R-evolution at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP): New Industrial Development Supports World-Class Manufacturing

Monday, 13 January 2014

Harworth Estates, developer of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Sheffield City Region, has recently announced plans for a further 100,000 sq. ft. of industrial units on the site. R-evolution @ The AMP will be the first speculative scheme in Yorkshire since the start of the economic downturn, designed to meet latent demand from small and medium-sized businesses wanting to be part of the AMP's on-going success.

In this piece, we investigate how this latest development has been made possible, looking into the technologies, companies and facilities that have made the AMP the UK's 'premier Advanced Manufacturing Technology Park'.

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) - An Overview

Located close to junction 33 of the M1 in South Yorkshire, the AMP is a 150 acre Technology Park focused on providing 'advanced manufacturing technology solutions to industry'. The site is a key component in Harworth Estates' Waverley development - a new, 740 acre business and residential community, and Yorkshire's largest mixed-use brownfield development.

The Advanced Manufacturing Park includes:

A 20-acre Technology Zone - accommodating several UK and world-leading manufacturing Research and Technology Organisations.

The AMP Technology Centre - 50,000 sq. ft. of managed workshop, office and laboratory space for small-scale, manufacturing technology companies and research teams.

Evolution @ the AMP - the Park's first speculatively built development of industrial and 'hybrid' units, totalling 94,000 sq. ft.

Large-scale, purpose built industrial facilities, including two major Rolls-Royce manufacturing operations.

74 acres of available development land, for a range of uses including high-tech manufacturing/industrial (B1, B2, B8), research and development/education and HQ offices (B1).

The AMP Difference: Global Technology Leadership

The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future at the AMP
During the last decade, regions across the UK invested heavily in industry 'cluster development' projects, including Science and Technology Park, designed to stimulate jobs and growth. Many failed, because the regions in which they were developed simply lacked the 'strength in depth' - people, knowledge and businesses - to attract the best companies in target industry sectors.

The Advanced Manufacturing Park was different. The project has its origins in cutting-edge technology collaborations between a leading engineering university - the University of Sheffield - and global 'OEM' companies including Boeing and Rolls-Royce. These collaborations were, in turn, underpinned by the Sheffield City Region's areas of specialist manufacturing expertise - advanced materials, metals and innovative technologies including high-performance machining. Finally, these capabilities were matched by the availability of land that could accommodate their requirements and allow for future agglomeration.

As a result, the AMP is now, arguably, the UK's leading centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing technologies, and AMP-based research organisations are central to the government's 'High Value Manufacturing' strategy. Of the UK's seven, strategic 'High Value Manufacturing Catapult' centres, created to 'commercialise the world class output of the UK's science base,' two are located at the AMP. [a]

The AMP's research organisations and facilities now include:

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC), University of Sheffield: a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research (an HVM Catapult Centre).

The Nuclear AMRC, the University of Sheffield: developing technologies for the civil nuclear industry (an HVM Catapult Centre).

The Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future: the AMRC's 69,000 sq. ft. main facility, including workshop, laboratory, office and conference space.

Castings Technology International (Cti): the world's leading provider of technology, expertise and services to the cast metals sector.

TWI: a leading Research and Technology Organisation, specialising in welding, fabrication and materials technologies.

The AMP Proposition to Manufacturing Companies

The technology solutions provided at the AMP are part of an overall site proposition to manufacturing companies which includes:

Direct access to technology and collaborative R&D solutions that enable companies to manufacture products 'faster, better and cheaper'.

The prestige of locating at a leading advanced manufacturing centre of excellence, alongside major global companies.

Enterprise Zone benefits, including Business Rates Relief worth up to £275,000 over 5 years for SMEs, and Fast Track Planning for some categories of developments.

The AMP: Home to Leading Global Manufacturers

The AMP's powerful site proposition has attracted some of the biggest names in global manufacturing, including:

Sandvik, which has a 20,000 sq. ft. Research and Development facility on site.

Rolls-Royce, which has two key facilities on site: the 160,000 sq. ft Advanced Blade Casting Facility (presently under construction, projected for completion by mid-2014) and the 226,000 sq. ft. Civil Nuclear Manufacturing Facility (projected to be operational by 2015).

Liebherr - the world's number one mobile crane manufacturer.

Materialise Group, who deliver rapid industrial and medical prototyping and have the largest 3D printer in Europe.

Mori Seike - a global machine tool manufacturer.

See the full list of companies located at the AMP here.

Industrial Property Developments at the AMP

Evolution...

The AMP's winning formula resulted in high levels of interest from advanced manufacturing companies for accommodation on the site. In 2008, Harworth Estates responded to this demand by delivering Evolution @ the AMP - 94,000 sq. ft. of speculative industrial/hybrid units in a range of sizes from 2,500 sq. ft. to 27,000 sq. ft.

Demand for Evolution out-performed the market significantly. In early 2013, BNP Paribas Real Estate said that 'the AMP is marching ahead of neighbouring sites in terms of new deals. Evolution @ the AMP is fully let - demand is exceeding current supply. This is very unusual in the current market.'

...and R-evolution

In December 2013, Harworth Estates announced that planning consent had been secured for R-evolution @ the AMP - the second phase of speculative industrial development on the site, comprising 100,000 sq. ft. of industrial units on 7 acres, in a range of sizes from 10,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. Building is expected to begin in April 2014, subject to securing reserve planning matters.

As the first speculative scheme in Yorkshire for over 6 years, R-evolution is testament to the AMP's winning formula, and Harworth Estates' commitment to meeting demand for high-quality industrial accommodation in the Yorkshire area.

To find out more about R-evolution @ the AMP, please contact Campbell Carruth, Director of Business Space at Harworth Estates on:

T: +44 (0)114 254 1226
E: ccarruth@harworthestates.co.uk

The AMP and Logistics Hub UK: 'Make It, Then Ship It'

As well as being one of the UK's leading locations for logistics and distribution, Sheffield City Region is at the forefront of UK manufacturing.

For companies in the logistics sector, Sheffield City Region presents business opportunities from large-scale manufacturers that typically export 80% [b] of their output. In addition to the AMP companies profiled here, the City Region is home to major exporting producers including Tata Steel, Outokumpu, Pegler, Sheffield Forgemasters, Polypipe and Firth Rixson.

Sources:
[a] High Value Manufacturing Strategy 2012-15, Technology Strategy Board (UK government)
[b] Creative Sheffield

Author
Nick Smillie
Logistics Hub UK Project Team