Member Article

KAEFER Plans for Future Growth

Commercial property developer Rokeby Developments Northern (Rokeby), has announced a letting for additional office space at its prestigious development on Bowesfield Lane, Stockton.

Rokeby recently confirmed that KAEFER International Marine and Offshore Ltd (KAEFER), part of the global KAEFER Group, had signed a five year lease agreement taking an additional 1,200 sqft.

Originally leasing 1,000 sqft, KAEFER has more than doubled its floor plate and now occupies the majority of the top floor of Unit 2A, Surtees Business Park. Signing up to this significant increase in floor space indicates KAEFER’s commitment to the Tees Valley region and confidence in its plans for expansion allowing the company to meet future growth.

In 2007 Rokeby, who commenced speculative development on the business park, completed the biggest pre-let deal on Teesside for a decade signing up Aker Kvaerner Business Partner Ltd, now known as Jacobs, as anchor tenant.

Sometime later that year Vianet (formerly Brulines) followed suit, moving to Unit 1. To date Rokeby has developed a total of 86,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation on the business park and converted an existing building into the Surtees Business Centre, which provides easy-in easy-out serviced office space for start-ups and small businesses.

Speaking about its expanded accommodation, KAEFER’s , managing director, Craig Rose , said:

“We’re delighted with our new space. Rokeby have been very accommodating with our requirements for a flexible working environment. As our business grows and the number of personnel increases, our needs are constantly changing as we secure new UK and International projects. KAEFER is delighted to have found secure, modern offices at Surtees Business Park.

“Surtees Business Park is a great location for us and being able to extend our office space without the need to move has been an added bonus. Working closely with Rokeby, who adopt a very flexible approach on behalf of tenants, we have been able to reconfigure the additional space to match our needs as a growing business creating meeting rooms, breakout spaces and open plan work spaces.”

Rokeby’s director Adrian Goodall, added:

“I am delighted that we have been able to assist KAEFER with this latest letting. I believe the business park is a prime location in the region particularly for those companies requiring hi-spec modern office accommodation. I also think that unlike larger developers, where tenants or indeed potential buyers benefit from working with a developer like ourselves, is our ability to be totally flexible when it comes to arranging floor plates or agreeing terms . We still have available space at Surtees and whilst the market continues to be tough, I am confident that as it is such a good location, we will fill the space in due course.”

There is currently 12,000 sqft of available space at Surtees Business Park and the letting agents acting for Rokeby are Dodds Brown and Sanderson Weatherall.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leigh Chelton .