First Tenant for Flagship Enterprise Zone Development

A leading software and automation solutions provider has become the first tenant in a landmark development at a flagship UK Enterprise Zone.

Expansion and product development have prompted Lymm-based Conveyor Networks to relocate to the new Techspace office and laboratory development at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

Established in 2009, Conveyor Networks provides warehouse software and automation solutions to retail and e-commerce businesses in the UK.

The company has signed terms to become the first tenant in Techspace Two, one of two sister buildings being built on the site. The project was supported by the ERDF programme 2007–2013.

Together with Techspace One, it will provide 56,000 sq ft of speculative Grade A office and laboratory space at the Sci-Tech Daresbury Enterprise Zone.

Work on the developments will be completed this summer and is part of a £20m investment into the site including development of the public realm and campus infrastructure, as well as the new buildings.

Conveyor Networks Managing Director David Carroll said the combination of engineering and high tech expertise at Sci-Tech Daresbury offered the perfect fit for his business, which was seeing increased demand for software and technology-led logistics solutions as well as growth in its core automation business.

Conveyor Networks’ current offering is based on a solid understanding of automation and its ability to create efficiency savings throughout the logistics process.

The company’s expertise has driven the successful development of its IMIO warehouse software suite, which is in place at e-retailers such as QVC, WHSmith and Debenhams.

Conveyor Networks’ business goals for the next five years focus on growth driven by new product development, excellent customer care and the ability to understand and react to developments in logistics and e-commerce.

Conveyor Networks will occupy the ground floor of TechSpace Two when it takes up its tenancy, locating 16 staff at its new home. The new space means the business can take advantage of the opportunities for networking, developing its partner base and adding more value to its offering.

Mr Carroll added:

“The pace of change in logistics is fast and it’s crucial for us to stay ahead of this and offer customers long-term partnership and support. We’ve already seen the benefits of the connections at Sci-Tech Daresbury which have helped us develop initiatives quickly and cost effectively.”

Techspace One is a three-storey 46,000 sq ft building consisting of Grade A office space along with wet and dry laboratory facilities, each on its own floor. It is expected to attract companies from sectors such as biomedical, material science, instrumentation and clean technology.

The building includes high-speed internet connectivity and will provide accommodation of between 900 sq ft and 2,400 sq ft units.

Techspace Two is a two-storey self-contained Grade A office building providing 10,000 sq ft of space. It will provide companies from sectors such as digital/ ICT, advanced engineering and clean technology with their own ‘front door’ at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

The Enterprise Zone status of both buildings means that tenants will be eligible to benefit from five years’ relief on local authority business rates.

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a private-public joint-venture partnership between developer Langtree, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Halton Borough Council.

John Downes, Managing Director of Langtree, said:

“Speculative office and laboratory developments are rare in the current market but we were very confident that the compelling offer which Sci-Tech Daresbury represents would prove attractive to tenants.”

“Techspace represents the very highest standard of workspace for high growth companies, with both requirements for specific technical facilities and to be part of a technology community where collaboration and innovation are at the heart of enterprise.”

“We are delighted to welcome Conveyor Networks as our first Techspace tenant and look forward to supporting them as they continue their exciting growth journey.”