Sensata reveals plans for new facility in Newtownabbey

Sensata Technologies, a leading provider of sensor-rich solutions that create insights for customers, today announced that it is seeking expressions of interest from potential property developers for the design and construction of its new Northern Ireland Technology Centre in Newtownabbey.
An artist's impression of the proposed facility in Newtownabbey.An artist's impression of the proposed facility in Newtownabbey.
An artist's impression of the proposed facility in Newtownabbey.

The modern, Grade A office building, which is to be located at Global Point Business Park, will comprise 61,500 sq ft across two floors, have 300 car parking spaces and offer flexible working space for 310 desks, with the option to expand in the future by up to 50 per cent.

Sensata Technologies is proposing to occupy the building by way of an agreed lease with the successful developer and it will house a large R&D presence which will attract top quality engineering talent.

Energy efficiency and sustainability will be a key focus in the design of the site.

The company operates in 11 countries globally and has had a significant manufacturing and R&D presence in Northern Ireland since its 2014 acquisition of Schrader Electronics, which was founded in 1988. Sensata Technologies has more than 1,000 employees in Northern Ireland.

In January the firm announced that around 270 people are to lose their jobs with the axing of the Sensata Technologies plant in Carrickfergus. The Meadowbank Road factory is to shut in early 2021.

For more on this story, read here

Meanwhile, in June the company said it was cutting 160 jobs at its site in Antrim in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more on this, read here

Commenting on the Global Point plans, Eric Sorret, VP for auto chassis and general manager in Northern Ireland for Sensata Technologies, said: “We are pleased to progress with plans for our new R&D hub in Co Antrim, further demonstrating our long-term commitment to Northern Ireland.

“We will be reducing our office space at our current location as it is no longer fit for the requirements of an innovative and modern working environment.

“We hope to build our talent pipeline by attracting highly skilled software developers and engineering specialists to join our new base in Global Point Business Park. As a company, we are moving beyond sensor components to providing data insights that we can extract from our sensors; ensuring that we have the right talent to execute on our strategy will be imperative.

“Our R&D team will help to lead the way for the future of our global products, with a strong focus on sustainability. We are committed to business practices that are protective of the environment and this ethos will play a central role in the design of our new building, in our selection of a development partner and also in our ongoing product research.”

Mr Sorret added: “We manufacture a range of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in Northern Ireland and Sensata sensors are already being used to improve industrial pumps and to maximise fuel efficiency in cars and heavy off-road vehicles.

“As electric vehicles rise in popularity, they require sensors and data insights to monitor everything from battery systems to thermal management systems. We recognise that, despite the challenges of this year and the Covid-19 pandemic, opportunities exist for the future and we know that the talent we have found in Northern Ireland can help us to capitalise on these.”

Brian Kidd, partner at Frazer Kidd, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for a property developer to partner with a global company which has recognised the quality of the talent in Northern Ireland and is seeking to develop an R&D base to maintain a long term presence here.

“Global Point Business Park, which is situated approximately 8.8 miles north of Belfast, offers ease of access provided by the M2 and A8 motorway system.

“We recommend that any developer who is interested in submitting an expression of interest contacts our office as soon as possible.”

--

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.

Related topics: