Tech firms look to future in boost for Project Violet
THE arrival of two international firms at Sci-Tech Daresbury’s £17.8m Project Violet has been hailed as a coup for the development.
Australian video technology specialists Blackmagic Design and Chinese robotics firm Geek+ were reported to have picked the location for their respective UK headquarters after being attracted to the “unique environment for innovation and business growth”.
For Blackmagic Design, its 19,000 sq ft space in the V1 building will also form its base of operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Stuart Ashton, Blackmagic Design director, said: “We are delighted to be joining Sci-Tech Daresbury.
“It’s a vibrant community with outstanding facilities that will bring a lot of energy to our business. The North West is a thriving hub for innovation with access to many leading technical colleges and universities that will be important to our future growth and success.” Geek+ is a Beijing-headquartered global technology company that specialises in “smart logistics”.
The company will employ at least 30 staff at its UK headquarters on campus.
Sci-Tech Daresbury’s spokesman said the move to set up a UK base was driven by the growing number of businesses that are turning to automation and robots to boost their competitiveness.
Geek+ will occupy 4,300 sq ft of office space across two floors, in addition to a 2,050 sq ft experience centre for showcasing the company’s technologies.
The company already has a connection to SciTech Daresbury, with UK and Ireland partner Breathe Technologies using Techspace Two as a base to deliver warehouse automation systems, software and services to customers such as GXO, Pets At Home and QVC.
Simon Houghton, Geek+’s head of sales for UK and Ireland, said: “We are really impressed by what Sci-Tech Daresbury and Violet have to offer.
“From the high-quality offices, lab space and workshops to the R&D, leisure and catering facilities - everything is all in one location, and it provides the perfect base from which to grow our business in the UK.
“We are looking for local talent to join the Geek+ team and help develop our brand in the UK, enabling us to provide the best services to our end customers.
“With our brilliant new base at Sci-Tech Daresbury, we believe we can nurture a powerful team and support our expansion.”