, high security, and easy installation. When fitted with the new WA 500 FU operator, the Series 60 can achieve an impressive door opening speed of up to 1 m/s making it the fastest sectional door on the market. Not only does the Series 60 door offer an exceptional opening speed, but optimised track radii and enlarged rollers result in up to 5 dB(A) quieter door operation together with improved stability, leading to low wear and smoother door travel. Easy fitting and maintenance are aided by reduced components and the provision of press-fitted screws, whilst transition sleeves provide a precise fitting of the track and radius. The door is delivered factory set to the optimum speed but can be easily adjusted and the speed varied to suit individual operational requirements. For added security anti-lift kits are fitted on both sides of the bottom section of the door as standard, and optional RC 2 security measures are available according to DIN/TS 18194. Operator safety is enhanced by the inclusion of an in-line light grill which automatically stops the door if an obstruction occurs whilst the door is closing. The new WA 500 FU operator features soft-start and soft-stop for gentle, smooth door travel, and constant travel speed for both high-lift and vertical track applications. The set-up and commissioning of the Series 60 door is fast and simple with the provision of an innovative Bluetooth app. Accessible using either a mobile phone or tablet, the app provides users with friendly, easy to follow step-by-step instructions and also provides straightforward fault finding and diagnostic data. As part of their strategy to improve and optimise warehouse operations, Hörmann UK are installing four Series 60 doors and WA 500 FU operators at their Coalville headquarters. The doors, which will each measure 5m wide x 4.5m high, incorporate a 42mm insulated panel and triple glazed vision panels providing excellent thermal properties. Kerry Seager, Operations Manager at Hörmann UK comments, “The past 9 months have seen an increased level of vehicle movements in and out of our Coalville facility as our levels of business continue to grow. When it came to replacing our existing sectional doors in our four loading bays the Series 60 was the obviously choice. Not only will they provide us with the opportunity to speed up and streamline our operations, but they will also help to lower ventilation heat loss. Speed and ease of installation is also a crucial factor as we are limited to amount of downtime available for each loading bay, with around 200 vehicle movements in and out the facility on a daily basis there is no room for delay.” To find your local Hörmann please visit Industrial Sectional Doors Industrial Doors from Hörmann (hormann.co.uk) or call 01530 516868
Construction starts on facility at Andover Business Park, as Berry Bros. & Rudd take space Warehouse set to be the largest fine wine storage facility for private clients in Europe Strategically-located space ideally placed to serve the South East and West of the UK Carbon-neutral site to generate its own energy supply Goodman has broken ground on a 117,500 sq ft warehouse at Andover Business Park for Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd. The bespoke warehouse is set to be the largest fine wine storage facility for private clients in Europe, with the capacity to store more than 14 million bottles of wine at optimum temperature in a humidity-controlled environment. Spanning almost 100 acres of highly sought after serviced land, Andover Business Park is ideally placed to serve the South East and West of the UK. A prime e-commerce and distribution destination, already home to the Co-operative Group and global bakery firm Rich Products, those operating from the area benefit from direct access to the A303 and close proximity to the M25, A303 and A34, providing links to Southampton via the M4 and M40. The leading-edge facility will be carbon neutral, generating its own energy supply alongside utilising rainwater harvesting and electric vehicle (EV) charging points. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Our approach is to meet the increasing demand for strategically located logistics space with easy access to large consumer markets. “This site at Andover Business Park is set to become the largest fine wine storage facility in Europe. On completion, it will provide Berry Bros. & Rudd with state-of-the-art, flexible and carbon neutral space to service their clients’ rising demand.” Edward Rudd, Business Investment Director for Berry Bros. & Rudd, added: “To offer the largest fine wine storage facility for private clients in Europe will help us realise our ambition to support fine wine collecting now and in the future. We are delighted to make this investment to position the UK as a leader in Europe and the world for fine wine collecting.” Winvic’s Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, Danny Nelson, commented: “We have a lot of experience with temperature-controlled facilities, so we’re delighted to be working with long-standing client Goodman once again on this cutting-edge fine wine storage warehouse. “This project offers us the opportunity to showcase our strong BIM Level 2 skills and digital design resource – as well as expertise in delivering carbon neutral projects – and we are looking forward to delivering this ultra-secure facility in Andover for Berry Bros. & Rudd.” Goodman and its construction partner Winvic are delivering the facility, with Berry Bros. & Rudd set to be operational in Summer 2022.
Legrand UK & Ireland has upgraded its range of busbars and tap-off boxes, which have been redesigned to improve efficiency and the life cycle of systems available to electrical specifiers. For those facing the challenge of futureproofing buildings, the Zucchini XCP range from Legrand is the latest collection of busbars and tap-off boxes for efficient power distribution for multi-occupancy residential, commercial and industrial applications. Designed to lower energy consumption and losses, the new XCP-HP (High Performance) busbar delivers significant energy cost savings and helps to reduce the environmental impact of the building in which it is installed. According to Legrand, specifiers face increasing pressure to deliver electrical systems which keep up with changing power requirements and efficiency credentials. Paul Martin, Lead Marketing Manager for Legrand’s Power Distribution business unit, explains the importance of specifying suitable solutions: “We are more reliant than ever on equipment in buildings and yet professionals in the sector are required to deliver on more stringent efficiency measures. The new XCP range provides an update to match the fast-changing power requirements that all buildings across the country are experiencing. With more use of electrical equipment, there is a need for all manner of power distribution solutions which can keep up with the changing demands across its lifespan.” To support the futureproofing of buildings from a safety perspective, the range can be quickly installed and visually inspected for correct connections due to the shear off bolt connections. This can reduce the risk of bad connections which cause over heating problems. The XCP range is also available with a two-times rated neutral phase conductor option, helping to mitigate the addition of electronic devices into a building. This option helps specifiers ensure the system keeps up with the ever-changing electrical demand and does not overheat due to electrical imbalances. Given every project has different requirements, the entire range comes with a comprehensive, market-leading selection of plastic and metal tap-off boxes, rated 25- 250A and 63-630A respectively. To further suit different levels of specification, the range is complemented with the XCP-S (Standard) busbar, to give projects a more cost-effective specification. Paul says: “With safety and long-term efficiency key for consultants, the XCP range gives peace of mind that a building’s power distribution is futureproofed and remains cost-effective for the duration of the building’s life cycle. Suited to all manner of projects and the varying power outputs they require across sites, we aim to give specifiers everything they require from one high power range.” For more information on Legrand’s range of Zucchini XCP busbars, visit: https://www.legrand.co.uk/products/power-distribution/zucchini/busbar-systems/
Green unexploded ordnance disposal company has taken space at the Innovation Centre Moorfield Group, the owner and landlord of Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks, has welcomed a new occupier, EODEX, to the Energy Park in Bridge of Don. EODEX, which specialises in the safe and environmentally friendly removal and disposal of unexploded ordnance (UXO) around the world is opening its first Scottish base at Unit 2 of the Innovation Centre and has agreed an initial one-year lease. EODEX, which operates worldwide and whose main UK operational base is in Portsmouth, supports offshore and underwater projects by offering the very latest in world-class, capabilities to deliver safe UXO disposal solutions, to support any offshore or underwater project. EODEX also provides precise explosive cutting systems for underwater decommissioning projects. EODEX is at the heart of the #StopSeaBlasts campaign, which champions the use of this gentle and environmentally-friendly form of bomb disposal. The campaign is being spearheaded by actress and environmental campaigner Joanna Lumley. The EODEX UXO removal and disposal technique is optimised to offer the most gentle form of maritime bomb disposal and avoid detonation of seabed munitions whenever possible. EODEX is the only commercial organisation with unique access to the world’s leading Low Order Deflagration system which has a proven track history of 1000’s of successful firings. In use with the bomb disposal teams of the Royal Navy, US Navy and 15 of the worlds other leading military forces, EODEX provide this system for use where commercial EOD is required such as Offshore Wind Farms, interconnector routes or other marine intrusive projects. It offers a massive decrease in explosive noise through the water and is significantly less harmful to whales, dolphins and all other forms of sea life. EODEX’s Aberdeen base will concentrate on projects in the North Sea and Scottish waters. It will serve as a hub for three employees initially, but this is expected to increase as the UK and global economy transitions from oil consumption to renewables, a shift set to increase the demand for EODEX’s sustainable technologies. Bernie Morrison, Executive Director of EODEX said: “Green energy is the way forward and seabed operations to locate, classify and safely dispose of UXO’s has grown considerably following the increase in global demand for renewable energy development. “The growth in the renewables sector in Scotland and globally brings enormous potential for our business to grow and develop from our Aberdeen base. “The new office provides the perfect location and has everything we need to provide our team with a positive working environment together.” Hugh Canham, Head of Asset Management at Moorfield Group added: “This deal is yet another boost for our reputation as a key business location within Aberdeen and the North East region. It is testament to the quality of our workspaces that dynamic new occupiers like EODEX recognise the value in the flexible office solutions that we have available here at the Parks. “As pandemic restrictions start to ease, we anticipate increased occupier demand for space at the Parks. We provide occupiers and their staff with the perfect safe office solutions within a spacious and green environment, ideally suited to support health and well-being, the vital importance of which has been highlighted over the past 18 months.” Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks comprise 200,000 sq ft of multi-let office and industrial space for more than 80 companies and a workforce of nearly 2,000 employees in the Bridge of Don area of Aberdeen. The Innovation Centre offers occupiers a modern serviced office centre that provides a mix of two to ten-person serviced office suites on highly flexible terms. The park offers ample car parking and electric charging points. It is conveniently located, approximately three miles north of Aberdeen city centre and close to the Aberdeen Western Periphery Route. Knight Frank and Ryden are joint agents for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks.
