October 22, 2001
Saint-Gobain, Europe’s largest builders’ merchant, has chosen Slough Estates' Kings Norton Business Centre in South Birmingham for the launch of Platform, its new concept for building materials distribution centres. Platform (the UK brand name) is targeted exclusively at trade customers on the basis of ‘cash and carry’.
The design of this 6,887 sq m Platform store, which incorporates a large light building area with an adjoining warehouse for heavy building supplies, is based on a concept, which Saint-Gobain has developed successfully in France over the past five years.
This will be the first of a number of new facilities to be opened by Platform across the country.
Derek Wilson, Chief Executive at Slough Estates commented:
“Our on-going regeneration of Kings Norton Business Centre has attracted a wide-range of business uses to the area and this new concept will further diversify our customer base. We will be commencing construction immediately with a view to Platform opening the facility in June 2002.”
Phil Smith, Platform Managing Director, said:
“We are very pleased to be working alongside Slough Estates, who have been very supportive from the beginning. It is thanks to this concerted effort, from planning through to construction, that the project will become a reality in such a short space of time.”
“Birmingham was always key to our strategy. We wanted to open here, in part because the local economy is so buoyant, and also because there is a large community of skilled personnel, who will be essential to help run the store when it opens next year.”
DTZ Debenham Tie Leung and Chesterton acted on behalf of Slough Estates and North Rae Sanders acted for Saint Gobain.