German tool manufacturer Guhring has become the second firm to commit to Birminghamâs Advanced Manufacturing hub, completing a key stage in the facilityâs development.
Last year, the business bought 3.5 acres of land at the hub in Aston and the steel framework of the structure has now been put in place.
The milestone has come after the first tenant at the site, HydraForce Hydraulics, has officially opened its 120,000 sq ft facility.
Guhring supplies a number of automotive brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and BMW and, in conjunction with BAE Systems, is developing a 50,000 sq ft factory which is set to be completed by January 2017.
The factory will be home to the companyâs research and development operations, along with the full manufacturing process.
Similarly to HydraForce, some of the work has been moved from their former site in Birmingham, in this case Castle Bromwich, where Guhring has been based for over 25 years.
Eventually, the two companies will be joined by a third tenant, which is expected to be based in the hubâs first speculative development, known as Apollo.
Trebor Developments will build Apollo, together with Aviva Investors after the 94,500 sq ft unit secured planning permission earlier in the summer.
Savills brokered the land deal for Guhring and their Industrial Director, Charlie Spicer, commented: The completion of the steel framework is a significant milestone for Guhringâs facility and the progression of the AMH as a whole. Construction of the first speculative development, Apollo, (has) started which is a further sign of the schemeâs growing maturity.
Meanwhile, Guhring Managing Director, Mike Dinsdale, said that the search for the right site in the right location had been a time consuming and business delaying process until the Aston Manufacturing Hub became available.
Dinsdale added: With construction well under way, our staff are eagerly looking forward to relocating to a purpose built, high tech facility in this famous area of the city which is now being transformed.
