Newcastle's Silverstone to project manage SNOP development at Sunderland manufacturing park

Silverstone Building Consultancy has been appointed as project manager to deliver SNOP UK’s new automotive facility at Sunderland’s IAMP (International Advanced Manufacturing Park).

The Newcastle-headquartered specialist firm of building surveyors and project managers won the contract following a tender process.

SNOP, a car parts manufacturer with over 30 manufacturing plants throughout the world, will relocate from its current base in Washington to the new purpose-built facility to enable production expansion.

Richard Farrey, director at Silverstone Building Consultancy said: “As a regionally-based independent practice we are very pleased to have secured this appointment, especially as we were competing with national & international practices.

“The scheme has been designed, tendered and a contractor appointed within a short 6-month time frame and the project is going to be completed by next June.

“Due to our previous experience of developing bespoke buildings for the automotive sector we are able to provide a swift turnaround on delivering such projects.”

The Nissan supplier will be the first occupier at IAMP once the building is complete in June 2019. The development will provide a bespoke 194,000 sq ft car parts manufacturing facility on a 16-acre site.

Silverstone previously project managed the construction of two new bespoke manufacturing facilities totalling over £13m for car parts specialist Gestamp Automotive in Newton Aycliffe.

Planning permission for the first phase of IAMP was granted last month by Sunderland City Council. IAMP ONE extends to 150 acres and will provide 1.6 million sq ft of advanced manufacturing and industrial space including the SNOP unit.

The second phase will provide an additional three million sq ft.

David Brander, plant director at SNOP, added: “We chose Silverstone due to their considerable experience within the sector.

“The firm has the specialist knowledge and expertise to understand our manufacturing processes and deliver a building which is tailored to our specific needs.”

The full design team has been appointed and comprises all local firms including architect, Ian Belsham Associates, mechanical & electrical engineers, Sine Consulting and structural and civil engineers, 3E.