Leading property investment and development company, ARK Estates, has welcomed the latest high profile tenant of the new Inverness Airport Business Park (IAPB) with the ahead-of-schedule handover of a new purpose-built 10,000sq.ft Scottish Distribution & Training Hub for global wind energy company, ENERCON.
William Gray (ARK Estates (Scotland) Managing Director) and Julian Martin (Managing Director of ENERCON Services UK Ltd) were joined by Kelly Horn (Business Support Manager of ENERCON Services UK Ltd), Inglis Lyon (HIAL Managing Director) and Brian Innes (from principal contractor, IBI Joiners) for the official handover of the new airport base.
The 10,000 sq.ft unit, which was built with the support of a €200,000 (up to £173,000) grant from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) comprises a 6,320sq.ft warehouse and 4,080sq.ft office split over two floors and will serve as ENERCON’s flagship’ Scottish Distribution and Training Centre.
The German renewables energy giant will employ 20 permanent staff at its IABP Scottish Distribution & Training Hub with further recruitment and expansion anticipated. The site will also become ENERCON’s main UK Training Centre. Over 200 technicians are expected to receive training at the company’s new base in the first year alone.
William Gray of ARK Estates said:
“We are delighted to hand over ENERCON’s new Scottish flagship site over a month ahead of schedule. Colin Armstrong Architects and principal contractor IBI Joinery Ltd. have done a fantastic job with the building. As with many of our other pre-let industrial builds, this one was a bespoke build to meet the client’s needs, providing them with a turn-key solution, which they are delighted with.”
Julian Martin, ENERCON UK MD, commented:
“With the completion of ENERCON’s new main Parts Distribution & Training Centre, we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to Inverness as the central hub for the operation and maintenance of our wind turbine fleet and technician training in Great Britain. The IABP site, backed by HIE, was selected as ENERCON’s preferred location after an extensive property market research in the Inverness area. ARK Estates and IBI Joiners have delivered a purpose built facility ahead of time, that will meet ENERCON’s current and future requirements, with convenient UK and International travel through Inverness Airport, national rail and road connections.”
Brian Innes of principal contractor, IBI Joiners Ltd, said:
“IBI Joiners would like to thank William Gray from ARK Estates for giving us the opportunity to be involved in this project. It has been a pleasure to work with ARK and Inverness Airport Business Park on such an exciting development.
We feel proud to have delivered our largest task to date alongside our local supply chain working closely with ENERCON to deliver what is to be their Scottish Flagship site.”
IABP Chairman, James Campbell, said:
“We are delighted to welcome ENERCON Services UK to Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP). We worked closely with Ark Estates and IBI Joiners throughout the build programme and I’d like to thank everyone involved for making the development happen. The groundworks only started in May 2019 so it is amazing to see a bespoke facility of this scale and quality being built in such a short space of time. ENERCON Services UK becomes the fourth occupier at IABP and their arrival is great news not only for IABP but also Inverness Airport and the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel which is due to open soon.”
Inglis Lyon, HIAL Managing Director, said:
“Inverness Airport Business Park continues to go from strength to strength and ENERCON Services UK will be a welcome addition to the companies and organisations who are already benefiting from the proximity of IABP to the airport. I wish the ENERCON Service UK team every success and prosperity in the future.”
James Gibbs, Area Manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), commented:
“We are delighted that an important business in the renewable energy supply chain has chosen to locate at Inverness Airport Business Park. IABP offers great opportunities for local businesses and inward investment looking for space to accommodate growth and with excellent UK and international transport links.”
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Associated Media Coverage: Inverness Courier – see article