Gateway to new era for Bauder

The new facility at the region’s largest business, innovation and logistics park is set to strengthen Bauder’s presence in Suffolk and support its growth across the UK.

The firm – which specialises in construction materials for flat roofs, green roofs and solar PV arrays – will continue to have its UK operational headquarters at Landseer Road in Ipswich, while the new centre at the Gateway 14 Freeport East site becomes its biggest distribution centre in the UK.

The building was developed by Jaynic on behalf of Gateway 14 Ltd – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council – and built by Wilten Construction.

Representatives from each organisation joined Freeport East at a ceremony to formally hand over the new build to Bauder Ltd’s managing directors Yvonne Higgins and John Llewellyn.

Higgins said: “The completion of our Gateway 14 distribution centre marks a milestone for Bauder. It represents both our growth and confidence in maintaining our high standards while meeting increasing demand in the UK market. We’re thrilled to have achieved this in line with our sustainability programme, and with the employment opportunities it brings to the region.”

Llewellyn added: “We’re delighted with this new state-of-the-art facility. It’s a reflection of Bauder’s continued investment in meeting the evolving needs of our growing customer base. The completion of the Gateway 14 distribution centre comes ahead of the expansion of our operational base in Ipswich, due to get underway in June.”

Gateway 14 forms part of Freeport East – a designated area offering tax and customs benefits for businesses based there.

As part of Gateway 14’s commitment to sustainability, Bauder’s new distribution centre has been designed to BREEAM Excellent standard. Environmental features include an EPC A rating, EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems, and rainwater harvesting.

The wider 2.36 million sq ft site also includes integrated walking and cycling routes, public transport links, and high-quality landscaping to support local biodiversity and creates a vibrant, healthy working environment.

Gateway 14 has already attracted significant investment with the new 1.17 million sq ft distribution hub for garden and leisure retailer The Range now operational, creating 1,600 jobs for the area.

Bauder will soon be joined at Gateway 14 by Turkish-owned building materials producer Assan Panel, which produces insulation and facade systems for UK and European markets.

And most recently, construction has started on the £18 million, three-storey Stowmarket Innovation Gateway – a 35,000 sq ft state-of-the-art skills and innovation centre owned by Mid Suffolk District Council, providing office space for high-growth start-ups, collaboration and innovation spaces, training and meeting rooms and a café.

Ben Oughton, Development Director of Jaynic said: “With Bauder now in occupation, Assan in the pipeline and the Stowmarket Innovation Gateway under construction, Gateway 14 is becoming a truly mixed-use scheme – with an emphasis on sustainable development - attracting a variety of users that will benefit the regional economy in this part of East Anglia.”