Global chemical company, BASF, has announced its UK headquarters will move to 2 Stockport Exchange. The second building at Stockport Exchange, it is due to be completed in February 2020 with BASF moving into the Stockport town centre office building later in the year.
BASF has been operating in the UK since 1880, with 13 locations across the UK. BASF companies supply raw materials to most industries including agriculture, automotive chemicals, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals.
Richard Carter, Managing Director of BASF in the UK and Ireland, said:
We are looking forward to moving our UK headquarters from Cheadle to this exciting new ‘connected’ location later this year. Our new office space in Stockport Exchange will feature open and collaborative workspace to enable new and more agile ways of working.
“The move is part of an ongoing Future of Work project which will deliver a better workplace experience through improved digitalisation, increased flexibility and empowered leadership.”
The wider £145 million Stockport Exchange transformation, delivered in partnership by Stockport Council and national urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, sits centrally to the council’s ambitious £1 billion regeneration programme. This includes a new transport interchange, which will build on Stockport’s first-class connectivity; the Mayoral Development Corporation – the first of its kind nationally – will create a new urban village with 3,500 homes and up to 1 million square feet of commercial space.
Improvements to the historic Market Place have also created a thriving leisure destination, with ambitious plans for Merseyway Shopping Centre will soon be underway.
The scheme has striking design features, which includes an innovative stone façade and it will sit alongside Holiday Inn Express, retail space and the leisure centre. Extensive public realm improvements will also complement the new development.
Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
Today marks a real milestone in what we have achieved in Stockport. Attracting high calibre businesses like BASF to the town centre is what we set out to do and I am thrilled to welcome them to 2 Stockport Exchange today.
“The building is looking fantastic and has been finished to a really high standard, complementing our ambitious plans for the town centre, like the Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create, the new Transport Interchange and improvements to Merseyway. 2 Stockport Exchange has proved to be a resounding success and I’m really proud of this.”
Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said:
Our vision for Stockport Exchange is to attract internationally renowned companies looking for, high quality development with excellent transport connections and with all the benefits of a modern town centre close by. We are delighted that BASF will be joining existing tenants musicMagpie, Stagecoach, Cafélito and Sainsburys at Stockport Exchange.
“The building is looking fantastic and has been finished to a really high standard, complementing our ambitious plans for the town centre, like the Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create, the new Transport Interchange and improvements to Merseyway. 2 Stockport Exchange has proved to be a resounding success and I’m really proud of this.”
Tom Webber, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said:
We’re delighted to welcome BASF to Stockport Exchange, who will take two floors in our second office building at the scheme. They will add to the growing list of high-profile office occupiers committing to this fantastic location, with occupier interest remaining strong.
“To attract a market-leading global organisation is testament to the partners of the scheme delivering a high-quality business environment and the increasing confidence in Stockport Exchange as South Manchester’s most accessible business hub.”
Image L-R:
- Tom Webber, Senior Development Surveyor, Muse Developments
- Helen Koerner, Head of Legal, BASF
- Pam Smith, Chief Executive, Stockport Council
- Richard Carter, Managing Director, BASF UK and Ireland
- Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council
- Phil Mayall, Regional Director, Muse Developments
- Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council
- Tom Urwin, Head of Property, BASF
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