< Previous10 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FINANCE NEWS Highways, air and rail civil engineers acquired by RSK Group RSK Group Ltd, an integrated environmental, engineering and technical services business, has expanded its contracting services with the acquisition of CR Civil Engineering. Headquartered in Loughborough and with further sites in Llandeilo, South Wales, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and Ripley, Derbyshire, CR Civil Engineering provides groundwork civil engineering services to the highways, rail and other sectors across the UK. Founded in 2000 by Managing Director Carl Roberts as a team of four providing labour services only, CR Civil Engineering has grown significantly and now employs 225 direct staff and currently uses 70 contractors. In recent years, key clients have included contractors such as A-One+, Galliford Try, Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall, Amey, Osborne, Winvic and NMCM, under framework agreements with Highways England, so this acquisition will strengthen RSK’s existing relationships with these clients. CR Civil Engineering operates as two main trading entities: CR Civil Engineering Ltd that holds the contracts and provides the civil engineering services, and CRCE Plant Ltd that owns the assets required to perform the work. CRCE Plant also rents equipment to third parties. The addition of CR Civil Engineering will enable RSK to widen its contracting capabilities and its existing customer base. Alongside its civil engineering expertise, the business brings a significant property- and asset-base to RSK, including equipment that can be rented to third parties. CR Civil Engineering Managing Director Carl Roberts will continue to lead the business as it joins RSK’s contracting division. Carl Roberts said: “Everyone at CR Civil Engineering is extremely excited about the future prospects within the RSK business. Our company cultures and very aligned. Being part of RSK will not only strengthen the company but also offer opportunities for CR Civil Engineering to develop, and will enable our dedicated staff to thrive within a growing organisations and thus reach their potential.” RSK Chief Executive Officer and founder Alan Ryder added: “Work on large infrastructure projects is a particularly buoyant market and CR Civil Engineering has an excellent reputation in the industry. The addition of CR Civil Engineering will enable RSK to provide further comprehensive end-to-end solutions to our clients in the highways, rail, and infrastructure sectors.: Leicester fabricator acquires precision engineering company Aerofab Fabrications has acquired fellow Leicester company Paton Precision Engineering in a move that secures 18 jobs and creates a platform for growth opportunities for both companies. Oadby-based Paton Precision Engineering has had a long-standing business relationship with Aerofab Fabrications – which employs 40 people and designs, manufactures and installs bespoke metalwork, ranging from assembly lines for food producers to bespoke sculptures for boutique hotels – and will become part of the Wigston fabricator’s group of companies, although it will retain its name and stay at the same site on Kenilworth Drive. The acquisition for an undisclosed sum strengthens the positions of both businesses, which have traded strongly through 2020 and are optimistic about the future. Aerofab Fabrications plans an investment package for Paton Precision Engineering that will include new IT infrastructure and software. The Managing Director of the family-run business, Peter James, said that the purchase of Paton Precision Engineering is a deal that benefits both companies because it formally cements their long-standing working relationship. “We have worked closely with Paton Precision Engineering for more than 20 years, and the opportunity to bring them into the fold of Aerofab Fabrications ticks every box for them and us,” said Mr James. “This acquisition is a landmark for our business and opens the door to a lot of exciting new opportunities. “Their experience in precision machining is second to none, and we are gaining an incredible amount of additional expertise that will enable us to strengthen our proposition for customers, who often require bespoke fabricated solutions. “The team at Paton Precision Engineering are just like us in the fact that they can come up with solutions for customers that other engineering companies either don’t think are possible or simply can’t deliver.” £246m funding facility supports solar division rollout at low carbon leader Northampton renewable energy group Infinis, the generator of low carbon power from captured methane, is continuing to help reduce the nation’s carbon footprint with the support of £246m refinanced structured facilities. Lloyds Bank acted as a Mandated Lead Arranger for the transaction, providing finance for Infinis’ portfolio of over 150 operational energy generation sites, which produce more than 1,400 GWh of electricity for local communities across the UK. The new funding structure, which includes a £40m lending commitment from Lloyds Bank, will facilitate Infinis’ growth objectives in developing additional solar power generation. Infinis has made significant progress in developing its solar division, aiming to co-locate solar PV technology on sites where it generates renewable power from captured landfill methane. Infinis, which is owned by 3i Infrastructure plc, generated revenues of £161m in the year to March 2020. Keith Reid, Chief Financial Officer at Infinis, said: “We have a proven, resilient renewable and low carbon energy generation business, and have a strategy focused on continued diversification into additional low carbon energy generation. “This new funding structure, together with the continued support of our shareholder 3i infrastructure, will support our expansion into solar over the coming years ensuring we continue to support the UK achieving net zero status and a sustainable future.” L-R: Phil Curtis, Peter James and Ian Wynter RSK Chief Executive Officer and founder, Alan Ryder 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:42 Page 5Melton Mowbray firm acquired by growing pet care business Assisi Pet Care Ltd, the company behind Hollings, the suppliers of natural dog treats, has acquired family-owned Town & Country Petfoods Ltd, for an undisclosed sum. Established in 1974 by the Parkinson family, Town & Country is based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where it has a 26-strong team. It markets an extensive range of dog and cat foods and treats, primarily under the HiLife brand. Based in Skipton, Assisi Pet Care was established in September 2020 as a joint venture between founder Peter Mangion and Harwood Capital with the objective of creating a significant player in the dynamic and fast-growing European pet care market. Assisi immediately acquired Hollings Ltd, the long established natural dog treats business. The acquisition of Town & Country broadens the Assisi offer into dog foods, as well as into the cat foods and treats categories. As well as supplying its HiLife branded products, Town & Country also provides own label products to many supermarkets and pet care retailers. Peter Mangion, Assisi CEO, said: “We are very grateful to the Parkinson family for partnering with Assisi and for trusting us to help take the Town & Country business and its successful HiLife brand to the next phase of its development. “I am personally delighted that family members Tony and Peter Parkinson, and their sister, Julie Bitowt, have agreed to remain with the company as we integrate our existing sales, marketing, finance and operations functions, into the well-established Town & Country teams based at Melton Mowbray. “Having completed our first acquisition just five months ago, Assisi’s rapid growth trajectory is on track and we are grateful for the continued support of Harwood as we move, with pace, to deliver on our ambitious strategy to become a leader in the European pet care sector. This transformational deal has created a £35m turnover business which is well-placed to offer a huge array of products to the rapidly expanding pet care market.” Tony Parkinson, Town & Country’s Managing Director, said: “As a family, we are very pleased that our brand and our Melton Mowbray team will be playing such a pivotal role in Assisi’s exciting and ambitious plans.” FINANCE NEWS www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 11 BGF invests in secure lock and hardware supplier BGF, the growth capital investor, has invested in secure lock and hardware supplier, Brisant Secure, which is based in the East Midlands and West Yorkshire. The investment will support Brisant’s long-term growth plans and enable the company to develop further innovations and opportunities. Brisant partners, Nick Dutton and Steve Stewart, remain majority shareholders and Seb Saywood, a BGF investor, joins them on the Brisant board. Nick and Steve will continue to be responsible for the management and direction of Brisant and will continue to drive product innovation. Brisant Secure, joint-CEO, Nick Dutton said: “BGF’s investment is a milestone in Brisant’s development, and it marks the start of an exciting new era for the business. “We’ve reached a point where we have more ideas for innovative hardware than we could bring to market, and with BGF as an invested partner we can explore these opportunities and channels with this incredible pool of experience, knowledge and contacts. I think it’s also significant that such a prominent investor recognises the growth and potential of our sector.” Commenting on the investment, BGF’s Seb Saywood said: “Brisant Secure is a pioneer in improving security standards to support its fenestration customers and ultimately homeowners. “The scope for innovation is significant as homeowners need enhanced security and technology-led protection for their homes. Nick and Steve’s passion for their customers and products shines through. We look forward to working with them and the rest of their team as they expand their product range and continue their incredible growth journey.” © Shutterstock /Gyuszko-Photo L-R: Nick Dutton, Steve Stewart 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:42 Page 6Manufacturers struggling with delays moving goods in and out of EU UK manufacturers are still struggling to cope with crippling delays when moving goods in and out of the EU, new research has revealed. According to Make UK, the manufacturer’s organisation, almost three-quarters (74%) of companies have experienced or are experiencing delays in the past 3 months. 1 in 3 (28%) are experiencing delays of between 1 to 2 weeks, while over half (51%) say this has led to increased costs. Furthermore, more than a third (35%) have lost revenue with one in five losing potential business. Manufacturers have cited various Government interventions that would help mitigate the impacts – from assistance with export documentation, better trained customs staff and clearer guidance on import/export paperwork. Now, Britain’s manufacturers are calling on the Government to help them iron out delays and problems at ports in and out of the EU which is leading to lost business, increased costs and losing out on future orders. The research showed that one in three companies are experiencing delays of between one to two weeks, with goods stuck in transit and increasing delays on shipments. Many container ships will not stop in the UK at present, due to delays at British ports. This is resulting in goods bound for the UK being offloaded in EU ports, impacting heavily on production schedules and lead times with companies forced to make alternative and costly arrangements to have their orders delivered. 12 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MANUFACTURING NEWS Work starts on world’s largest aero-engine in Derby Rolls-Royce has officially started building the world’s largest aero-engine, UltraFan®, which it says will help “redefine sustainable air travel for decades to come.” Work on the first module is underway at the company’s dedicated DemoWorks facility in Derby, and the demonstrator engine, which has a fan diameter of 140 inches, will be completed by the end of the year. The engine is the basis for a potential new family of UltraFan engines able to power both narrowbody and widebody aircraft and deliver a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation of Trent engine. Significant investment has been made to develop the UltraFan demonstrator and associated technologies by Rolls-Royce and a variety of funding agencies, including the Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK (United Kingdom), LuFo (Germany) and Clean Sky Joint Undertaking (European Union). UK Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “The UltraFan project is a perfect example of how we are working with industry to deliver green, sustainable flight for decades to come. Backed with significant government support, this project represents the scale of ambition for Britain’s crucial aerospace sector. “Companies like Rolls-Royce are playing a critical role as we build back greener from the pandemic and we are committed to giving the whole aerospace sector the support it needs to innovate and reach new heights.” Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said: “This is an exciting moment for all of us at Rolls-Royce. Our first engine demonstrator, UF001, is now coming together and I’m really looking forward to seeing it built and ready for test. It is arriving at a time when the world is seeking ever more sustainable ways to travel in a post-COVID 19 world, and it makes me and all our team very proud to know we are part of the solution. “I am delighted that the UK and German governments have supported us in making these significant ground-breaking technology investments. The Aerospace Technology Institute and LuFo programmes, as well as the EU’s Clean Sky, have all helped bring us a step closer to realising the enormous environmental and economic benefits of UltraFan.” Medical manufacturer hands ownership to employees Pennine Healthcare, the privately-owned medical manufacturers, has handed over ownership of the company to its 200 employees. Pennine Healthcare, which has operated in Derby for more than 50 years, has joined the growing band of companies setting up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The privately-owned company has been sold to the EOT for an undisclosed sum that is below its market value to ensure maximum benefit for the employee shareholders moving forward. The Trust, which represents the interests of the company employees, now holds 100% of the Pennine Healthcare’s shares. All employees with at least 12 months’ service now have the opportunity to each receive up to £3,600 tax free dividends from annual net profits. Pennine Healthcare, in London Road, specialises in manufacturing single use, sterile medical devices and customised procedure packs for the NHS and the wider healthcare sector both in the UK and 80 countries worldwide. The current operations board, led by CEO Luke Fryer, will continue to manage the company – reporting to the EOT. Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, who is HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire and whose father Ivor Shaw set up the company in the sixties, has retired from the operations board to become a member of the EOT which hold shares on behalf of the employees and will distribute the dividends equally. She explained that the driving force behind the announcement was to ensure that Pennine Healthcare remained in Derby, recognised employees for their hard work and effort and retained capital in the business. © Shutterstock /ratlos © Shutterstock /MedstockPhotos 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:42 Page 7boohoo to create “vibrant manufacturing base in Leicester” Online fashion retailer boohoo has published details of its manufacturers and a new sustainability strategy, whilst looking to create a “vibrant manufacturing base in Leicester” that “offers good employment and great prospects for the workers and the industry in Leicester as a whole.” In what boohoo says is “a key milestone in the company’s ‘Agenda for Change’ programme,” the move comes six months after the publication of an independent report produced by Alison Levitt QC identifying “many failings in [its] Leicester supply chain.” The review considered whether allegations about working conditions and low pay were well-founded and the extent to which boohoo monitored its Leicester supply chain and had knowledge of the allegations. This followed a damning report from Labour Behind the Label, indicating that conditions in Leicester’s factories, primarily producing for boohoo, were putting workers at risk of COVID-19 infections and fatalities. boohoo’s new announcement is a result of work carried out through the Group’s Agenda for Change programme, to map and audit the company’s manufacturers and introduce changes to the way the business works with its suppliers. In November 2020, the Group appointed former High Court Judge Sir Brian Leveson to provide independent oversight of the implementation of the Agenda for Change programme. boohoo said that a responsible sourcing and compliance team led by Director of Responsible Souring, Andrew Reaney, has been working with independent auditors Verisio and Bureau Veritas to examine the working practices of suppliers and a majority of UK suppliers have been audited twice over the last eight months, including in the evenings and at weekends. Additionally, Sir Brian commissioned Tim Godwin OBE, former acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, to carry out additional forensic level enquiries to identify and address any irregularities in the leadership and management of suppliers’ businesses. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 13 MANUFACTURING NEWS Grant to boost electrification support for businesses at Nottingham university The University of Nottingham has been awarded a share of the £28.5m award by Driving the Electric Revolution, part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to invest in new equipment to support innovative manufacturing processes for advanced electrical machines and drives which will support the UK’s net zero ambitions. The award encompasses advanced electrical machines’ coil winding manufacturing equipment and extensive magnetic material characterisation equipment which will allow for the development of high power density electrical machines and drives for electrified transportation and energy efficient industrial applications. The equipment will be hosted within the new Power Electronics and Electrical Machines Centre at the University of Nottingham which has been selected to host the Midlands Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre. The state-of-the-art building will also host the UK Electrification of Aerospace Propulsion Facility providing industry and academic partners with a comprehensive end-to-end facility for the manufacturing and testing of technologies towards electrification to deliver the UK Government’s targets towards a net zero carbon economy. Chris Gerada, Professor of Electrical Machines at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are extremely happy to have been awarded this grant from UKRI. The advanced manufacturing equipment will exploit the University’s expertise in Power Electronics and Electrical Machines by working closely with industrial partners to develop the next generation of Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) products, helping to deliver the UK net zero commitments. The investment will also reinforce the UK’s and the Midlands’ effort to capitalise on the significant PEMD market opportunity.” Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Exchange) at the University of Nottingham, said: “This equipment grant will enhance a critical mass of electrical machines and power electronics research while addressing key industry challenges. It will also reinforce the UK’s standing as a world leader in electrical machines and power electronics and will deliver exploitable new technologies that will strengthen our global competitiveness.” Jon Gilpin © Shutterstock /IgorGolovniov 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:42 Page 8PROPERTY NEWS Developer acquires 2.5 acre site in Northants for industrial scheme A vacant 2.5-acre site within Brackley’s Boundary Road Industrial Estate is set to become 55,000 sq ft of new build light industrial and warehousing space with a gross development value of around £9m. Industrial developer Chancerygate has acquired the South Northants site and intends to speculatively build 14 units on it ranging from 2,500 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft. All the units will be available on a freehold or leasehold basis. The site is located off Boundary Road and was acquired from a private vendor. It provides good access to the A43 and M40 motorway and the development will provide Grade A industrial and warehouse accommodation which is in short supply. Chancerygate development director, George Dickens, said: “We’re looking forward to submitting our planning application and speculatively developing this opportunity. “Our development will address the pent-up demand that exists from a wide variety of businesses operating in Brackley and surrounding towns looking for Grade A new build accommodation.” This latest deal follows Chancerygate’s purchase towards the end of last year of a 5.4-acre site in Wigston, near Leicester. Chancerygate plans to speculatively develop a £16.8m scheme on the site comprising 127,925 sq ft of light industrial and warehousing space across 16 units. The vendor was advised on the sale of the Brackley site by property agents Brown & Co. Permission sought to convert Derby office building into student flats After acquiring Northgate House on Agard Street in Derby in December 2020, Staton Young has now submitted a planning application seeking permission to convert the building into student accommodation. Occupied by HMRC for over 30 years as the city’s principal tax office, the new proposals would transform the 45,000 square foot building into 166 student units for the academic year beginning in September 2022. Maber Architects in Derby are driving the design and planning, with Armson’s providing project management and cost consultancy advice. Maber have designed a mixture of singles and studios which all include communal kitchens. Plans are complete with a laundrette, gym facilities and 24/7 security. An open plan communal space would feature on the ground floor. Marc Brough, Managing Director, Staton Young, said: “Whilst our portfolio remains heavily centred on high quality serviced office space, we have been keen to move into the student accommodation sector for some time, and this deal, and our subsequent plans reemphasises our deep commitment to Derby. “We view Agard Street as a key University street, and we are very excited about the University of Derby’s proposed plans for developing their sites further south on Agard Street, and we see our scheme as wholly complementary, serving to meet the needs of growing numbers of students attracted to Derby.” 14 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Global drug delivery company expands at Charnwood Campus Global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Kindeva Drug Delivery has expanded its operations at Loughborough’s life sciences hub Charnwood Campus, in a deal expected to support Kindeva’s continued growth in the UK. The US-headquartered company will take over a state-of-the-art research and development facility at Charnwood Campus, and a further 20,000 square feet of office space at the site. Formerly 3M Drug Delivery Systems, Kindeva specialises in solving complex drug delivery and combination product challenges for its pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers, and currently employs over 500 staff in the UK across its two sites at Charnwood Campus, its Loughborough plant, and its Clitheroe plant. The company formulates, develops, and manufactures therapies used by patients suffering from serious health conditions including respiratory illnesses, central nervous system disorders, and cancer. Charnwood Campus is now home to four blue-chip organisations including Almac, 3M, Kindeva, and global diagnostics company PerkinElmer. Commenting on the deal, Gosia Khrais, Charnwood Campus Commercial Director says: “Kindeva’s expansion is great news for both the Charnwood site and the local area, with the company’s ambitious growth plans set to create new office-based roles as well as safeguard hundreds of highly valuable scientific jobs in Loughborough and the East Midlands. “The deal is another significant milestone in our long-term development plan and further reinforces the East Midlands’ and Loughborough’s reputation for outstanding pharmaceutical research and development.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:43 Page 9PROPERTY NEWS Online retailer signs major pre-let at East Midlands logistics hub A major pre-let has been secured at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway with a leading online retailer, which will include double-deck parking for 200 electric vans. The customer has agreed a 15-year lease for a 150,000 sq ft unit on a 21- acre site. The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building will be used as a distribution hub. The double-level vehicle parking areas will have the ability to provide electrical charging to all 200 van parking spaces on site. Other sustainable features include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and LED lighting. SEGRO has been able to provide an accelerated construction programme to enable the customer to expand its operations as quickly as possible. The accelerated programme will enable SEGRO to deliver the space to the customer in just over five months, rather than the nine months a standard build programme would take for a building of this size. The pre-let illustrates the developer’s ‘Responsible SEGRO’ commitment – a framework launched in February, which is anchored on three priority areas; championing low-carbon growth, investing in local communities and nurturing talent. Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director, National Logistics, SEGRO, said: “This pre-let is a brilliant example of how we are supporting our customers’ growth plans and showcases how we are helping them meet their sustainability goals. “The deal highlights the region’s increasing demand for modern, sustainable warehouse and industrial space, and how developments like SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway can provide the scale, location and connectivity to meet them.” Practical completion of the new unit is anticipated in August 2021. Aston Martin Formula 1 racing team swoops for Silverstone land parcel The owners of the Aston Martin Formula 1 racing team have completed the multi-million pound purchase of a parcel of land alongside its Silverstone Race Circuit base, giving their growth plans the green light. The 29-acres of farmland were sold to the team by farmer and landowner Steve Tustian with advice from Alastair Frew, head of the Business Property team of Midlands law firm Lodders. “The deal centred on the granting of an option for the F1 team to purchase the site,” explains Alastair, a partner in Lodders’ real estate practice. “Our client’s Litchlake Farm is located directly opposite the Silverstone Race Circuit and the parcel of land now owned by the Aston Martin team is ideal for its plans to develop its base at the iconic circuit with a new state of the art factory. “This is the second parcel of land Mr Tustian has sold to a motor racing company at Silverstone – he sold the first piece of land in 1990 to Eddie Jordan, and this site is now the hub of the new Aston Martin site.” Lodders was assisted by Simon Harris of Howkins & Harrison Chartered Surveyors. Plans to transform former Debenhams into over 300 apartments submitted Hammerson, owner and manager of the flagship destination Highcross, has submitted plans to redevelop the former Debenhams store at Highcross, St Peter’s Lane, Leicester, into new homes for rent. Hammerson has worked jointly with private-rented-sector specialist Packaged Living to develop the application. The submission follows a virtual public consultation which took place at the end of last year. The development, designed by CRTKL, would see the former Debenhams department store transformed into new homes for local residents, as well as providing major improvements to enliven East Bond Street, where the entrance will be located. On completion, the scheme will provide over 300 new homes and an improved public realm for the city alongside bespoke resident amenities including a roof garden. Packaged Living, the bespoke build-to-rent operator and developer, has been appointed as development manager, enabling Hammerson to utilise Packaged Living’s in-house investment, development and operational capabilities. This project is consistent with Hammerson’s target to be Net Positive for carbon emissions, water, resource use and socio-economic impacts by 2030. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 15 © Shutterstock /Adam Loader 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:43 Page 1016 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Food for thought A key sector and investment priority for the East Midlands, numerous new developments are advancing in the region to support the food and drink industry. Last month alone saw progress for several schemes which are set to enhance different stages of the supply chain on large and smaller scales. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:45 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 17 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MEG Group UK Bottling Plant 18 Á Supporting the future of agriculture, plans for a ‘Cluster Hub’ building at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone have been approved. Work is due to start this month on the multi-use space, for completion in early 2022, which will provide small and medium- sized business tenants with support services, networking, meeting and events space and catering, within the new Food Enterprise Zone near Holbeach. Designed by Core Architects, there will also be workshops and offices created for small or start-up businesses within agri- tech to establish themselves with access to the best support and expertise. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council, said: “The principal behind this building is to nurture collaboration between businesses and partners in the agri-tech industries, so they can share ideas and be at the heart of innovation. It reinforces the commitment we have in Greater Lincolnshire to become a world class destination in this industry. It’s important that we attract the big players in the food industry to our county, but equally important that we support smaller businesses to start out, grow, and thrive here.” The project has been funded by Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Getting Building Fund’. Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “The Hub building is such an exciting development for our global cluster of agri-tech businesses here in Greater Lincolnshire. The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:45 Page 218 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Zone is rapidly becoming the location of choice for UK food sector investments. This latest milestone means businesses will be able to co-locate with the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing and directly benefit from sector-focused innovation, skills and enterprise support. The Hub will be the place to encourage collaboration and stimulate sharing of ideas and best practice.” Showing confidence in a different aspect of the food industry - cold storage - Magnavale recently secured both planning and funding for the construction of a single, fully automated cold store with a capacity of 96,000 pallet spaces. The store in Easton, Lincolnshire, will be the largest ever built in the UK and due to the power requirements for this, Magnavale says it will not only be Europe’s most efficient cold storage facility but also run entirely on renewable energy. Construction of the project will create 230 jobs over two years, while 300 jobs will be created on a permanent basis to operate the facility. Magnavale’s Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Cogan, said: “The new store in Easton will play a key role in the future of our business and the cold storage sector more generally. Whether it is in terms of operational efficiency or carbon efficiency, our new facility will set the standard for the next generation of cold stores. The food industry and the UK more generally demand more from us as a key link in the supply chain, and we intend to live up to our mission statement of offering retailers and manufacturers alike the opportunity to shorten, simplify and de-risk their supply chains while also delivering a significant saving in their carbon footprint.” Meanwhile, in a major coup for Derby, a previously announced high-tech food manufacturing and distribution campus has taken new strides forward. With plans for SmartParc’s campus on the former Celanese site near Spondon submitted in January, Derby City Council have now agreed to support the development which could bring 5,000 jobs to Derby and boost the local economy by between £250 million and £300 million over ten years. The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has allocated a provisional £12 million towards the project from the Government’s Getting Building Fund and Derby City Council are to provide up to £5.5 million in direct support for the £300 million development. Designed to address challenges facing the food industry, the planned 1.8 million square foot collaborative hub will provide state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, start-up incubation units and a potential location for a Food Manufacturing Technology Centre of Excellence. The new South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) in Holbeach 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:45 Page 3Combining new purpose- built food production units with a central distribution facility, a technology centre and dedicated energy centres, SmartParc’s approach will bring food producers together to cluster knowledge and investment – reducing food waste, lowering carbon outputs, and increasing UK food security. The flagship Spondon site is part of SmartParc’s ambition to provide a new sustainable blueprint for the industry. This will harness the latest developments such as vertical farming and smart technology to improve production and energy efficiency, reducing costs and increasing competitive advantage for tenants. The development will transform a 112-acre brownfield, contaminated site. Once a decision on the scheme is made, it is hoped that work can commence during the summer, with phase one construction scheduled to begin before the end of the year. Further bolstering the region’s involvement in the food and drink industry, plans for a major bottling plant in Foston to serve Lidl have been confirmed. Claimed to be the “largest single investment in South Derbyshire since Toyota,” the 50,000 square metre water processing, bottling and distribution site is set to create hundreds of jobs, and an anticipated investment in excess of £50 million. A planning application was submitted to South Derbyshire District Council and approved by the authority’s planning committee in December 2019. Since then, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 19 SmartParc food manufacturing and distribution campus investigative works have been carried out on the land. Frank McCardle, Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “We have worked closely with the MEG team since their original enquiry, in bringing this new state-of-the- art production facility to South Derbyshire, on Dove Valley Park. This major inward investment has been secured through a dedicated approach, supported by the many benefits of locating in our District. Job creation is always welcome along with energy efficient technology that this plant will incorporate.” Work on the bottling plant is scheduled to start in the summer and will provide the first production plant in the UK for the MEG Group. Once set up, the facility will supply Lidl with mineral water and soft drinks for its supermarkets across the UK and Ireland. Construction complete on Lincolnshire agri-food research and development facility Food industry businesses will soon be able to benefit from state-of-the-art technology at a brand-new, bespoke agri-food research and development facility in Lincolnshire. With construction now complete, the University of Lincoln’s Centre of Excellence in Agri-food Technologies is the first building on site at the new South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach, and the latest development in an ambitious vision to put Lincolnshire on the map as a global leader in the agri-tech sector. Building on the success of the University’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), it will act as an innovation hub – primarily promoting the rapid uptake of advanced technologies such as robotics and automation across the food supply chain. Expert staff will be based at the Centre, including industry scientists and their support teams, uniquely focused on delivering innovation support services, pioneering research, skills provision and knowledge exchange for agri-food businesses across Lincolnshire and beyond, strengthening the county’s position as a key player in the agri-tech sector. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/04/2021 08:45 Page 4Next >