Armstrong Pumps buys new HQ premises

Armstrong Fluid Technology, a Manchester-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems producer, has acquired a warehouse and office facility for an undisclosed sum.

The business is moving from its current head office in Wenlock Way, West Gorton to the 74,622 sq ft Kay Point building in Ashton Old Road, Beswick, Manchester.

The sale of the premises was achieved by Andy Backhouse, associate director, industrial and logistics at Colliers International acting on behalf of landlord IOS.

Gary Chapman, associate partner at WHR Property Consultants, acted on behalf of Armstrong Fluid Technology.

Kay Point is a single-storey production and warehouse facility with 55,941 sq ft of industrial space and two stories of offices covering 18,681 sq ft with 115 parking spaces.

Canadian-owned Armstrong has been based at Wenlock Way for more than 50 years and employs 120 staff at its Manchester head office. It has other UK offices in Birmingham and London and in locations worldwide including manufacturing facilities in Canada, the USA, China and India and sales offices in Dubai, France and Brazil.

Selling agent Andy Backhouse of Colliers said: "We achieved a substantial amount of interest in Kay Point because it's a quality building in a prominent location on Ashton Old Road. Its sale reflects improving conditions in the market for modern facilities of this type and we're genuinely pleased that it has been acquired by such a prestigious Manchester-based business."

Gary Chapman of WHR, acquiring, commented: "This was a very specific requirement from our client in terms of location and power (2000kva). Working closely with Armstrong as their requirements evolved, we undertook a very thorough search of the market before identifying this building as a suitable option. Buildings which met the criteria were few and far between and the move will also safeguard more than 100 highly skilled jobs for the local area."