Chineham Park's new owners set to build on success

The sale of Chineham Park to the joint venture between Oaktree Capital Management and Patrizia ag has been completed today as part of a £430m deal to purchase three mixed use parks from Hermes Real Estate.

Rupert Batho, managing director of Chineham Park, explains: "Chineham Park is one of the region's success stories, with a strong track record for attracting and retaining businesses. The purchase by Oaktree and Patrizia is an exciting step in the next phase of the Park's evolution and with the existing management team transferring to the new ownership, we have the best team in place to build on the Park's pedigree."

Chineham Park joins Winnersh Triangle, Reading and Watchmoor Park, Camberley in Patrizia's and Oaktree Capital Management's joint venture portfolio which also owns a range of commercial property including offices and large mixed-use business parks.  For over 30 years, Patrizia has been actively involved in 10 countries and has a team of 700 dedicated staff in the fields of residential real estate and commercial property. This joint venture is now one of the largest owners of business parks in the UK.

Rupert adds: "In addition to the new ownership accelerating our refurbishment and development plans at Chineham Park, I can guarantee that, for our customers, it will be very much business as usual. Our hands-on style of management allows quick and flexible decision making, contributing to our enviable retention rates and enduring appeal for smart business."

A fantastic China fair for Tridonic

From June 9th to 12th, Tridonic, based at Unit 7 Lindenwood was well represented at the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition with a prestigious booth. The Tridonic team in China organised a successful time at this important lighting fair for the Asian market.

At its 173 square metre booth, Tridonic presented product solutions arranged by application segment, in much the same way as at the Light+Building fair. For the Retail and Hospitality segment the focus was on system solutions for the fashion sector, jewellery and supermarkets.
The big attraction was a fashion show held twice a day at the Tridonic booth in cooperation with the COCOON fashion label. This gave visitors a direct insight into the effect of innovative LED light.
For more information about Tridonic visit: www.tridonic.com

KONE to improve London Bridge

KONE, based at Unit 5 Beechwood, has been chosen to supply and install 24 escalators for the redevelopment of London Bridge railway station. London Bridge is the fourth busiest railway station in Great Britain, bringing in around 50 million passengers in to the city each year. KONE was selected as the supplier for the station on the back of its overall design solution which primarily focuses on smooth People Flow® and its demonstration of eco-efficiency.

The plans for modernising London Bridge station were unveiled in 2011 and KONE has been involved in the project from the start. The overall goal of the rail project is to cater for more people and to increase rail links. KONE's 24 new TransitMaster® 140 escalators will help ensure that all areas of the station can be quickly accessed and keep passengers moving in the station area throughout the day.
KONE Great Britain Managing Director Michael Williams said: "our involvement in improving people flow in public transportation is a significant part of KONE's offering. We're immensely proud to be working on such a significant public project. Our team understands the importance of effective people flow in such a busy environment and has worked hard to ensure our solutions satisfy the demands of the overall rail network."
The overall project is part of a wider scheme funded by the ThamesLink program to upgrade the rail network in Great Britain. As well as increasing the number of platforms at London Bridge and providing lifts and escalators for step-free access, there will also be improved links between the Tube and bus network. The upgrades to London Bridge are expected to be completed in 2018.
For more information visit: http://www.kone.co.uk/

Chineham continues to lead the way

In the first five months of 2014, Chineham Park has confirmed five new contracts and lease extensions.

Rupert Batho, Managing Director of Chineham Park, explains, "2014 has had a strong start for Chineham Park with existing customers re-affirming their commitment by extending their leases and new customers joining our thriving business community. The level of interest in the Park has been growing steadily since the end of last year and our reputation as Hampshire's premier business destination for smart business is continuing to attract companies."

Sensus, a global clean technology solutions company offering smart meters, communication systems, software and services for the electric, gas, and water industries, has acquired 7,100 sq ft at Unit 3 Lindenwood whilst Arjo Wiggins has committed for a further five years at Unit 4 Lindenwood. Gist has also extended their 28,000 sq ft lease in Rosewood until 2019. 

Rupert adds: "These deals are evidence of increasing corporate confidence and Chineham Park continues to demonstrate that Basingstoke is an excellent location for successful, growing businesses." 

Imtech wins contract in Norwich

Imtech Traffic & Infra, based at Lime Tree Way, has recently announced the opening of its Norwich service centre, following its success in winning the Norfolk County Council traffic signal services contract.

The team based at this location will operate this key contract supported by the wider Urban group located across the UK.
The local Imtech employees were joined by members of the broader UK team as they met with the client to celebrate the formal launch of this new contract earlier this month. The investment in this new service centre, which has been fitted out to specifically support this contract, demonstrates Imtech’s commitment to the local area.
The centre is located opposite a new technology college which is due to open soon and therefore Imtech is looking forward to forging future academia links and offering local apprenticeships.
The contract was awarded in January 2014 and runs from April for an initial seven years and, subject to performance targets being achieved, could be extended annually for up to 12 years. The core contract covers the maintenance of the county’s traffic signal infrastructure and supply of traffic signals as part of highways improvement projects working alongside Tarmac Lafarge and Mouchel. However, Imtech will also be providing revenue saving telecommunications services through their Infra Comms team.
Daniel Ruiz, Imtech Traffic & Infra UK Managing Director, said: “The feelings of excitement and anticipation on the day we opened our new service centre in Norwich were fantastic. We welcomed a number of new team members into the Imtech community along with a particularly open, collaborative and innovative client. Together, we have taken another step forward in growing our core market and reinforcing our position as our client’s first choice provider of technology solutions, operations and maintenance.”
For more information visit: http://www.imtech.uk.com/

KONE secures extended contract at Heathrow

Chineham Park occupier, KONE has successfully secured a five-year contract extension to maintain equipment for people and goods movement at all Heathrow Airport Limited terminals, including the new Terminal 2 building. KONE's around the clock service will aid the smooth and efficient flow of an estimated 72 million passengers per year in the terminals.

Heathrow Airport Limited has recognised KONE as being the service provider of choice and commissioned it to maintain over 1,000 lift, escalator and autowalk units across all of its terminals. The new maintenance contract which also covers the new Terminal 2 - Queen's Terminal will continue through 2019.
KONE was selected as the service provider of choice for Heathrow Airport Limited due to it consistently delivering an excellent people flow experience for passengers and service quality management. KONE's performance is published on a monthly basis across the airport and currently has a 99.7% equipment availability rate.
"I am proud that our long-term partnership with Heathrow Airport continues. It is a magnificent achievement to be awarded the contract to maintain all the equipment," said Michael Williams, Managing Director for KONE in Great Britain. "Heathrow is internationally renowned for being one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world. To be assigned the service provider of choice and to help passengers move around efficiently and comfortably is a huge credit to our team."
Over the years, KONE has modernised and supplied new lifts, escalators and autowalks to Heathrow Airport. KONE has been providing maintenance services to Heathrow Airport since 1990. Upon completion of the new contract KONE will have been providing maintenance for 29 years.
For more information visit: www.kone.co.uk

Yorktel employee writes blog for ‘Smart Business’

Vishal Brown, Vice President of professional services for Yorktel, who have international offices based at 3, Hazlewood has written a blog for ‘smartbusinessblog’ regarding how video has become an essential business tool.

The blog explains that a recent survey by Polycom has shown that decision-makers worldwide view video conferencing as the essential team collaboration tool. Of more than 1,200 decision-makers surveyed in 12 countries, 96 percent agreed that video conferencing removes distance barriers to improve productivity among geographically scattered teams.

The blog post says that ‘most companies have frequent opportunities to experience the benefits of video, with 56 percent of the respondents participating in video calls at least once a week. More than half (52 percent) of those surveyed expect video to become their top communication preference within three years.'

Vishal reveals in the blog that Even President Obama advocates video conferencing!