A major new employment development has reached completion at Sopers Lane in Poole, with a 106,000 sq ft manufacturing and office facility providing a new base for IMI.
The building represents the first stage of the wider redevelopment of Sopers Lane and has been designed to provide IMI with modern, purpose-built space to support its long-term operations in the area.
IMI has been part of the Poole business community since the 1960s, originally operating locally as Thompson Valves. Around 240 employees are expected to relocate from the company’s existing Creekmoor site to Sopers Lane in early 2027, once the internal fit-out is complete.
The facility will support the manufacture of specialist solenoid valves and pressure regulators, while providing a more efficient and sustainable working environment
Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the development. The building has achieved an EPC A+ rating, has been designed to meet BREEAM Outstanding standards and incorporates a substantial rooftop solar photovoltaic installation.
The wider scheme will also deliver significant environmental improvements, including more than 120 additional trees, native hedgerow planting and enhancements to the site’s existing watercourses.
The transformation of Sopers Lane will continue with a planned second phase comprising six new business units, ranging from approximately 10,000 sq ft to 26,000 sq ft, creating further high-quality employment space in Poole.
Delivered by Kingsbridge in partnership with Wilten Construction, the completion of the IMI facility marks an important milestone in bringing the wider site back into productive use and creating a sustainable location for businesses to grow.
Read more at Kingsbridgeestates.co.uk