The 82,000 sq ft unit, comprising a 43,300 sq ft manufacturing space with 38,500 sq ft of office space, is due for completion by summer 2016. When complete, Joy Global will move operations from its existing location at Ince in Wigan to the state-of-the-art new facility.
“We’ve outgrown our current home as business has increased over recent years,” said Kim Owen, employee benefits manager at Joy Global, “so it’ll be great to have everyone in the same office together.”
Owen, who was on hand to cut the first sod along with Joy Global Engineering Project Manager Richard Hopper, said the new location on the M61 will be ideal for recruitment as well as supply chain and distribution for the international company.
Designed by APL Architects and engineers from Healy Consulting, the purpose-built facility will feature several unique elements to allow for the testing of heavy equipment and machinery used for mining. Reinforced internal and external floor slab will support machines of up to 100 tonnes, while pits approximately 3.5m deep have been designed to enable testing of roof support equipment used in the mining industry, which are put through their paces with loads up to 2,500 tonnes.
The new facility will be the UK hub for the company’s JoySmart Solutions, an integrated package of services which support the customer’s use and management of the machinery the business supplies.
“Having a purpose-built facility will allow our expert team to develop the products and services that we provide to clients and further improve our ability to help solve their toughest mining challenges,” Hopper said.
Andrew Russell, director of Russells Construction, added: “It’s great to get started on the Joy Global project. As a client they have been great to work with and very clear in their requirements. We’ve put together a team with vast experience of large industrial schemes and bespoke hi-tech facilities to deliver this programme, and we’re looking forward to handing over the keys next summer.”
This is the third unit to be built at Logistics North, Howarth Estates’ new 550-acre industrial park at junction 4 of the M61.
