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Commercial : Industrial News

Knight Property Group appoints Muir Construction as the main contractor at the first two phases of Belgrave Logistics Park

Kenneth Booth February 4, 2022

Construction begins on new £50 million speculative development in Bellshill Knight Property Group has appointed Fife-based Muir Construction as the main contractor on the first two phases of it’s speculative development at Belgrave Logistics Park, in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. Planning consent was granted in September and works have commenced at

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Panattoni Underway with Speculative Logistics Facility at Borehamwood

Panattoni Underway with Speculative Logistics Facility at Borehamwood

Cristina Diaconu February 3, 2022

Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has begun speculatively developing a 142,000 sq ft logistics facility at Panattoni Park Borehamwood. The new logistics facility will complete the development of Panattoni Park Borehamwood on a 17-acre site, which is located inside the M25, less than a mile from

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Redeveloped industrial estate welcomes new tenants

Kenneth Booth February 1, 2022

The comprehensive redevelopment of Montagu Industrial Estate in Edmonton is continuing apace, with the completion of the first phase of its transformation into modern, sustainable industrial and logistics scheme, Workstown. The £150 million joint venture is replacing dilapidated, out-of-date buildings with modern, more energy efficient spaces for local small to medium

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Panattoni Leases Farnborough 170 to DFS Furniture

Panattoni Leases Farnborough 170 to DFS Furniture

Cristina Diaconu February 1, 2022

In just 11 months since acquiring the former Benthalls warehouse site in Farnborough, Panattoni has developed a 170,000 sq ft logistics facility and let the entire unit to DFS Furniture on a long-term lease, highlighting the speed and success of its speculative build strategy in the UK. DFS commenced its

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Green light for first phase of Begbroke Science Park expansion

Kenneth Booth January 31, 2022

New research buildings will meet innovation needs of the future Oxford University Development (OUD) today confirms reserved matters planning consent has been granted for the first phase of its Begbroke Science Park expansion, which comprises two new state-of-the-art research buildings. This first phase of the scheme will bring forward new

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Prologis acquires more prime logistics space in Coventry

Kenneth Booth January 31, 2022

Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has acquired an additional building at its highly successful logistics park in Coventry, further strengthening its holdings in a core location. The 56,000 sq. ft. building, which is let to UK Flooring Direct until 2025, has been acquired for a

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Latest Issue
Issue 335 : Dec 2025

Commercial : Industrial News

Goodman launches 500,000 sq ft of next-generation logistics space in M25 distribution hotspot+

Kenneth Booth February 8, 2022

Goodman completes 500,000 sq ft Crossways Commercial Park, Dartford M25-adjacent location places 10.4 million consumers within a 60-minute HGV drive-time, with a purchasing power of £268.1 billion* One of Goodman’s most sustainable UK developments and the first to feature full rooftop solar PV Properties available for immediate occupation To meet rising demand for sustainable logistics space with easy access to consumer markets, Goodman has launched a 500,000 sq ft site in M25 e-commerce hotspot, Dartford. This is the first of its UK portfolio to feature full rooftops of solar PV as it accelerates its commitment to low carbon technologies. Available for immediate occupation and comprising three high-specification units of 240,884 sq ft, 138,062 sq ft and 101,659 sq ft, Crossways Commercial Park offers state-of-the-art facilities for customers across retail, e-commerce and logistics. With direct access to Junction 1a of the M25, the site’s fast connections to London and the national motorway network place 10.4 million consumers within a 60-minute HGV drive-time with a purchasing power of £268.1 billion*. Kent’s excellent freight links to the Channel Tunnel, Port of Dover and London Thamesport also make the facilities ideal for businesses serving UK, European and international markets. Crossways Commercial Park is among Goodman’s most sustainable UK developments and is the first to feature a full rooftop array of solar photovoltaics (PV) across each building. The 2.2MW system will generate a combined annual power output of almost two million kWh – equivalent to removing 435 tons of carbon from the atmosphere or planting 20,727 trees. Designed to support customers decarbonise their operations, Crossways Commercial Park features solar thermal hot water, solar heating for office areas and other sustainable features including electric vehicle (EV) charging points, infrastructure for EV fleets, rainwater harvesting and smart metering, to help monitor and reduce energy consumption. Delivered to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and achieving an A+ energy rating, each building also features a carbon neutral cladding system, designed to meet ‘chill-store’ and ambient product storage requirements. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Crossways Commercial Park is a prime example of Goodman’s global focus on delivering sustainable properties that utilise the latest innovations in design, construction and energy generation. “Not only is it our most sustainable property in the UK, but it sets a standard for future properties we will be developing. Its strategic location is also set to drive supply chain efficiencies for our customers, placing them closer to consumers which in turn drives down transport emissions.” The launch of Crossways Commercial Park also follows Goodman UK achieving a 5 Star Rating in the Development benchmark by GRESB, a leading sustainability assessment for the real estate sector.    Glennie added: “Through developments such as Crossways Commercial Park, we are realising our ambition to deliver properties that can meet our customers’ needs now and into the future.” Crossways Commercial Park adds to Dartford’s reputation as a thriving distribution and supply chain destination, with more than 4,000 people employed in logistics and e-commerce**. Part of an established business park spanning 300-acres, the development offers customers excellent on-site amenities in an attractive, landscaped setting. Employees will also benefit from a range of dedicated public transport options, helping to support recruitment and staff retention. Gavin Cleary, CEO at Locate in Kent, said, “We welcome this outstanding new facility in Dartford. Goodman is not only meeting the demand for high quality, well connected space in Kent, but is also responding to the very strong desire from international companies to have sustainable, environmentally-conscious and future-facing facilities in the UK. “This investment once again demonstrates why Kent is perfectly placed for logistics and distribution companies wishing to expand operations and maximise their potential.” For further information and to enquire about Crossways 102, 138 and 241, please visit:  https://uk.goodman.com/properties-for-lease/crossways-commercial-park.

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KEYLAND LEASES HULL SITE FOR ONE OF EUROPE’S LARGEST BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES

Kenneth Booth February 7, 2022

Harmony Energy Signs 40 Year Lease Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, has agreed a 40 year lease to Harmony Energy for the construction of a battery storage facility at a five acre site adjacent to Creyke Beck substation in Cottingham near Hull. When constructed it will be one of the largest battery storage facilities in Europe. Harmony Energy has secured planning consent from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a total of 100MW of battery storage. The development will enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when customers need power most, helping the UK transition to net zero. Yorkshire-based Harmony Energy develops, builds, owns, and operates utility-scale renewable energy assets across the UK. The new facility will have the capacity to store up to 200MWh of power to feed directly back onto the network via the adjacent Creyke Beck substation, making the site’s location ideal for this development. Peter Garrett, Managing Director at Keyland Developments, said: “We’re very pleased to get this deal across the line; the energy sector represents an exciting new business area for us to explore and we look forward to sourcing further opportunities from within Kelda Group’s extensive landholding.” Keyland Developments was advised by Carter Jonas’ Infrastructure and Energy team. Carter Jonas’ energy specialist Simon Currie said: ”We are delighted to have advised Keyland on the development and promotion of this significant energy development site. The project is a prime example of the opportunity that presents itself to landowners and developers with sites adjacent to major grid substations, given the increasing demand for energy storage and frequency management on the grid.” Keyland Developments Ltd is the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water. Keyland has been operating across Yorkshire for over 20 years, regenerating Yorkshire Water’s redundant sites. In addition to its work transforming former Yorkshire Water land, the team also works alongside independent landowners, corporates or regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites in order to facilitate regeneration by securing planning consent for future use.

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HE SIMM GROUP LAUNCHES NEW OFFSITE BUSINESS AND INVESTS £1M IN A NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY

Kenneth Booth February 7, 2022

The HE Simm Group – one of the UK’s leading engineering and services businesses – has invested £1m in a new-state-of-the-art 21,000 sq ft facility, to build on its ever-expanding order book for MEP prefabricated solutions. To be known in the marketplace as Pinnacle Offsite, the business, which is being led by Ernie Price, a prefabrication specialist with over 20 years’ experience, has been launched off the back of continued and sustained demand for prefabricated solutions from its UK-wide customers. The use of prefabrication has been growing year-on-year and is expected to see further growth between now and 2025. In fact, only last year, a leading global management consultancy firm predicted that the UK could be one of the modular construction industry’s principal markets for growth, with the prefabricated building market expected to grow by 8 per cent between 2019-2025. The facility, based in Walsall in the West Midlands is already working on the production of prefabricated solutions for customers the length and breadth of the country. Solutions include the manufacturing of packaged plant rooms, plant skid modules, MEP lateral and riser modules and prefabricated utility cupboards. Commenting on the news, Gareth Simm, HE Simm Group’s CEO, says: “This is a major milestone for us. As we have grown, we have seen a distinct rise in demand from our customer base for prefabricated solutions.   “Our investment in the facility and in the Pinnacle Offsite business overall proves our commitment to this offering, which will enhance what we can provide as a leading MEP player. “Ernie is a specialist in this field, and we have no doubt that he will make a real success of it. He will work closely with Greg Simm and Marcus Wallis – Managing Directors of our Engineering business in the North and South respectively, to make sure that our bids always comprise, wherever possible, a prefabricated solution. Greg Simm, the Executive member of the Group responsible for Pinnacle Offsite, adds: “This really is very exciting. We’re delighted with the investment we’ve made, with the facility that’s already up and running, and with the team we have in place. We’re looking forward to becoming well known in the marketplace for our innovation in this area and to growing it over the coming years.” HE Simm is one of the UK’s leading engineering and services businesses. It operates in sectors including residential, commercial, education and healthcare for customers across the UK. For more information about the company visit www.hesimm.co.uk

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Knight Property Group appoints Muir Construction as the main contractor at the first two phases of Belgrave Logistics Park

Kenneth Booth February 4, 2022

Construction begins on new £50 million speculative development in Bellshill Knight Property Group has appointed Fife-based Muir Construction as the main contractor on the first two phases of it’s speculative development at Belgrave Logistics Park, in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. Planning consent was granted in September and works have commenced at the brand new £50 million development on the 14-arce site of the former Devro manufacturing facility. The first two phases will comprise four high-quality units of 19,191 sq ft, 29,272 sq ft, 34,290 sq ft, and 48,405 sq ft respectively. A final fifth unit of 126,795 sq ft will follow in phase three to reach circa 245,000 sq ft in total for the park. Each unit will have an EPC rating of ‘A’ and will be BREEAM accredited. Further green credentials include electric car charging points, solar photovoltaics panels to the roof, all electric heat recovery / air conditioning to offices, electricity for the units will come from a 100% renewable source and water management flow restriction is provided to conserve water use. The construction process for phases one and two started in January and are due for completion in quarter three this year. Howard Crawshaw, Managing Director of Knight Property Group said: “We are pleased to see Muir Construction commence works at this exciting new logistics park. As well as having a host of sustainability features, this development has the potential to bring much-needed business and employment opportunities to the area.” “We are confident that it will generate strong interest, as there remains significant demand in the market for this type of property and occupier requirements remain strong, particularly around Scotland’s ‘golden triangle’ where the development is located.” Patrick Reel, Joint Managing Director of Muir Construction added: “Having worked with Knight Property Group over a number of years, we are delighted to be appointed again and look forward to successfully delivering the first two phases at Belgrave later this year. “We currently have 30 personnel on site, including 25 ground and plant operators, plus five from the management team. The works currently being carried out are principally ground works, foundations and drainage, in preparation for the first of the steel being delivered next week.” 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. Alan Gilkison, Partner at letting agent Ryden said: “This development provides much-needed logistics and distribution space in the central belt of Scotland. We have already noted positive Interest from a range of potential occupiers seeking high-quality, well-located space.” Ryden is the letting agent for Knight Property Group at Belgrave Logistics Park. Further information on can be found HERE

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Panattoni Underway with Speculative Logistics Facility at Borehamwood

Panattoni Underway with Speculative Logistics Facility at Borehamwood

Cristina Diaconu February 3, 2022

Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has begun speculatively developing a 142,000 sq ft logistics facility at Panattoni Park Borehamwood. The new logistics facility will complete the development of Panattoni Park Borehamwood on a 17-acre site, which is located inside the M25, less than a mile from the A1 and two miles from junction 23 of the M25. This makes it a prime opportunity for occupiers looking at serving the London and south east markets. It is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year. “Panattoni Park Borehamwood is a fantastic location for an urban logistics occupier serving London and an excellent base for a national logistics operation requiring access to the south east,” said Anthony Watkins, Development Director at Panattoni. The development will benefit from an extensive 48m yard, 13 dock doors, 6 level access doors, 94 car parking spaces and impressive 15m clear internal height. The unit will be built to a targeted BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ with many sustainable features such as EV van and car charging points, 15% roof lights, LED lights and rain water harvesting systems. The first phase of development at the park comprised a pre-let, 36,000 sq ft facility for UK Power Network and a 159,000 sq ft facility, which is available for occupation. Buckingham Group Contracting has been appointed as main contractor, while the letting agents are JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.

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Redeveloped industrial estate welcomes new tenants

Kenneth Booth February 1, 2022

The comprehensive redevelopment of Montagu Industrial Estate in Edmonton is continuing apace, with the completion of the first phase of its transformation into modern, sustainable industrial and logistics scheme, Workstown. The £150 million joint venture is replacing dilapidated, out-of-date buildings with modern, more energy efficient spaces for local small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Enfield Council’s Leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan and the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, Cllr Mary Maguire, met council officers who have worked on the project and a team from property developer HBD, the council’s joint-venture partner. They joined a tour of the scheme on Monday 24 January to view the completed first phase, which comprises nine industrial units totalling 60,000 sq. ft. of new space. Two thirds of the completed phase is already let or under offer. One of the new tenants, Hived, (pictured) is the first mass-market, zero emission parcel delivery provider, offering greener and cheaper solutions from warehouses directly to customers. Cllr Maguire said: “Montagu Industrial Estate is transforming into a modern, fit-for-purpose and accessible site welcoming businesses that are at the forefront of manufacturing and logistics. The development will also have a significant impact on the local community, helping with the creation of a variety of high-quality jobs within the borough and new opportunities for innovative businesses. I am also extremely happy to see that as well as providing new homes for existing and expanding local companies, we are also welcoming new businesses such as Hived to the area.” Adrian Schofield, Senior Director and Head of Region at HBD, said: “We have seen strong interest in Workstown from a wide-range of businesses, from start-ups through to larger companies –  70 per cent of the scheme was under offer before completion, which reflects the quality of the development. It is a fantastic regeneration project and we look forward to bringing forward the further phases of the redevelopment.” Located just north of the A406, the 29-acre scheme is being redeveloped in phases to create more than 350,000 sq. ft. of employment space. The transformation is part of the Council’s ongoing and wider regeneration of the Edmonton area to create new opportunities, support employment and establish a new business community. The revamp of the estate is expected to create hundreds of new jobs, a significant boost for Edmonton. The estate, which housed some units from the 1950s has suffered from anti-social behaviour and unauthorised activities on the site, which has had a detrimental impact on surrounding residential areas. The next phases and compulsory purchase order are scheduled to be discussed at March’s Cabinet meeting. An overall masterplan will show how the remaining phases will be delivered.

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Panattoni Leases Farnborough 170 to DFS Furniture

Panattoni Leases Farnborough 170 to DFS Furniture

Cristina Diaconu February 1, 2022

In just 11 months since acquiring the former Benthalls warehouse site in Farnborough, Panattoni has developed a 170,000 sq ft logistics facility and let the entire unit to DFS Furniture on a long-term lease, highlighting the speed and success of its speculative build strategy in the UK. DFS commenced its fit out within the building in December. As demand for large logistics facilities in the UK continues unabated, Panattoni is helping some of the largest companies to expand their operations by developing high-spec logistics facilities at scale in some of the most strategically important locations around the country. Located on the M3 corridor, Farnborough 170 serves Europe’s largest consumer markets and was one of the only large units speculatively delivered in the Thames Valley in 2021. Commenting on the project, Alex Mitchell, Development Associate at Panattoni, said: “The letting of the speculatively developed Farnborough 170 to DFS Furniture in such a short period from our purchase of the land to development of the facility is indicative of the high demand that we’re experiencing from tenants for immediately available logistics space and justifies our commitment to a speculative development programme in the UK”. In 2017, Panattoni made a UK-wide commitment to speculatively develop more than 3 million sq ft of space annually, purchasing new sites and committing to development straightaway. Panattoni now dominates the logistics development market in the UK, speculatively developing 5 million sq ft annually, on average, to meet the growing occupier demand for space. Panattoni Farnborough 170 has been built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ with low carbon in mind, using technology such as roof-mounted, mono-crystalline photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels. It also has a 15m clear internal height, 12 dock doors, nine level access doors and up to 2.5 MVA of power. Letting agents on the scheme were DTRE and Savills. DFS was advised by Savills.

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Green light for first phase of Begbroke Science Park expansion

Kenneth Booth January 31, 2022

New research buildings will meet innovation needs of the future Oxford University Development (OUD) today confirms reserved matters planning consent has been granted for the first phase of its Begbroke Science Park expansion, which comprises two new state-of-the-art research buildings. This first phase of the scheme will bring forward new research facilities for the University’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences departments and associated groups, as well as providing space to incubate spin-out companies. The two buildings, totalling 12,500 sq. m., will house both academic and commercial research at the Science Park, north of Oxford. The development will also deliver improvements to sustainable transport infrastructure, as well as soft and hard landscaping and public art integrated into the landscape.   Anna Strongman, CEO, Oxford University Development, said: “This first phase of our vision to progress the design and development standards of Begbroke Science Park is one step closer to realisation thanks to the consent granted today. These new research facilities will be fit for the future needs of our research community, by providing high quality spaces for innovative work and collaboration.” OUD is a property development company set up under the £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital. Bolstering its long-term pension commitments by creating real assets which provide new jobs, housing, productivity and wage growth. Legal & General has invested over £30bn in levelling-up regional economies throughout the UK. This includes forming major partnerships with local and central governments, universities and local businesses in place such as Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as Oxford. OUD is collaborating with Bruntwood SciTech as Development Manager for the first phase.

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Prologis acquires more prime logistics space in Coventry

Kenneth Booth January 31, 2022

Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has acquired an additional building at its highly successful logistics park in Coventry, further strengthening its holdings in a core location. The 56,000 sq. ft. building, which is let to UK Flooring Direct until 2025, has been acquired for a consideration of £8 million from a UK fund. Prologis now owns and manages 1.86m sq. ft. of prime logistics space at the park, with potential for further expansion in the future. Built by Prologis in 2003 as a design-and-build project, the building has been bought back to help meet existing and future demand for logistics space in the area. From its location within the logistics ‘golden triangle’, at the heart of the UK’s motorway network, Prologis Park Coventry is less than 2 miles from Junction 3 of the M6. The site is currently fully-let and along with UK Flooring, customers include household names such as Bridgestone, DHL, Royal Mail and Co-Op. James Hemstock, Director in the Capital Deployment & Leasing team at Prologis UK, said: “This is a purchase which signals our commitment to strengthening our asset base at Prologis Park Coventry – an excellent location that continues to meet the needs of our customers in a core Midlands market. We hope that we will soon be in a position to extend the site further, so we can continue to meet demand for much-needed warehouse and logistics space within the logistics ‘golden triangle’.” Prologis was advised on the property acquisition by Acre Capital.

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Clowes Developments Appoints Winvic for Two Further Industrial Warehouses Under NFU Mutual Deal

Kenneth Booth January 27, 2022

Following the recent news that Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed to construct two industrial facilities at Castlewood Business Park for Clowes Developments, the leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has now also won the contract to deliver two more industrial warehouses at East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC). The industrial facilities located at Castle Donington are part of the landmark deal between Clowes Developments and NFU Mutual, a transaction to develop six logistics facilities throughout the UK worth in the region of £100 million. The two large scale industrial warehouses will be located adjacently on the central plot of land running through the middle of the wider business park. The units will be directly opposite the enormous one million sq ft M&S distribution centre which spans the length of a half mile long road. EMDC190 is a 190,000 sq ft unit with over 10,000 sq ft of office space over two floors, comprising a 15m haunch height, 18 loading bays and associated welfare facilities for staff. EMDC280, also 15m in height, is 280,000 sq ft and has 17,000sq ft of two-storey office space and 26 loading bays. Both properties will have their own secure compound and parking spaces including electric charging points. Winvic Construction Director, Ben Shearman, said: “Having just announced our appointment by Clowes Developments for the construction of two warehouse units at Castlewood Business Park, this second ground-breaking ceremony within a matter of days illustrates how robust our long-term partnership is with the Clowes team. We’re delighted they have every confidence in us to deliver two further high-quality industrial spaces safely and quickly at the East Midlands Development Centre site in Derbyshire, and now it’s up to us to once again exceed expectations.”  Paul Shanley, Consultant at Clowes Developments, commented: “Since our ownership of EMDC began we have continually bought world class businesses to the development. Thousands of jobs have been generated on the former power station site and we endeavour to deliver further regeneration with the remaining plots at the site. The addition of two brand-new units for NFU Mutual – which will be delivered by long-term construction partner Winvic – will bring a new dimension to the site and we are confident the new occupiers will benefit from all that EMDC and its locality has to offer.” Winvic is also constructing two industrial units in Corby for Clowes Developments and is delivering the first phase of groundworks, highways and utility infrastructure works at Fairham, a new £800 million sustainable neighbourhood in Nottingham, which Clowes is delivering in partnership with Homes England. Visit https://fairhamlife.co.uk/vision/ to see the latest 360 aerial progress on site. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.  

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