COMMERCIAL property developer Stoford has been appointed to deliver the new Andover premises of international stairlift company and lift services' manufacturer, Stannah.

Stoford will develop a new 90,000 sq ft factory at Andover Business Park, which will streamline Stannah’s production process and bring some of its supply chain in-house.

The building will benefit from strong sustainability measures, including more than 23,500 sq ft of solar panels that will save a projected 203 tons of CO2 emissions a year compared to using electricity from the grid.

It will also include integral first floor office space, ground floor storage space, a haunch height of 12 metres, dock and level access doors, and in the region of 175 car parking spaces.

Stannah plans to vacate Anton Mill, where it manufactures its range of platform lifts, and bring production of stairlift and lift manufacturing under one roof. Fabrication for both product lines will take place at Watt Close while all assembly will transfer to the new site.

READ MORE: Lift manufacturer Stannah has Andover factory plan approved

Stoford’s director, Edward Peel, said that work is expected to begin on site in August 2022 with the building programmed for completion in spring next year. Benniman has been appointed as contractor.

He said: “We’re very pleased to have been chosen by Stannah to develop its new factory in Andover. The development will be sited in a prominent position at the front of Andover Business Park and promises to deliver substantial operating efficiencies and environmental benefits. Stannah’s investment in the new building demonstrates its commitment both to the local area and to UK manufacturing.”

Stannah Group’s managing director, Jon Stannah, added: “The new factory in Andover forms part of our wider growth strategy to increase our manufacturing capacity, reduce customer lead times and improve supply chain resilience.”

The plans for the new premises were initially submitted in February 2020, with hopes to begin building by the summer of that year. However, after delays due to the pandemic, permission was only granted for planning on December 10, 2020.

A completion date was originally given as mid-2021, but due to the delays in seeking approval, this later had to be amended.

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