Dorset Innovation Park expands to meet growing demand

More space is being created for growing businesses at Dorset Innovation Park as new companies move to the site and an existing tenant expands its presence.

Norco Composites & GRP has received approval to double the size of its advanced composites manufacturing facility at the park near Wool.

The company says the proposed expansion would create additional skilled roles and increase capacity to support continued business growth across its markets.

Mark Northey, Managing Director of Norco Composites & GRP, said: “We are pleased to be investing further at Dorset Innovation Park in support of our ongoing growth plans. The park offers a strong platform for our business and we look forward to continuing our work here.”

Meanwhile, underwater survey specialist Shoreline Surveys, which has nine staff, has taken a unit at the park plus dedicated space in the BattleLab, a NATO-accredited test and evaluation facility provided at the site by Dorset Council and the Ministry of Defence.

The park has also welcomed Vaspba Remote Piloted Systems, which employs six people, into a Quadrant workshop unit. Director Daniel Spence said: "The park’s focus on defence, innovation and advanced engineering aligns closely with our long-term vision of designing and developing advanced drone systems for defence and public service use.

“The inter-company networking and collaboration opportunities, particularly through the BattleLab, have already proved extremely valuable. We’re proud to be part of a site that actively supports innovation and skilled employment in the region."

Dorset Council recently set up an arm’s length company to manage and develop Dorset Innovation Park, the county’s only Enterprise Zone. The site is home to over 800 full time jobs, with the aim to create another 300 by 2030.

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Managing Director Kevin Forshaw said he was focused on highlighting the park’s unique test and evaluation capabilities, plus delivering a range of developments to make the park more visually appealing and ready for external investment.

“These include a desire to get both permanent Higher and Further Education presence on site to drive industry-led R&D via specialist facilities, and to create the necessary skilled workforce via an apprenticeship training centre to fuel growth,” said Mr Forshaw.

“The measures set out in our first business plan will create the ideal location, space and infrastructure to support innovation and economic growth in defence, food and energy security.”

In support of these goals, park owner Dorset Council is buying a further 15 acres of employment land adjacent to the park.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth said: “The purchase will help develop the park’s long-term strategic role as the centre of the defence industry in Dorset, providing opportunities for local people and businesses.”

Companies interested in the opportunities at Dorset Innovation Park can visit dorsetinnovationpark.co.uk

Notes to editors

This is a joint news release from Dorset Council and Dorset Innovation Park Limited.

For more information contact Dorset Innovation Park Ltd MD Kevin Forshaw - kevin.forshaw@dorsetinnovationpark.co.uk