A 50,000 sq ft industrial unit is to be created in Bridgend, South Wales by thriving aviation consultancy Willis Asset Management.

The company acquired the 123,000 sq ft Aviation House on the Waterton Industrial Estate last year as its UK headquarters. Now it is making further significant investment to refurbish its own office accommodation, maintenance workshop facility and create a new dedicated client suite.

The work will also include dividing the giant premises to create a self-contained semi-detached 50,000 sq ft industrial unit or warehouse with offices, and a large yard, which will be available to let by the end of the year.

Karl Gibson, Vice President at Willis Asset management, said:

“This investment into the upgrade works at the facility provides the business with the platform that will support our growth and expansion plans as a global aviation business.

“In addition, the works to create a separate unit will begin shortly and will be completed before Christmas providing the ideal opportunity for a new tenant to take early advantage of the excellent facilities to be offered.”

Property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed to project manage the works and also market the new premises.  Rob Smith of Knight Frank in Cardiff said:

“We are overseeing the separation of the plant into two self-contained units, carrying our external repairs and refurbishment, and refurbishing the Willis office space and creating a new high-specification client facility.”

Neil Francis, head of Knight Frank’s Industrial & Logistics division in Cardiff, said:

“The modern unit will have eave heights of over 8.5m and there are few properties in this part of South Wales that measure up to its size and specification.

“With its excellent links to the M4 motorway we expect to receive keen interest in the unit, and we invite potential tenants to come along before work starts and see what can be offered.”

Willis Asset Management is a 100% owned subsidiary of US based Willis Lease Finance Corporation. It delivers both aviation consultancy and Part 145 engine maintenance services to the aviation industry from its UK headquarters at Aviation House.