HWG Harworth Group Plc

Harworth, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has completed the acquisition of Catalyst, a 285,000 sq. ft., Grade A, urban logistics estate in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The £43.7 million purchase price reflects a net initial yield of 5.4%.

The asset, completed in 2023, is strategically located adjacent to the Group's flagship industrial development and major UK manufacturing hub, the Advanced Manufacturing Park ("AMP"). The acquisition delivers an extension to the AMP which now benefits from a highly prominent, extensive frontage on both sides of the Sheffield Parkway and its excellent arterial connectivity provides access to a vast labour pool.

The acquisition is in line with Harworth's strategy to grow its Investment Portfolio to £0.9 billion by the end of 2029 and transition its core portfolio to 100% Grade A by 2027. Following this acquisition, alongside practical completion of a further 73,000 sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space at the AMP earlier this month, the Group's Investment Portfolio will total 2.8 million sq. ft., of which 45% is Grade A (30 June 2024: 37%).

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "This acquisition, the largest of an Industrial & Logistics investment asset in Harworth's history, aligns with our strategy to grow our high-quality Investment Portfolio. It also continues our track record of strategic site assembly, providing an opportunity to extend the AMP, further establishing it as one of the leading manufacturing and distribution centres in the region.

"Increased direct development and the retention of Grade A Industrial & Logistics assets across our major sites, supplemented by select, income producing acquisitions, is core to our strategy, whilst we will also look to recycle properties where value has been maximised through completed asset management initiatives."