More and bigger...

Two established Hillington Park companies have relocated into larger premises, defying the doom and gloom of the recent and possibly continuing economic recession.

High-tech truck- and trailer-side advertising specialists Agripa Solutions have relocated across the road into bigger premises at 43 Colquhoun Avenue, which had just been extensively refurbished. And Insutech Scotland Ltd, a leading fabricator and installer of curtain walling and commercial windows, have moved into larger premises at 10 Watt Road.

Another company moving within the estate is Armstrong Commercial Laundry, which has relocated from Earl Haig Road into more modern premises at Unit 5 of the Kelvin Gate development off Kelvin Avenue.

Kelvin Gate has also attracted another new arrival to Hillington Park, namely Pilot Gas Services, who have taken up residence in Unit 10.

Of the new arrivals, Wates Living Space, one of the UK’s leading affordable housing construction services, have moved their Scottish office to 26 Kelvin Ave, sharing the accommodation with window specialists Superseal.

Elsewhere to the west of Hillington Road, kitchen unit refurbishment company Reface Scotland Ltd has taken up space at 32 Napier Road, while Crocatile have added 33 Watt Road to their accommodation.

In the eastern part of Hillington Park, Barr Vehicle Services have arrived at 35 Hepburn Road, while Elite Coffee Distributors are now settled nearby at 41 Hepburn Road.

Recent lease renewals have been agreed with computer-based steel and stone engravers Jetcut at 37 Hepburn Road, and Power Technology Solutions can be found at 22 Earl Haig Road.

New office customers now resident at the estate include facility managers FES Ltd, in Suite 6 at The Arc, and Retail Sales Solutions, who have taken on an additional office in Suite 6 at the Merlin Business Centre.

BBES staff raise £12,500 for Yorkhill

Employees from Balfour Beatty Engineering Services one of the UK’s largest mechanical and electrical building services businesses, took part in the ‘Cumbrae Challenge’ earlier this year and raised an impressive £12,554 for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.

Over 80 ‘athletes’, including family members, took part in the challenge, which comprised an 11-mile walk, run, cycle or other ‘self-propelled’ transport round the island of Cumbrae, which is situated in the Firth of Clyde.

Bob James, business development manager, who cycled round the course, said: “A fabulous day was had by all; everyone got into the team spirit and helped each other along, and the sun shone all day long.”

A few weeks later, John Moore, managing director for Hillington Park-based BBES (left) and Simon Lafferty, managing director of the projects division, presented the cheque to Abigail Stein, corporate and events fund-raiser for Yorkhill.

Abigail said: “We are delighted that the team from BBES chose to support the Children’s Foundation and raised this fantastic amount of money. The Foundation provides enhanced medical equipment and resources which benefit sick children and babies who are treated at Yorkhill Hospital and within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

“These can include innovative medical equipment, improvements in child and family facilities, and paediatric research and training. In recent times, scanners, incubators, ventilators, monitors and many more examples of equipment, services and research have been added to the hospital’s resources.

“All are at work helping to make sick kids better, and the money raised by the BBES team will help us to continue our work supporting sick children and their families.”

More and bigger...

Two established Hillington Park companies have relocated into larger premises, defying the doom and gloom of the recent and possibly continuing economic recession.

High-tech truck- and trailer-side advertising specialists Agripa Solutions have relocated across the road into bigger premises at 43 Colquhoun Avenue, which had just been extensively refurbished. And Insutech Scotland Ltd, a leading fabricator and installer of curtain walling and commercial windows, have moved into larger premises at 10 Watt Road.

Another company moving within the estate is Armstrong Commercial Laundry, which has relocated from Earl Haig Road into more modern premises at Unit 5 of the Kelvin Gate development off Kelvin Avenue.

Kelvin Gate has also attracted another new arrival to Hillington Park, namely Pilot Gas Services, who have taken up residence in Unit 10.

Of the new arrivals, Wates Living Space, one of the UK’s leading affordable housing construction services, have moved their Scottish office to 26 Kelvin Ave, sharing the accommodation with window specialists Superseal.

Elsewhere to the west of Hillington Road, kitchen unit refurbishment company Reface Scotland Ltd has taken up space at 32 Napier Road, while Crocatile have added 33 Watt Road to their accommodation.

In the eastern part of Hillington Park, Barr Vehicle Services have arrived at 35 Hepburn Road, while Elite Coffee Distributors are now settled nearby at 41 Hepburn Road.

Recent lease renewals have been agreed with computer-based steel and stone engravers Jetcut at 37 Hepburn Road, and Power Technology Solutions can be found at 22 Earl Haig Road.

New office customers now resident at the estate include facility managers FES Ltd, in Suite 6 at The Arc, and Retail Sales Solutions, who have taken on an additional office in Suite 6 at the Merlin Business Centre.

Serviced Office Space in Glasgow

The award winning Hillington Park Innovation Centre, Glasgow offers a premier incubation facility for the next generation of innovative, high growth potential, early stage technology companies in Scotland. An ideal location with serviced office space.

Caledonian Land - 20 years on

The twentieth anniversary of the privatisation of the Hillington Industrial Estate on the edge of Glasgow was marked in early August by a gathering of professionals who have been involved in its transformation into 'Hillington Park' over the intervening years.

The Estate was the first government-backed initiative of its kind when it was originally set up by Act of Parliament in 1938. Very quickly, the location was pressed into war service, housing a massive aircraft factory beyond the range of German bombers. In the 70’s and 80’s the estate suffered from a lack of investment and renewal.

Eventually, after coming under the ownership of the Scottish Development Agency, the decision was taken in 1990 to sell the increasingly dilapidated Hillington to the private sector as the 'jewel in the crown' of a portfolio of Scottish industrial estates and Caledonian Land was established. MEPC then acquired Caledonian land in 1996 and Hillington Park remains a core component of its UK portfolio.

Our picture shows three of the key figures in the development of the Hillington estate in the past two decades:

Grant Edmondson (left), managing director of MEPC Hillington Park, the current majority landowners and developers at the estate.

Doug Smith (centre), Chairman CB Richard Ellis Scotland, who led the team of professional advisers to the SDA for the original privatisation initiative, with CB Richard Ellis continuing its role as advisers to MEPC Hillington Park.

Keith Pringle (right), former managing director of Caledonian Land, the company set up after winning the bid contest back in 1990.

These three, and over 70 other past and present employees, agents and consultants who have influenced the development and modernisation of Hillington into Scotland's premier business location, gathered in CB Richard Ellis’ Glasgow offices to celebrate the continued success of the venture.

MEPC iPhone App Now Available

MEPC are delighted to launch their first ever iPhone App today giving customers immediate access to current availability across the eight MEPC Business Estates.

The App can be downloaded from the App store.

New Office Lettings in Glasgow

New businesses continue to arrive at Hillington Park, demonstrating confidence in the location – more than a dozen lettings since February.

Water hygiene specialists Mulvey Environmental have taken one of the units in the Kelvin Gate development. Another of the units is now occupied by freight forwarders Yusen Air & Sea Services Ltd. And the popularity of this development of starter units is also endorsed by Clyde Signs & Graphics, who have moved into Unit 8.

MEPC's other major development of recent times, the Arc off Colquhoun Avenue, has attracted staff recruitment experts NES UK Ltd.

Elsewhere, Park Wholesale Beds have moved into 38 Kelvin Avenue; JL Motor Engineers, who specialise in the restoration of old cars, can be found at 27 Montrose Avenue; and Chauffeurline, who organise airport transfers, are now based at 39 Hepburn Road.

BMI Healthcare have taken a significant space in suite 2 at Cameron Court in Cameron Street, where they are opening an extension to their busy call centre operations.

And a clutch of organisations have moved into the Merlin Business Centre, including Bluestar and CCS Media, moving internally, while Annodata and the Automobile Association moved into the newly-refurbished first-floor office suites.

Lease renewals, too, are keeping up, with Caledonian Industries, Indigo Lighthouse, CK Heating, UPVC Doors, Provan Sports, Hi-Wire, the Met Office and C & D Industrial all staying put.

MEPC asset manager Andrew Kerr says: “It’s business as usual for us at Hillington Park, because we have such a wide variety of buildings to suit anyone's requirements.”