Fusion in top gear with car showroom projects

West Midlands-based building consultancy Fusion is in top gear after securing contracts to project manage the build of five multi-million pound showrooms for three automotive giants.

The company is currently providing project management, quantity surveying and CMDC services on more than £19 million worth of showrooms across the UK for major car brands Audi, Ford and Porsche.

It is just about to complete works on a new £6.8 million Audi showroom in Scotswood Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The 35,000 sq ft premises on the 4.5 acre site, owned by Benfield Motors, is due to open this month (June 2014) and will comprise a 17-car showroom, 17-bay workshop, used car display area for 79 vehicles, and a valeting area.

Fusion, based in Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, has completed another high-profile project for Benfield Motors, providing project management, quantity surveying and CMDC services for a new £5.8 million flagship Ford dealership on Newcastle Road, Sunderland.

The motor group has also submitted a planning application for an Audi dealership in Wearside.

David Collins, Benfield’s group director, said: “We are delighted with the support that Fusion has given us from the concept stage through to the execution and finished development.

“It is important when undertaking such prestige projects to work with partners who can deliver exactly what is needed to an exceptionally high standard because our customers expect nothing less.”

Earlier this year, Fusion completed the redevelopment of an existing Audi showroom in Cheltenham as part of a £2m investment from Blade Motor Group.

The 16-car showroom, with servicing bay and shop, on Tewkesbury Road, is located on one of the busiest junctions in Gloucestershire, being in the heart of a retail park.

Mike Flanagan, managing director of Blade Motor Group, which moved its operations from Gloucester to Cheltenham, creating an additional 15 jobs, said: “This is a prime location and so it was important for us to get it right. Fusion totally rebuilt the site and they did a very good job, managing the whole project.”

Trebor Developments has appointed Fusion to act as employer agents and quantity surveyors on the build of a new £5 million Porsche Centre in Wolverhampton. The scheme, which will be located at the Gateway site on junction 2 of the M54, was recently granted planning permission by Wolverhampton Council. Work is scheduled to start on site in spring 2014 with the dealership due to open in the early part of 2015.

Fusion director Gavin Stephens said: “Car dealerships are becoming a key sector for us and we are excited to be working with these prestigious automotive brands to open five new showrooms across the UK over the next two years.

“We are also delighted to work with a new client, Benfield Motor Group, which will see Fusion build its first Ford showroom and help Benfield roll out a new design concept for Audi in the North East and Midlands.”