Agratas and Sir Robert McAlpine join forces on battery facility

Agratas has announced the phased appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine as the official delivery partner for Building One of its state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing facility, near Bridgwater in Somerset.

Building One and ancillary development comprises 244,710 sqm GEA of built area, more than 35% larger than Wembley Stadium which covers approximately 180,000 sqm GEA.

Sir Robert McAlpine will now start preparations for the development, which is scheduled to be operational in 2026. Preparatory works have been underway at the site for several months already, with piling for Building One expected to commence in the coming weeks.

An extensive tender process saw Sir Robert McAlpine and competing firms assessed on the quality of their bids in relation to cost, capability, experience, sustainability and collaborative working. The successful partner performed well across the board to secure appointment on a distinct, stand-alone Pre-Construction Services Agreement.

Joe Hibbert, Vice President for Capital Projects at Agratas commented: “The beginning of this partnership with Sir Robert McAlpine is another pivotal moment for our nationally significant project.

“The team brings an unrivalled commitment to technical excellence, client service, sustainability and exemplary project delivery, and most importantly, they live and breathe our shared vision of placing community at the heart of everything we do.”

Grant Findlay, Executive Managing Director for Buildings, Sir Robert McAlpine, added: “Across our 155-year history, we have always been at the forefront of industrial change in the UK. This is why we are proud to be working with Agratas as its preferred delivery partner.”

“We are aligned in our ambitions for making a long lasting, positive impact on local communities, guided by our vision to construct a better world for future generations.”

Once all phases of construction are complete, the facility is set to be the biggest of its kind in the UK and by the early 2030s will contribute almost half of the projected battery manufacturing capacity required for the UK automotive sector.

The development of Building One will require approximately 2,100 construction roles at peak times, many across Tier 3 and 4 of the supply chain. Together, Agratas and Sir Robert McAlpine will deliver a Workforce Development Strategy to realise a local first approach, prioritising surrounding communities and fostering strong regional employment opportunities.