Construction is underway at Inverness Airport Business Park (IAPB) on a new distribution and training hub for global wind energy company, ENERCON, being developed by ARK Estates.

ARK Estates Managing Director, William Gray was on-site with IABP Chairman, James Campbell, and Brian Innes and Keith Duncan from lead contractor, IBI Joiners, to witness the early stages of construction for the new industrial unit at IAPB.

The 10,000 sq.ft unit, which is being built with the support of a grant from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), will comprise a 6,320sq.ft warehouse and 4,080sq.ft office split over two floors and will serve as ENERCON's flagship Scottish Distribution and Training Centre.

The German renewables energy giant will employ 20 permanent staff at its IABP Scottish Distribution and Training Hub with further recruitment and expansion anticipated. The site will also become ENERCON's main UK Training Centre. Over 200 technicians are expected to receive training at the company's new UK base in the first year alone.

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Speaking at the site, William Gray of ARK Estates said: "We are delighted to begin construction on ENERCON's new Scottish flagship site. As with many of our other pre-let industrial builds, this one will be tailored to meet the client's needs, providing them with a turn-key solution that we can hand over to them upon completion.

"It's fantastic to see such a major international company choosing to locate to Inverness Airport Business Park. With high levels of interest in the development - and with the A96 scheduled for dualling and a new airport rail link set to be built in the near future - ARK Estates is addressing demand by also releasing to market a 5,000sq.ft unit at the business park with further units to follow in due course."

Ark Estates have also recently commenced the development of a new 5,000sqft unit at IABP. The industrial unit, which will be completed in Q4 2019, sits on a 0.5 acre plot and is suitable for class 4,5 and 6 use. Interested parties are invited to contact John MacBean at Graham + Sibbald for more information.

Kenny McKenzie for G+S said: "A planned development offering new, high quality buildings in a strategic location fills a void in the Highlands for new flexible commercial accommodation. There is a lack of this type and style of accommodation within Inverness and the surrounding area with the new unit at IABP capable of accommodating a variety of potential occupiers."

(MH/JG)