First pre-let deal confirmed at North West business park’s new £16m development

From left: Richard Hames – General Manager, Ariadna Cañellas - Finance Manager, Stewart Taylor – Supply Chain Manager

Worldwide leader in Specialised Diagnostics, Werfen, is close to completing a pre-let deal for the latest development at Birchwood Park, the North West’s largest out of town business destination, after expanding its warehouse space following a period of growth.

A pre-let agreement, Werfen is the first deal secured in the latest phase of the successful Cavendish Warehouse development at Birchwood Park, which is due to complete in Q1 2023.

Werfen’s core business offer is in the areas of Hemostasis, Acute Care Diagnostics and Autoimmunity. Through its Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) business line, the company researches, develops and manufactures customized assays and biomaterials.

Werfen will be doubling its space to 35,000 sq. ft. and will ensure its UK base in Warrington can become the company’s dedicated distribution and logistics centre, increasing its efficiency and output with three times the previous storage capacity.

This latest development is an evolution of Birchwood Park’s ‘modern hybrid’ design, providing versatile units to accommodate businesses looking for high quality, secure warehouse space with the flexibility to increase office space as required.

Werfen confirmed its interest in the new warehouse space not long after construction officially commenced in June 2022. An occupier at the park since 2016, it was the community-focused environment and the diversity of its offering that brought Werfen to Birchwood Park six years ago, as well as the on-site nursery that Werfen staff has utilised to support their wellbeing and work life balance.

Werfen General Manager Richard Hames commented: “We’re delighted to be expanding our warehouse space here at Birchwood Park, allowing us to further improve the processing of customer deliveries, as well as supporting our business-wide sustainability objectives in 2023.

“Our warehouse space at Birchwood Park has helped to support the evolution of our business over the years due it’s ideal location in the heart of the North West, as well as looking after the workplace wellbeing of our staff with its many facilities and wellbeing initiatives. We’re excited to continue our work here and we’re thankful that the unique and flexible offering at the Park has allowed us to expand our space and grow the Werfen team accordingly.”

Birchwood Park Commercial Director Martin O’Rourke added: “I am delighted that Werfen is the first occupier to expand into one of our new units, which incorporates all the lessons from previous developments to offer modern facilities to help attract and retain staff for our occupiers. More importantly, we have been able to incorporate within the design the latest measures to help Werfen achieve its sustainability goals.

“Alongside the flexible, hybrid design of the office, we understand the staff at Werfen often enjoy the various amenities across the Park, namely the on-site gym and the EngineRooms lunchtime offering. We hope as Werfen’s operations continue to grow, more and more of the team nationwide and perhaps globally will be able to visit us here at Birchwood Park.”

As well as existing occupiers growing their offices and warehouse space, the Park has also welcomed several other new businesses in the last few months, including foreign exchange traders FX Cartel and engineering consultants Richter.