National property and construction consultancy Wakemans has been commissioned to act as Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveyors and BREEAM advisors on a new project for Reid Lifting. The £5 million project will be completed in two new-build phases, both of which are to be overseen by Wakemans.
Reid Lifting, specialists in lightweight portable lifting solutions, are currently based on the Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate, Chepstow but with business growing rapidly they have taken the decision to expand their premises, creating larger manufacturing facilities and headquarters.
Phase one, beginning in June this year, is a 45,000 sq ft development which is in the process of being tendered. Phase one contains the new manufacturing facilities and headquarters for Reid Lifting, something Wakemans associate director Steve Gascoyne says is representative of the improving confidence in the economy.
“The new facilities at Reid Lifting are part of a national rise in demand for industrial property,” says Steve. “There has been a noticeable rise in optimism from British companies and a new willingness to invest, manifested as a 24% increase in take up of industrial space last year, with a further predicted increase for 2014, according to recent research from LSH.”
Phase two of the project will be a 40,000 sq ft speculative trade counter development, which is still in the planning stages but likely to begin post Phase one. Wakemans is also working on the same site acting for foodservice distributor 3663 on a new warehouse facility.
“It is unusual to have two completely separate projects for two different clients on the same site,” says Steve. “But we have recognised expertise in the manufacturing and logistics sector, which is leading to an increase in demand for our services as the industry recovers.”
