High tech engineering firm set for move to South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Park

MetLase, a joint venture between engineering giant Rolls-Royce and Unipart, the manufacturing, logistics and consultancy group, is the first letting at a new 32,000 sq ft building set to open at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in South Yorkshire.

The company, which will create 30 technical engineering jobs over the next two years, has taken 10,000 sq ft of space in a deal facilitated by management and lettings agents, Creative Space Management (CSM).

MetLase uses high precision, laser cutting technology, combined with patented assembly and joining systems, to enable engineers to produce prototypes rapidly.

The MetLase technology originated in the aerospace industry and will now be available to companies in other sectors for the first time.

The new building, which is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and is set to open later this month, has been designed and built by contractors Britcon, working alongside AHR Architects and WYG Engineers.

The building will provide workshop and office space for technology and engineering companies, offering 11 flexible spaces between 1,000 and 3,600 sq ft.

SME companies from the neighbouring Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre will also be provided with the opportunity to expand into larger premises.

The AMP Technology Centre is now home to more than 50 high growth companies and CSM has maintained occupancy there close to 100% while supporting companies to grow into units further afield on the Park.

Paul Taylor from Creative Space Management, said: “We’re delighted to welcome MetLase as the first letting for the new building. There are very few developments in the region which can accommodate specialist advanced engineering and manufacturing companies, but this building had been designed with exactly those types of companies in mind.

“As well as offering a mix of both office and workshop units,its Enterprise Zone location means that eligible business will benefit from business rates relief. We’d encourage companies working within the sector who are looking to expand to contact us now, as we expect a high demand for the limited number of spaces available.”

Steve Dunn, MetLase’s managing director, added: “We’re looking forward to moving into the purpose built units at the new building.

“MetLase is an entrepreneurial business that provides bespoke engineering solutions to complex problems where precision and speed of deployment are critical. The site offers us the flexibility in which to grow in line with the demands of the market.”