M&G Real Estate and Trebor Developments have appointed A&H Construction Limited as main contractor for a new 325,000 sq ft industrial facility in Redditch.

Construction will start in November, with the scheme expected to be complete and ready to welcome the tenant, Pilkington Automotive, by Summer 2020. The project involves the construction of a 72,000 sq ft extension to the facility and alterations to the existing structure to create a leading edge manufacturing operation – all of which will be undertaken while Pilkington’s distribution operations continue as usual.

The development will provide high quality manufacturing national distribution facilities for automotive glass specialist Pilkington, which is relocating from its existing manufacturing site in Kings Norton. The company, which is owned by Japan’s NSG Group, is consolidating its UK operations within the Redditch site.

Chris Jeffs, Director, Investment Management at M&G Real Estate commented: “This appointment will enable us to deliver our proactive asset management approach to this site, working with our tenant, Pilkington Automotive, to deliver a high quality combined manufacturing and distribution facility that meets its current and future needs. We actively invest in the development market, with an emphasis on delivering good quality modern developments in supply-constrained locations. Securing a pre-let to an existing occupier for this extension makes it a natural investment choice that will deliver rental income and grow the value of this high quality industrial holding.”

Mark Wright, Partner leading the project for Trebor Developments, commented: “A&H Construction have delivered a number of major industrial projects for Trebor Developments over the last few years and we welcome their appointment. This is a complex project which has involved very careful coordination with M&G Real Estate and the tenant and we look forward to helping extend and improve this facility.”

Rob Purcell, NSG Group’s Head of Automotive Original Equipment across Europe said: “Redditch will become the consolidated centre for our automotive operations throughout the UK when we take full occupation in the second half of 2020. This new future-proofed facility will allow us to continue to develop glass products for our customers’ vehicle automation and electrification initiatives.”

M&G Real Estate was represented by Trebor Developments and NSG Group by JLL.