A world-leading material handling company that has appeared in Forbes’ list of the largest private companies in the U.S. is to open a new Midlands branch and training facility in Birmingham, Barberry Developments has announced.
Crown Equipment Corporation has agreed to purchase Barberry 46, a speculative development on a landmark former Tucker Fasteners site in Perry Barr.
The Ohio-based business has acquired the 46,000 sq ft Grade-A warehouse and industrial unit. The move is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the region.
Jon Robinson, development director at Barberry, said: “We are very pleased to announce our building sale to Crown Equipment, which was agreed two months prior to practical completion. Barberry 46 is a high-quality Grade A building, prominently positioned on the A34 with excellent communication links. It will provide the perfect solution for Crown’s new Midlands branch and training facility, assisting them with their future expansion within the UK.”
Crown is one of the world’s largest material handling companies with a reputation for award-winning product design, advanced engineering and technology. It is a privately held and family owned global business with its headquarters located in USA, and regional headquarters in Australia, China, Germany and Singapore.
Its UK subsidiary, Crown Lift Trucks Ltd currently supplies a wide range of material handling equipment combined with fleet management and automation technologies for almost any type of UK industry from its three current UK branches. It plans to expand into Barberry 46 this autumn, which will become the new Midlands Branch Operation assisting in the expansion of its UK business.
Simon Barkworth, UK managing director at Crown Lift Trucks (UK) Ltd., said: “It is a very exciting time for Crown UK. Our business has grown significantly in the UK and we are delighted to secure the purchase of Barberry 46 and expand into this additional bigger premises. Adding to our current branches in Basingstoke, Warrington and Coatbridge, Scotland, this modern facility will allow us to focus and support upon our centrally based customers more effectively.”
MWRE and JLL acted on behalf of Barberry. Adam McGuinness of MWRE said: “The sale of Barberry 46, Birmingham, to Crown is a fantastic result for all parties involved and a testament to the quality of product delivered by Barberry into the active West Midlands industrial and logistics market. Barberry will work with Crown to deliver their additional fit-out requirements to ensure the new facility is ready for operations in the very near future.”
Nick Oakley, head of property finance at Frontier Development Capital, said: “We are delighted to have facilitated the speculative development funding and regeneration of this key employment site in Birmingham. Barberry have been an excellent development partner and it’s tremendous news that Crown are moving into and investing in the West Midlands region.”
Barberry 46 is situated on the old Tuckers Fastenings site at Walsall Road, Perry Barr. Founded in 1903, Tuckers produced rivets, fasteners and other metal products, as well as building fighter planes during World War II. It closed in 2013.