An EPIC new centre for Wasps Rugby

Wasps Rugby has officially opened its new Elite Performance and Innovation Centre (EPIC).

The multi-million-pound centre at Henley-in-Arden will be the new home of Wasps’ men’s first team and academy.

The facility, which is located on a 13-acre site, cost £4 million, with the construction project completed by Warwickshire-based development partner Wigley Building & Development.

The centre is Wasps’ first permanent training ground of its own since leaving Sudbury in 1999.

It features a grass pitch which is identical in size to the pitch at the club’s home ground at the Coventry Building Society Arena. A 3G plus surface has also been installed next to the grass pitch to allow for training in all weather conditions.

The gym has been kitted out by Nuneaton specialist Indigo Fitness, and there’s also a media centre, medical complex and offices for coaching and administration staff.

For player recovery there are two large hydrotherapy pools and a sauna.

Stephen Vaughan, Wasps Group Chief Executive, said: “This has been a significant investment and signals an exciting new era for the club. It is an investment that not only supports the Wasps players of today but will be essential to the growth of the players of tomorrow in our academy.”

US emissions monitoring group swoops on Coventry gas technology business

Coventry based gas analysis company Gas Data Ltd, has been acquired by US Group, Ecotec, with legal advice from Midlands law firm Thursfields Solicitors. The sale price was not disclosed.

Gas Data Ltd was founded 30 years ago and provides installation, commissioning, and maintenance services.

Ecotec and Gas Data use similar core technologies and serve complementary markets.

As a result, the acquisition will enable Ecotec to expand its capabilities and extend geographic reach, furthering the combined portfolio of methanefocused environmental solutions.

Warwickshire construction equipment company on target for £1M turnover

A Warwickshire construction equipment company which supplies ground screws as an alternative to concrete foundations – and counts Manchester United and McDonald’s as clients – is on target to hit £1 million in annual revenue after moving into a new headquarters in Ryton.

The Ground Screw Centre was established in 2016 by directors Steve Hawthornthwaite and Paul Brown. It has experienced significant growth for its product range over the last 12 months – matching the boom in sales for sheds, garden rooms, offices, decking and other small structures such as signage and fencing.

The company has been supported by the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Ready Programme and turnover has jumped from £185,000 to £875,000.

Lesters Logistics targets ‘remote fleet’ to tackle driver shortages

Creating a “remote fleet” for moving goods around the country is set to deliver Nuneaton-based haulage firm Lesters Logistics a 40 per cent boost in annual sales.

Lesters Logistics has seen demand for its services rise significantly as more companies look to offset the lack of HGV drivers by outsourcing part of their delivery requirements or sourcing warehousing space to store products.

The company, which used to be known as SL Packaging & Transport before the recent rebranding exercise, is now setting its sights on a record £1 million turnover this year and will be supported by completion of a £150,000 investment drive.

This will include making the most of a new MRP system that gives complete client traceability, new racking for its 22,000 sq ft warehouse and the acquisition of further vehicles for its rapidly growing fleet.

The company’s current fleet features 3.5 tonne vehicles, 18 tonne trucks and articulated lorries thanks to its network of transport partners.