Robert Hitchins Ltd to build new warehouse for PCI Pharma Services, Bridgend

L-R: Kevin Williams from PCI Pharma Services, Rob Ladd from Cushman and Wakefield, John Jones from Robert Hitchins Limited and Rachel Griffiths from PCI Pharma Services

Developer Robert Hitchins Ltd is to build a new warehouse at Central Park on Bridgend Industrial Estate, opening the door for tenant PCI Pharma Services to expand.

Known as Plot 2500, the site had approval for several units similar in size to neighbouring Units 2000-2400. Robert Hitchins Ltd has now gained planning permission from Bridgend County Borough Council to increase the size of the approved building.

The developers will provide 37,500 sq ft in one modern, well-designed unit for PCI Pharma Services which will enhance the offering of modern industrial buildings at Central Park as well as allowing PCI Pharma to grow.

The new unit of steel portal frame construction will incorporate warehouse and office areas on the ground and first floor. Access will be from both the new estate road off Western Avenue and from George Street.

PCI Pharma Services (formerly Biotec Services International) has been a tenant on the estate at Biotec House (11,000 sq ft) since 2007 and expanded into units 2010 and 2130 Central Park (22,000 sq ft) in 2012. It is the global healthcare industry’s leading packaging solutions provider.

Its parent company is a full-service provider of outsourced pharmaceutical services including drug development and manufacture, clinical trial supply including packaging, labelling and global distribution services for investigational medicines as well as contract packaging services for commercial medicines for the global healthcare industry.

In addition to Bridgend, PCI operates in three other locations in Wales: Tredegar, Hay-on-Wye and Treforest.

PCI Senior Vice President – International, Richard Yarwood, said: “We see this investment as a tremendous opportunity to expand our capacity and capability in anticipation of continued growth.

“We see significant demand for supporting our pharmaceutical and Biotech clients with their investigational medicines and the Bridgend site is well positioned to help us realise our growth plans.

“The site expansion will allow us to further support our clients in expediting the development of lifesaving medicines to patients around the world.

“All our properties at the Bridgend site have been developed by Robert Hitchins which means they have a great understanding of our requirements for the new building.”

Asset and Development Manager for Robert Hitchins, John Jones, said the development represented confidence in Bridgend: “This reinvestment into Bridgend is good news for Central Park. We’re delighted to be in a position to provide a high-quality unit for an expanding global business.

“We have a further three development plots available which have the benefit of outline planning consent for up to 150,000 sq ft.”

Robert Hitchins Ltd is represented by Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton. PCI Pharma Services are represented by Cushman & Wakefield.

Robert Hitchins Ltd, based at Boddington, Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.