A global technology and services company which set up a base in the north-east earlier this year has become the latest firm to snap up a spot at the former Inverurie Paper Mill site.
Subsea specialist Advantec Aberdeen has opened a new office and workshop facility in the town’s newest commercial park, run by Aberdeenshire-based Kirkwood Group. Since the developer took control of the former paper mill earlier this year, it has been fielding calls from tenants interested in moving to the site, by the side of the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road.
Norwegian-based Advantec, which expanded earlier this year to include an Aberdeen office, was among the firms tempted to the site because of its size and good transport links. The firm has signed a five-year lease for a 13,000sq ft warehouse and yard, with a further 7,000sq ft office, and could extend the agreement in the future. Steve King, managing director of the Aberdeen branch, said the former paper mill site would allow the firm to expand and test out new equipment.
He said: “We looked at many options when identifying a site but none had the size, range of buildings and locations to meet our present and future growth plans.”
Allan Rae, land director for Kirkwood, said: “We are delighted to welcome Advantec to not only Kirkwood Commercial park but also the north-east and we look forward to working closely with them as they expand their business. This is our second tenant to sign up to our commercial park and we are currently handling several live inquiries.”
The commercial park could create more than 400 jobs, with the potential development and investment value worth more than £70million. The first phase of the project will involve leasing existing mill buildings and offices, while the second phase will be aimed at developing land to the north of the site.