Work has started on the brand-new UK headquarters for award-winning international power tools manufacturer Festool.
Pick Everard – the independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy – is providing a full design and project management service for the 2,800 sq m two-storey scheme. The project represents an investment of £10 million and will be completely electric, with energy provided by photovoltaic cells.
Festool’s 55 UK office-based employees will move from their current office to Suffolk Business Park once work has completed in 2019. The new headquarters will include meeting rooms, office space, a service centre, demonstration facilities, warehouse, cafe and show zone.
Paul Darlow, regional director at Pick Everard said: “We are delighted to be working on such a flagship project that will continue employment growth within the technology industry in the area.
“Festool’s current lease was ending so we were appointed to evaluate a number of options for the potential relocation or renovation of its current UK headquarters.
“During this process it became clear that Festool would require a purposely designed building to meet its needs and the Suffolk Business Park, promoted by Churchmanor Estates Company PLC, provided the ideal opportunity.
“Being the first company to consider moving to the park provided Festool the opportunity to select the most suitable plot.”
The building work, which is being carried out by Ipswich-based Barnes Construction, is expected to be complete in March 2019.
Paul added: “Festool tools have a reputation for being reliable, durable and intelligently designed, and our brief was to deliver a building that conveyed these brand qualities.
“The new building also had to be an aesthetically-pleasing, high quality development. Furthermore, the set BREEAM target – which assesses and rates the sustainability of buildings – for the build was ‘excellent’ to reflect Festool’s approach to reducing CO2 emissions.
“Due to a number of constraints, we have a tight timeline in which to design and deliver the project. But, as a result of working closely with all parties, in particular the local planning authority, the project is expected to be delivered ahead of schedule.
“Festool’s investment is great news for Bury St Edmunds, which will result in a building that provides a sustainable and modern environment in which the company can continue to grow.”
Suffolk Business Park, which is around 57 acres, is a new gateway development creating an extension to the prime commercial area of Bury St Edmunds.
Councillor John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: “This is brilliant news. The borough council played a lead role to secure the eastern relief road and through that, the delivery of Suffolk Business Park.
“This development will enable local businesses, such as Festool, to further their commitment to the area and create new opportunities for employment.”
Ole Held, UK manging director at Festool said: “This is a very exciting project for us and long overdue. For us, Bury St Edmunds is our UK home and we are delighted to expand our operation in a building fit for purpose.
“Pick Everard has worked with us for a number of years to identify and secure this opportunity and they are doing an outstanding job in designing and delivering the project on our behalf.”
