Pump specialist chooses Cardiff for strategic hub

Fast-growing pump specialist Pioneer Pump Solutions Ltd has chosen the Llandough Trading Estate in Cardiff as the site for its third strategic UK hub.

The company, part of a major American corporation, was set up at the start of the year to hire pumping equipment to the mining, quarry and emergency sectors. It has taken a 10 year lease on the 6,595 sq ft Unit 18 at Llandough Trading Estate on Penarth Road at a rent rising to £30,000 per annum. Landlord Highcross was advised in the transaction by joint agents Knight Frank and Fletcher Morgan.

Tom Nicholson, managing director at Pioneer Pump, said: “We are establishing a series of super hubs around the country and chose Cardiff as our base to serve an area stretching throughout Wales and over towards London.”

Rex Lawday has been appointed regional manager, South Wales and West, for Pioneer Pump. The company anticipates creating around a dozen jobs in Cardiff during its first 12 months.

Neil Francis, associate at Knight Frank, said: “Pioneer Pump needed a large workshop with good office space and a yard to store and equipment safely and Unit 18 ticked all the boxes. By refurbishing vacant units, the landlord is able to attract quality occupiers who in previous years would have taken newly constructed space elsewhere.”

Tom Merrifield of Fletcher Morgan said: “The Llandough Trading Estate has a great location near to the city centre yet with good access to the motorway. It’s a popular choice.”

The estate, which includes 22 industrial/trade counter unit, is prominently located fronting Penarth Road and was purchased by property fund manager Highcross in late 2010.

Highcross has upgraded the estate and enhanced its profile and fully refurbishes vacant units in line with occupier requirements.