Global technology company Hitachi Energy is looking to procure land at a Stafford industrial estate to create a new facility representing a £20 million investment.
The business, which has had a base in Stone for over 25 years and is going through a “super growth period”, wants to demonstrate its commitment to the area by developing a highly energy efficient two-building campus at Beacon Park Industrial Estate.
A planning application has been lodged for a service building with office facilities for around 40 people and a workshop for approximately 20 engineers.
A two-storey second building will house circa 80 to 90 staff and will mainly support the firm’s Grid Automation business unit. If approved, it will feature a training centre, customer test facility and office space.
According to documents submitted with the plans, the new builds would be designed to “deliver the highest of modern working conditions” and the company has said that protecting the retention of its “150 highly skilled workforce in this location is key”.
Hitachi Energy, created in 2020, builds sustainable energy solutions and employs more than 40,000 people in 90 countries.
An economic statement on behalf of Hitachi Energy UK submitted with the plans states: “The business is currently going through a super growth period aligned to the growing sustainably energy market, and the move to the Beacon Park development will provide a significant foundation to this growth.”
It adds: “The new facilities will also allow us to further increase our Facility Management requirement scope by 30%, providing retention of current jobs and job creation for local workers in a non-skilled role.”
Hitachi Energy’s current “aging” Staffordshire base on Oulton Road is currently up for sale as it “no longer aligns with the purpose of the business”.
The head office element of the Stone facility relocated to Birmingham in March this year.
The economic statement reads: “Hitachi Energy’s preference is to keep the remaining business operations and employment within the Staffordshire district.
“The development will deliver significant benefits to both the local and national economies, by supporting an international business which is locally based and which is at the heart of the economic recovery leading the drive to Net Zero 2050 through a sustainable energy infrastructure.”
It adds: “The facility will provide the foundation for retaining our existing staff and supporting the attraction of new talent needed to support a growing business, whilst supporting our customers who are gearing up to deliver the energy transition.”
The plans to create the light industrial and warehouse/distribution units relate to Plot 17 of the business park, which was once used for car storage.
If planning permission is granted by Stafford Borough Council, the facility will work to support the company’s drive to net zero by with the installation of solar panels, battery energy storage solutions, multiple electric vehicle charging points and bicycle storage racks.
A target has been set for it to achieve an excellent BREEAM rating, with Very Good as minimum.
