Construction of a state-of-the-art centre of engineering excellence for IMI Truflo Marine – a world-leading manufacturer of critical flow control solutions – has started at a strategic site in the West Midlands.
A groundbreaking ceremony has been staged at the site of the manufacturing and design facility at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH).
Barberry Industrial, a West Midlands-based property investor and developer, was selected to purchase the site from Birmingham City Council and Homes England and subsequently agreed to deliver a 57,000 sq ft headquarters and manufacturing building on behalf of IMI Truflo Marine, part of IMI plc.
The engineering company will relocate to the manufacturing hub in Witton from its existing facility nearby. It has agreed a 15-year lease on the new facility. The move not only safeguards the jobs of its existing skilled workforce but creates new employment opportunities.
Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were Roy Twite CEO of IMI plc, Steve Robins, President Nuclear & Marine Europe of IMI Critical Engineering, Nick Rowson-Jones, Global Operations Director of IMI Critical Engineering, Barberry Industrial Development Director Jonathan Robinson, Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, Steve Smith, Managing Director of the appointed construction contractor Benniman, and the project team.Practical completion of the building is expected in Q3 2021.
IMI Truflo Marine is part of IMI Critical Engineering – a world-leading provider of critical flow control solutions that enable vital energy and process industries to operate safely, cleanly, reliably and more efficiently.
Managing director Mark Bloxham said: “I am delighted to see the project underway. The new facility will not only create a world class manufacturing facility for our customers, our employees and our stakeholders but will also serve as a centre of engineering excellence to support our market.”
Barberry Industrial’s Jon Robinson said: “It’s fantastic to see construction start on site. It’s been a pleasure working with IMI Truflo Marine and we’re proud to include them as another high profile customer that we are working with to deliver a world class headquarters building and global centre of excellence here in Birmingham.
“It is great news for Birmingham and the Advanced Manufacturing Hub. It represents another excellent piece of business, with the private and public sectorcreating further investment and jobs for the city. IMI has a long and successful history with the city, and the skills and talents of local people has helped the company develop and grow into the global business it is today employing around 11,000 people.”
He added: “The new headquarters and manufacturing facility we are developing for IMI Truflo Marine will be a state-of-the-art facility which will match their global ambitions and align with the expectations of their customers around the world and assist them in continuing to grow their business here in Birmingham.”
Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As we work towards Birmingham’s post-Covid economic recovery, this investment is a significant vote of confidence in our city, creating jobs and opportunities at a time when they are sorely needed.
“IMI is a Birmingham institution with a proud and successful history and this investment in the Advanced Manufacturing Hub marks another significant chapter in our shared story.”
Barberryhas a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development portfolio with a Gross Development Value of more than £398 million.This is Barberry’s second development at the AMH, where they speculatively developed a 65,000 sq ft unit and let it to Mayflex. The unit was acquired by M&G Real Estate for £9 million.
It is developing a £40 million state-of-the-art aerospace manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in aerospace engine and flight controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 184,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment will be built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.
The company has submitted planning to develop three high quality mid-box manufacturing/logistics units totalling 220,750 sq ft at a prime West Midlands business park in a £28 million project. Barberry’s proposals to build industrial/logistics units of 47,750 sq ft, 62,000 sq ft and 113,000 sq ft at Hilton Cross Business Park, just off junction one of the M54 near Wolverhampton, would bring much-needed investment and jobs to the region.
Meanwhile, joint venture developer Richardson Barberry last month completed the sale of a prime warehouse/logistics park in a £78 million off-market deal. CCP 5, a fund advised by Tristan Capital Partners, acquired More+ Central Park, totalling 559,228 sq ft, at Avonmouth near Bristol. The prime mid-box logistics park includes five completed units forming the 176,393 sq ft phase one, and six further units to be built out as phase two providing a further 382,825 sq ft which will be developed by Richardson Barberry under the terms of the deal.
As part of IMI plc, IMI Critical Engineering operates a global service network, with manufacturing facilities in 16 countries. It employs over 3,000 talented professionals across a range of disciplines. These include over 300 engineers, 150 project managers and over 200 dedicated aftermarket specialists – all committed to providing excellent service to our customers.