An IT communications equipment company is expanding its UK operations and relocating its headquarters to a new 65,000 sq ft industrial unit at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) as it looks to grow and increase capacity, Barberry Developments has announced.
Mayflex, based in Electric Avenue, Birmingham, has agreed a 10-year lease for Barberry 65, a speculative development recently completed by Barberry at the AMH, immediately adjacent to junction 6 of the M6.
The move will see the company, which distributes converged IP solutions and provides industry-standard and bespoke products for clients in the UK and Europe, significantly increasing its assembly and construction space, offices, and research and development unit.
Mayflex is currently completing its fit out and will become operational in April when it also hopes to create new jobs in assembly and manufacturing.
Barberry has an impressive pipeline of industrial and warehouse developments amounting to more than 2.4 million sq ft at sites across the UK, including Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Bristol and County Durham.
Barberry development director Jon Robinson said: “Barberry 65 is a high quality grade A manufacturing facility located in a prime position, only three minutes’ drive from junction 6 of the M6, Birmingham, on the Advanced Manufacturing Hub.
“We are delighted that we were able to secure an occupier before reaching practical completion. From initially committing to the development, through to completion, took just 11 months, which is a fantastic achievement.
“Our decision to invest within the area to speculatively develop the site has created a catalyst for city centre regeneration and job creation for the local community.
“We are proud to deliver a building that will provide Mayflex with the opportunity for expansion, allowing them to continue to flourish within Birmingham without relocating outside the region. Our development has helped to promote and support employment and stimulate further economic growth within Birmingham.”
Andy Cooper, operations director at Mayflex, said: “The company aims to produce a selection of about 800 variants of market-leading products. The business is currently running on a six per cent annual growth rate, but as part of the intended move to Barberry 65, I would be looking to increase this to a capacity of 10%.
“This will also have an impact upon the number of jobs. We envisage a number of new jobs being created every year because the nature of our business does not lend itself to automated assembly. We’ll also have capacity and sufficient space for support activities, including research and development, to accommodate the construction and assembly of our products to meet customer needs.
“We feel fortunate that we are able to remain so close to our existing site because it is convenient for our staff and a good location for the road and motorway network.”
He added that the layout of the new building will lend itself to smoother operations and will enable staff to work more efficiently.
Support for the project was provided by Birmingham City Council, Homes England, and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Agents Harris Lamb represented Mayflex. JLL and Savills act as joint agents for Barberry on the development.
Charles D’Auncey, of Harris Lamb, said: “We spent a lot of time with Mayflex to determine the size and specification of building required. We eventually narrowed this down to Barberry 65 during the building’s construction phase.
“I am delighted the building was completed on time and to the specification agreed -Barberry 65 provides a fantastic addition to the existing Mayflex property portfolio, to enable the business to further develop.”
Barberry also recently completed construction of a 46,000 sq ft warehouse unit at a site on the A34, Birmingham, which has been sold to Crown Equipment as its new headquarters. HydraForce Hydraulics was the first occupier at AMH and now has more than 500 staff based at its 120,000 sq ft European headquarters. Global tool manufacturer Guhring has also developed a 50,000 sq ft factory at AMH.