In a major boost for the local job market, Banbury-based Fortress Technology Europe has more than tripled its manufacturing capacity, moving into a new modern industrial facility and EMEA headquarters on Thorpe Way. White Commercial Surveyors acted for Fortress in their ‘search and find’ exercise, a specialist service offered by the company. White Commercial had previously leased the property to The F1 Mercedes Petronas Team whose HQ is close by in based in Brackley.
Having merged with British checkweighing and x-ray inspection specialist Sparc Systems three years ago, the 30,000 sq ft facility, aptly named Stealth House after the company’s flagship food metal detector, marks the next milestone in the company’s ambitious growth strategy. Employing nearly 70 food inspection engineering and service specialists, the company builds x-ray, metal detectors and checkweighers used within a number of the largest bakery, snack, dairy, meat, confectionery and ingredient factories that supply supermarkets and retailers throughout Europe and beyond.
Having operated across two sites for close to three years, re-locating into this larger state-of-the-art production facility brings all the Fortress and Sparc innovation together under one roof. Representing a significant investment by the Group’s Canadian parent company, President and founder of Fortress Technology Steve Gidman officially opened the EMEA HQ earlier this month.
Managing Director Phil Brown is quick to point out the exciting career pathways this Banbury expansion offers. “This is an exciting time for digital technologies. Especially in the food production market. It’s a petri dish of innovation and opportunities. Speaking from personal experience, joining a fast growing private company that still has a family ethos at its core is a great way to advance your personal and professional skills and climb the career ladder.”Chris White MD of White Commercial Surveyors comments: “White Commercial are experts in acquiring office, industrial and premises and commercial development sites for corporate occupiers. Our extensive knowledge and expertise of the commercial property market allows us to provide clients with details of available premises; economic evaluation and legal advice, aimed at minimising the company’s property holding costs and financial liabilities.
Fortress Technology are a fantastic progressive tech company whose expansion required additional and specific accommodation to meet their operational objectives. The severe shortage of industrial units was a major hurdle in locating suitable facilities initially, but our search and find techniques allowed us to select a number of buildings which offered opportunities for Fortress to assess and consider”.
