Member Article

Workshops at flagship iHub innovation centre achieve full occupancy

The £12m iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park in Derby has scored another success after its state-of-the-art hybrid workshop achieved 100% occupancy. All workshop offices are now full at the iHub, which has attracted some of the biggest names in the region’s automotive, rail and aerospace industries since it was launched almost three years ago Occupancy levels have exceeded all expectations, with regional, national and global businesses keen to take advantage of the extensive facilities at the iHub, along with its strategic location on Infinity Park, the 100-acre manufacturing focused commercial and technology site between Sinfin and Chellaston, to the south of the city.

As well as 18 traditional office workspaces, the iHub features 14 ground floor workshops for businesses seeking a hybrid working environment. These specialist workshop spaces cater for a broad range of uses in a managed workspace environment and feature high ceilings, access roller doors large enough for lorries, enhanced power supply points and strengthened joists for hoisting equipment.

One of the unique facilities available at the iHub is the innovative ‘iLab’, a leading-edge development facility, which promotes invention by enabling the rapid prototyping of a range of products and services. It also boasts high end virtual reality, 3D printing and surface microscope equipment.

The iHub also offers a multi-purpose ‘heart space’ area, which is establishing itself as a popular venue for conferences and events, along with meeting and seminar rooms.

Notable tenants include global aerospace giant Airbus; Altran, a world leader in engineering and R&D services; Composite Braiding, specialists in thermoplastic composite braiding, VRCO, an advanced aviation company, which is developing the world’s first British-made flying cars and Pattonair, which provides distribution and supply chain management services to the aerospace and defence sectors.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centres (AMRC), one of the world’s leading manufacturing research institutions, has also established a base at the iHub while its new multi-million pound innovation facility is being developed on Infinity Park.

Commenting on the success of the iHub workshops, Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for planning, environment and regeneration, said:

“The iHub is really flying the flag for Derby on the national stage and is continuing to attract some of the most exciting and innovative companies operating within the rail, aerospace and automotive supply chain, who are utilising the building’s high-tech facilities and producing some fantastic work.

“The workshops provide a very specialist service and to reach maximum occupancy reflects the reputation that the iHub has gained amongst the region’s automotive, rail and aerospace supply chain industries.”

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, added:

“We’re absolutely delighted with the positive reaction that the iHub has received from across the aerospace, automotive and transport industries.

“We were always confident that that there would be strong demand for the quality of office and workshop accommodation available at the iHub and to see the workshops reach maximum occupancy reflects the iHub’s growing reputation as a regional centre of technological excellence. “

The iHub builds on the success of the hugely popular Connect Derby scheme, which has created a strong market for mixed use and sector specific serviced offices across the city at its six other buildings – Friar Gate Studios, Marble Hall, Riverside Chambers, Sadler Bridge Studios, Kings Chambers and Shot Tower.

The iHub has received funding from the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as Derby City Council and the University of Derby.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .