Cooke & Arkwright
News
Architectural manoeuvres
30/10/08
Architectural Steel Services Ltd has acquired 15,500 sq ft on a 10 year lease at Blackwood Business Park in Gwent and invested one quarter of a million pounds in new equipment to meet increasing demand from its major clients in the construction and heavy fabrication industry.
John Jones of Cooke & Arkwright, joint agent acting for the landlord Norfleet Properties (Holdings) Limited, the property management subsidiary of Hawtin, said that the fact that the unit came with a fully fitted 20 tonne gantry crane had been a deciding factor when potential locations were being considered.
“It was the right decision because almost as soon as they moved in, a 14 tonne bridge deck was delivered for alteration. The clear-span nature and size of the unit combined with essential lifting equipment in-situ made this possible,” he said. “I am delighted that we have secured Architectural Steel Services as the first tenant at Blackwood Business Park. Given the park’s location in relation to their existing facility on Leeway Industrial Estate in Newport it was the obvious choice.”
Architectural Steel Services was founded as a family business in Newport around five years ago by current managing director Will Hodge and his late father. The company started out constructing staircases and balustrades, but rapidly expanded into large fabrication as demand grew from construction companies. Within nine months of start-up the firm had to move to larger accommodation and today occupies over 23,000 sq ft at two sites.
“Since moving to Blackwood we have taken on two new apprentices and an extra operator,” said Mike Hodge, who is Will’s brother. “We are looking for new staff on an ongoing basis as the operation runs seven days a week and is undergoing constant expansion. If we hadn’t moved when we did we would have jeopardised the business. Our ability to react at short notice and turn around orders to tight deadlines is what keeps us ahead, coupled with continuous investment back into the company. Two years ago we purchased a high definition Plasma Profiler and we’ve just invested in a fully automated Drill Saw-line.”
Managing director Will Hodge explained that the company was entirely self-financed. “All our profits go back into the business and we don’t benefit from grants. We are also supporting our apprentices who attend college two days a week. There is a shortage of skilled staff generally in the industry and it is something that needs to be addressed in the short and longer term.”
DTZ acted as joint agents.
Pictured, l to r: Michelle Smith, Architectural Steel; John Jones, Cooke & Arkwright; Mike Hodge, Architectural Steel