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Y International Case Study

Advanced Manufacturing
Y International, a subsidiary belonging to billion-pound retail giant LuLu Group International, has invested £15 million in a new 124,000 sq ft purpose-built facility in Birmingham. The move forms an integral part of LuLu Group’s European expansion plans.
Y International, Investing in the West Midlands.

Why Relocating

The Middle Eastern company specialises in the procurement, consolidation and export activities of products from the UK, to over 160 hypermarkets across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Far East. As part of the company’s global expansion plans, Y International decided to locate a new European headquarters in Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH), a site tailored to support manufacturing businesses.

Tony Perks, Director of Operations at Y International UK, said:

“When comparing potential locations, Birmingham offered a cost-effective and well-connected location, as well as readily available, high quality space, making our decision easy.”

Why the West Midlands?

Y International has joined German tool manufacturer Guhring, US hydraulics manufacturer Hydraforce and medical device company Salts Healthcare, at the AMH. The site is one of six Economic Zones in the city, designed to support expanding businesses by offering incentives such as simplified planning, gap funding and recruitment support.

Greater Birmingham is home to nearly 50,000 employees in the advanced manufacturing sector. The wider region’s world-class supply chain includes global firms Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Guhring, Changan and Hydraforce. Greater Birmingham’s strategic, central location allows Y International to access 90% of the UK population within a four hour drive time. The company will also benefit from a number of research specialisms in manufacturing technology across the city region’s five universities.

The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), which specialises in attracting inward investment into the region, supported Y International throughout its expansion, in addition to coordinating regional marketing and PR activities to mark its arrival.

Nicky Hewitt, Commercial Director at the West Midlands Growth Company, commented:

“Y International’s investment is testament to Greater Birmingham’s appeal to ambitious businesses with equally bold expansion plans. The region’s centrally connected location, highly skilled talent pool and specialist expertise in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, together, create the ideal base for companies looking to grow their product offer and tap into new markets”.