Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments have hailed Siemens’ decision to open one of Europe’s largest 3D printing facilities at the Worcester Six business park as a significant boost for the region.
The global industrial group is investing around £27 million in creating a state-of-the-art plant for its advanced manufacturing facility Materials Solutions Ltd, its additive manufacturing specialist. The move will also create up to 50 new jobs.
Materials Solutions will be the first occupier on Worcester Six, taking a 10-year lease on a 45,000 sq ft unit on the first phase of speculative development completed by developers Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments.
The new facility is expected to open in September 2018 and will more than double the company’s current footprint, enabling it to increase its fleet of 3D-printing machines to 50.
A spokesman for Siemens said the significant investment is part of its plans to build and grow a global business with additive manufacturing services for industries including aerospace, automotive and power generation.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, involves building objects up, layer by layer, from metal or plastic. It allows the creation of more complex and lightweight structures than traditional manufacturing methods and experts say it has the potential to transform a wide range of industries.
Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments have completed the first two units – known as Liberty 163 and Liberty 45. The units of 163,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft are the first to be built at the Worcester Six site, which will eventually provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.
Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, said: “We consider Materials Solutions’ move to Worcester Six a major success. It clearly demonstrates the calibre of occupier that wants to locate here. Our investment in the site, including a second speculative warehouse – Liberty 163 – also demonstrates our confidence in the development.”
Gerard Ludlow, director of Stoford Developments, said: “Attracting a highly innovative company of this calibre to Worcester Six is another fillip for this exciting scheme and comes shortly after major companies Kimal and Spire Healthcare announced their decisions to locate here. We are confident that the development will bring huge economic benefits to the region when it is fully complete and occupied.”
Worcester Six is one of the four key investment sites across the county where Worcestershire County Council and its partners are looking to develop, creating additional jobs.