Wakemans on board for Pilkington Automotive’s new national distribution centre

Property and construction consultancy Wakemans is working on a new extension and refurbishment for a manufacturing and distribution centre in Redditch, which is set to boost capacity for Pilkington’s automotive group.

In a development team led by Trebor Developments, Wakemans is appointed as Quantity Surveyor, Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer on the multi-million pound scheme.

Planning consent has been granted for the facility, which involves the design and construction of a major extension to the existing building – let to Pilkington – together with additional car parking, service yard alterations and a gatehouse. The office and warehouse space will also be refurbished, providing a total building of 325,000 sq. ft.

Divisional Director Andrew Hancock, who heads the industrial and logistics division at Wakemans, said: “This is an important initiative that will maximise the site’s development potential. It also poses a series of challenges for the construction team, as the aim is to ensure minimal disruption to Pilkington Automotive’s existing distribution set-up in Redditch, which will operate as usual throughout the works.”

Pilkington Automotive will relocate its manufacturing operations to the new facility from its current base in Kings Norton. The move not only supports plans for the continued development of its glass products, but will also see the company consolidate its UK operations in Redditch.

Trebor Developments is working in conjunction with M&G Real Estate on the scheme, which is part of Trebor’s 3 million sq. ft. current UK industrial implementation programme. Contractor A&H Construction is on site and the new facility will be ready for full occupation in summer 2020.