Three innovative R&D companies have expanded into the state-of-the-art Hexagon Tower in Blackley, signalling a growing interest in science infrastructure outside of Manchester city centre, according to site operator Pioneer Group.
Hexagon Tower, part of Pioneer Group’s wider life sciences network that includes 645 R&D businesses across Europe, is a significant R&D landmark in Manchester, located next to North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH).
Designed by the renowned modernist architect Richard Seifert, the 11 floor, 165,000 sq ft building opened in 1973 and has become one of Manchester’s premier incubators for growing life science businesses. The site is home to several international life science companies, including Intertek, Arxada and Fresenius.
A £10 million refurbishment has recently been completed, which includes the creation of additional CL2 wet labs with individual suites from 300 sq ft to 2,400 sq ft, capable of accommodating requirements up to 15,000 sq ft, targeting early-stage companies. Works also included recladding and the installation of triple-glazed windows to improve the energy performance of the building.
Jeroen Houtzager, Director at Pioneer Group says: “Blackley continues to be a growing cluster for life sciences in Manchester and the North West region and is quickly becoming known as a destination for exciting companies spinning out of leading North West universities, owing to their strong relationships with the NHS and academic institutions.
“A successful life science destination requires a collaborative environment, space to grow and access to growth capital. Hexagon Tower ticks all these boxes. It provides the facilities for ‘grow on’ space which includes lab and office space, manufacturing facilities, storage facilities, and point of care services. These facilities sit alongside an exciting cluster of life science companies that benefit from being co-located with North Manchester General Hospital, which is set to receive £54m in government funding, paving the way for its redevelopment.
“In addition, North Manchester is growing in popularity as a vibrant and attractive location for graduates and young people to live, meaning businesses located here have access to a pool of high-quality talent. Finally, Pioneer Group can provide the growth capital through our accelerator programme and access to venture capital.”
In July 2024, Alpha Scientific, a water testing specialist and part of ADEY Group, relocated its UKAS-accredited, microbiological water testing laboratory to Hexagon Tower. The new specialist facility will house its team of microbiologists that provide analytical services for microorganisms and is an expansion of the company’s existing premises including those at Pioneer Group’s Kent Science Park.
Of the move, Mo Jassal, Head of Laboratory Operations at Alpha Scientific says: “Our new Manchester lab is a key part of our growth and expansion, which will allow us to provide the highest quality microbiological water testing to further regions across the country. It is essential that our clients have confidence in their water quality. Our UKAS accredited microbiology testing, alongside our technical expertise, provides this assurance to our clients, with fast, reliable and accurate data.
“Scalability is an important part of Alpha’s plans and the move from our previous location in the city, as a result of an increase in demand, will also allow us to grow and expand further. Alongside our current laboratories in Slough and Sittingbourne, the new lab will provide both new and existing clients with a more comprehensive nationwide water testing service.”
Also in July, John Hogg Technical Solutions, a market leader in fuel marking technology and solvent dye manufacturing, moved its R&D department to Hexagon Tower, taking up 1,710 sq ft of space. The new site includes a cutting-edge laboratory and modern office space, where the company will develop new products for the lubricant, aerobatic smoke and NDT markets.
Guy Powell, Technical Manager at John Hogg says: “John Hogg has had a presence in speciality dyes for many years, so having dedicated resources will expand our product range and level of service that we are able to offer to our customers. This exciting move marks a significant milestone in our company’s growth and highlights our commitment to innovation and technical excellence. It is particularly meaningful as it represents our first expansion since we moved to Mellors Road in the early 1980s. We are excited to see our team grow in capacity and capability and look forward to working on new challenges and opportunities at Hexagon Tower.”
Also amongst the companies committing to North Manchester is Colour Synthesis Solutions, a leading provider of fine chemicals and chemistry research and development services, which has taken additional space in Hexagon Tower in support of its expansion plans.
Kelly Schaefer, Sales and Marketing Director at CSS says: “CSS has been in Hexagon Tower for over 15 years, specialising in contract research and custom synthesis. To meet our growing customer demand and expand our services, we needed to increase our capacity. Hexagon Tower worked with us to identify additional space, which is crucial for our future growth and our ability to meet the needs of our customers. This expansion enhances our reactor capacity and analytical capabilities, enabling us to continue offering great flexibility and bespoke chemistry. It marks an exciting chapter for CSS and highlights our continued commitment to new technologies.”