sbh completes new munitions factory project for Highbridge and BAE

28-01-2011

Industrial and warehousing property specialist sbh has successfully project-managed a new multi-million pound manufacturing and office facility in Washington, Sunderland, for defence giant BAE. The company is taking the facility on a long-term lease from specialist developer Highbridge Properties.

The 28,020m² (301,600ft²) 6m internal height production area also has a 14m high section for specialised services. Offices, conference facilities and a welfare block including a canteen, toilets and washing facilities occupy a further 3,183m² (34,260ft²).The main building is finished with profiled cladding and low level facing brickwork, and the offices include an atrium.  Designed to comply with the latest environmental and energy-management legislation, the building will achieve a very good BREEAM rating.
 

Highbridge Properties supplied a completed shell withheating, lighting, power and other utilities in place.  sbh helped specify and project manage the additional facilities and services needed for BAE’s advanced munitions manufacturing technology. 

External facilities include 290 car parking spaces, stores, a sprinkler pump housing and high security fencing and access controls.

BAE staff were deeply involved in the new design, which provides a very high quality working environment.  BAE Systems’ Simon Miller explained:” The site is closer for most of our employees and many can cycle to work on the coast-to-coast cycle track.  We have included a number of features such as modern changing rooms and welfare services to provide staff with a pleasant and supportive environment.“

Piet Pulford of Highbridge Properties commented: “sbh has a great team and their knowledge and experience in this type of work made them the obvious choice for such an important project. We have forged a highly successful partnership with them that is helping us deliver great value specialist facilities to a growing number of world-class occupiers.”