Member Article

World leader Altran joins host of innovative businesses establishing a base at the iHub

Altran, a world leader in engineering and R&D services, is one of the latest hi-tech companies to establish a base at Derby’s £12m iHub innovation centre.

The company, which employs 45,000 people in over 20 countries across the globe, has taken two offices at the iHub – the flagship building on Infinity Park.

A pioneer in engineering and R&D services, Altran provides its clients with a new way to innovate by developing the products and services of tomorrow. The company works alongside its clients on every link in the value chain of their project, from conception to industrialisation.

For more than thirty years, the Altran group has provided its expertise to key players across the aerospace, automotive, defence, energy, finance, life sciences, railway and telecoms sectors, amongst others.

The move comes during an exciting point in Altran’s history, following its high-profile acquisition of digital leader in design and engineering services Aricent.

The high-quality accommodation, services and facilities available at the iHub will enable Altran to continue to expand its footprint in Derby, advising leading players in the aerospace, automotive, energy and rail sectors on the new technologies that will bring value to their business and wider society.

Since it was launched last Autumn, the £12m iHub, which has Enterprise Zone status, has attracted a diverse range of businesses such as global aerospace giant Airbus to its 18 traditional office workspaces and 14 ground floor workshops.

Occupancy levels have exceeded all expectations, with local, regional and national companies taking advantage of the building’s strategic location on Infinity Park, the new 100-acre manufacturing focused commercial and technology site, strategically located between Sinfin and Chellaston, to the south of the city.

The iHub is close to the world headquarters of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace and within 15 minutes of OEMs including Bombardier, Toyota and JCB, with direct links to the A50 and M1.

The iHub provides flexible workspace for businesses - from start-ups to global companies - hoping to establish themselves or expand their role in the transport engineering and hi-tech sectors.

Another exciting addition to the facilities at the iHub is the innovative ‘iLab’, which provides companies with a local facility to undertake initial design, prototyping and testing of new range of products and services. It features an additive manufacturing cell, including vacuum casting machine, digital microscope, 3D printers and 3D AutoCAD software. A virtual reality suite includes Oculus Rift headset.

The building also offers a multi-purpose ‘heart space’ area, which is establishing a reputation as a leading regional conference and event venue.

Commenting on the company’s arrival at the iHub, Mike Simms, CEO of Altran UK, said:

“The iHub is a fantastic facility which is gaining recognition nationally. The location, services and facilities available here will support our provision of high-value engineering expertise to clients in the aerospace, automotive, energy and rail sectors.”

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, added:

“Since it was launched last Autumn, the iHub has established a reputation for providing a supportive and collaborative environment to enable businesses to innovate, grow and develop.

“Altran is a global name and we’re delighted to welcome the team to the iHub innovation centre.”

The iHub builds on the success of the popular Connect Derby scheme, which has created a strong market for mixed use and sector specific serviced offices across the city at its six other buildings across the city – Friar Gate Studios, Marble Hall, Riverside Chambers, Sadler Bridge Studios, Kings Chambers and Shot Tower.

The building scooped the Design Excellence Award at Insider’s East Midlands Property Dinner 2017 and was named best commercial development at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2017, East Midlands.

The development has received funding from the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as Derby City Council and the University of Derby.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .