Cambridgeshire commercial builders CD Hood Ltd are delighted to see that some believe Cambridge and the East of England manufacturing businesses are set to lead a major UK growth spurt. The latest  from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) shows a u-turn in sentiment with the majority of manufacturing SMEs in the region predicting an increase in sales over the next six months. They also reveal that 90 per cent of East of England companies plan to maintain or increase their workforce, 56 per cent of companies expect to grow between now and March 2013, with 39 per cent set to boost investment in plant and machinery.

Area director for MAS, Martin Coats said: “It’s reassuring to see more of our SMEs are expecting to increase their sales going forward and this despite a slight fall over the last six months.

“Manufacturers have been reporting fluctuating demand and softening in certain sectors so to see the renewed optimism suggests many believe these markets are coming back on stream.
“90% of East of England companies told us that they intend to maintain or increase their workforce, which shows a general stability in these figures.”

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “It's encouraging to hear of the optimism amongst manufacturing SMEs in this barometer. These are still challenging times but the recent GDP output is the latest sign yet that the wider economy is starting to recover. We will continue to support manufacturers through MAS to ensure they are best placed to take advantage of opportunities to grow.”

Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX), has massively expanded its European headquarters in Cambridge. The company had been working from three separate offices on different floors at Cambridge Business Park just across the road, they have now taken 5,240 sq ft of offices in Unit 326 at the Science Park, bringing the team of 43 all together in one space.

Jason Hale, managing director of GHX UK Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to be moving to the Science Park. The new office space allows us to bring our full UK team back together again and ensures we can expand according to our plans.” GHX continued its global expansion in April with another healthcare acquisition in Europe. The fast-growing UK business snapped up TriSolve Ltd in Bradford.

The acquisition added to the company’s purchase of France-based Beep-N-Track solution for the upcoming GHX implantable device supply chain solution.

One of the boosts for the company this summer was that GHX ensured swift delivery of medical supplies for athletes, media and spectators athletes competing in the London Olympic Games and the Paralympics that followed. The London organising committee of the Olympics and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) used GHX WebConnect to shop and place its healthcare supplies throughout the seven week sporting jamboree.

Cambridgeshire commercial builders CD Hood Ltd know that Cambridgeshire is a hub for meditech companies and other technical specialists and are always impressed with the continued expansion and we are always happy to offer a quote for development or management of property in these areas.

As experienced commercial building specialist CD Hood Ltd are always interested to look at any new innovations that  will save their customers money in the long or the short tem. Insulation materials provider Saint-Gobain Isover has, in partnership with the Aircrete Products Association (APA), added a further masonry separating wall system to its Robust Details portfolio.
Robust Details E-WM-24 incorporates Isover RD Party Wall Roll, aircrete blocks manufactured by APA members and a standard 8kg/m³ plasterboard. It offers house builders the option to build a high performing separating masonry wall using aircrete blocks without the need for a wet parge coat, achieving three credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes.

“The detail, developed with the APA, exceeds regulation compliant thermal and acoustic performance for the separating wall element”, Isover said. “It also offers enhanced thermal detailing in terms of PSI value performance at the separating and external wall junction, which can improve SAP scores.” Isover described it as “a good example of how collaboration between companies within the construction sector can result in beneficial solutions for the market”.

Users of the newly approved solution will be able to meet the full-fill requirement to help deliver a zero U-value party wall with no wet parge coat prior to drylining.  If the detail is used under the Robust Details scheme it will also automatically comply with acoustic requirements of Part E of Building Regulations without the need for pre-completion testing (PCT). CD Hood Ltd like to keep abreast of new developments.

The office and laboratory market in Cambridge has enjoyed a total take up of 579,000 sq ft over the last 12 months, according to Bidwells. It was one of the major highlights of the firm’s new Business Space Data Book, which covers all aspects of the office, laboratory and industrial markets in the Eastern Region.

Over the year commercial Building specialists CD Hood Ltd are pleased to see take up for industrial space in Milton Keynes and Northampton was 972,000 sq ft and 694,000 sq ft, respectively, with the East region industrial market recording its best take up levels for two years at 624,000 sq ft for the first half of 2012, according to the Bidwell report.
The region’s business space segments have also enjoyed an active letting market over the last 12 months. The overview section of the report shows that the office market is now in balance across the region as a whole when considering effective supply. However, this probably masks the significant stock shortages that exist in both Cambridge and Milton Keynes whilst over supply is still an issue in other locations.

The industrial market has been under-supplied for some time, but again Milton Keynes and Cambridge are showing signs of restricted supply compared to demand. “In a stronger economy, speculative development would naturally follow but with developers remaining cautious, constrained supply and continued take up could be the trigger for rental growth in some locations,” said Christopher Reeve of Bidwells. CD Hood Ltd are happy to quote for  any commercial building projects.

CD Hood Ltd provide service contacts for various high tech companies in and around Cambridge one being  a top end printing business.  Understanding the requirements of high tech business is clearly something that helps. Placing your business in the right property is key to success so it is good to see global inkjet technology pioneer Xaar has taken a lease on building 332 at Cambridge Science Park in a deal struck by Bidwells on behalf of Trinity College.

Xaar has had significant success and the London Stock Exchange listed it as a world–leading independent supplier of industrial inkjet printheads. The 9,600 sq ft of predominantly open plan modern office further offers an analytical laboratory, which will give more space to the expanding business. “It is great to see Xaar expanding its business in Cambridge,” said the agents representative Lucy Farrant. “By taking the additional suite in Building 322 the company is really establishing itself as a prominent and successful tenant on Cambridge Science Park.”

Bidwells have also recently on behalf of its client JP Morgan and Asset Manager XLB property, had Victory House at Vision Park, Cambridge on the market. The office has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to Grade A standard, creating a high quality modern office specification, several floors have become available for businesses space. If you are looking to have your work or office space developed or maintained experienced commercial builders CD Hood Ltd are happy to talk you through your options.