North East industrial property specialist HTA Real Estate has secured the letting of a 48,000 sq ft unit to global fire systems manufacturer, Advanced, at Balliol Business Park in Longbenton.
Currently based in Cramlington, Advanced has signed a 10-year lease, which will commence upon completion of a £2m refurbishment. The landlord of the property, Ashall Homes Ltd. is undertaking the major refurbishment project.
Advanced, which is part of Halma, designs and manufactures commercial fire systems, employing over 180 staff and exporting to over sixty countries from bases in the UK, US, India and Dubai. It manufactures all of its products in the North East of England, currently over three sites.
The firm is relocating to the larger premises due to ongoing expansion, but also says the move will provide increased efficiencies and cultural benefits for its staff, thanks to being in one, purpose designed HQ facility.
Ray Hope, managing director at Advanced said: “This is a major step forward for us and a key part of our growth strategy. The move will see us invest in more capacity, manufacturing lines and commercial space that will support our ambitious growth plans. Our order book has never been stronger, and we need a state-of-the art environment for our workforce, that supports our position as one of the premier electronics manufacturers in the region.”
Russell Taylor, director at HTA Real Estate added: “Across the region we are experiencing very high levels of occupancy on prime industrial estates such as Balliol Business Park. In terms of forthcoming supply, the North East is lagging behind other UK regions with supply of new build units, so comprehensive refurbishment projects such as this are becoming ever more important.”
The refurbishment project, which is due to complete in February 2018, is set to transform the Longbenton property, with the installation a clear glazed frontage, additional first floor offices, a total refit of the existing offices and a new full height reception.
The main assembly and production area is to benefit from new electronic doors and a raised floor will facilitate data cabling and a displacement air system. The offices will be comfort cooled and have full height fenestration providing external views.
The property occupies a 2.5 acre site on Balliol Business Park, which is also home to Greggs, Ringtons and Leica Biosystems.
HTA Real Estate and joint agents PGN Property Consultants acted on behalf Ashall Homes Ltd.
