TDK – Lambda UK has taken the remaining 2 units of a 9 unit scheme at Wilderbrook Way, Mullacott Cross, Ilfracombe. 18,000 sq.ft. (1,674 sq.m.) of employment space was built in 2018 by local developers, to provide a clear need for simple industrial units in the North Devon region. The scheme was kicked off by a letting to Howdens Joinery in phase I and a prelet to Screwfix in the 2nd phase. The remining units have been let to 247 Global Media, Harrison Pneumatics and a local catering company. Many of the ongoing regional requirements remain unsatisfied with no further land available for development.
The new tenants have recently announced a £11.5m investment package to redevelop its TDK-Lambda manufacturing facility in Ilfracombe, UK. The investment, which will be staged over the next three and a half years, will enable the company to increase production capacity by 50%. The original factory was built over 50 years ago with further expansion in the mid-1980s. While the company has invested heavily in new equipment and building upgrades over these years, including the addition of a £1 million EMC Centre in 2019, it is now time to redevelop the site. The redevelopment will increase manufacturing space, expand the R&D facilities, and radically overhaul and automate the end-to-end material flow. The addition of the storage units at Mullacott Cross will enable the company to be more flexible whilst the redevelopment takes place.