Jon Robinson (Barberry Developments), Paul Kelly and Simon Barkworth (Crown Lift Trucks), Adam McGuinness (MWRE) and Callum Durrant (JLL).

Crown will open a new Midlands facility following its acquisition of a speculative development on a landmark site in Perry Barr, Birmingham.

Crown Lift Trucks has started fit-out at the 46,000 sqft. (4,275 sqm) warehouse and industrial unit and is expected to create employment opportunities in the region, including for workshop and service engineers and administration personnel. The facility, which has been developed by Barberry Group, is based on the former Tuckers Fastenings site at Walsall Road, Perry Barr.

Crown currently supplies a wide range of materials handling equipment combined with fleet management and automation technologies for almost any type of UK industry from its three UK branches. The new Midlands operation will assist in the expansion of its UK business.

Simon Barkworth, UK managing director at Crown Lift Trucks (UK), says: "Our business has grown significantly in the UK and we are delighted to expand into additional bigger premises. Adding to our current branches in Basingstoke, Warrington and Coatbridge, Scotland, this modern facility will allow us to focus upon and support our centrally-based customers more effectively as well as serve as a national training facility, particularly for our service engineers."

Barkworth says Crown is currently recruiting staff for the expansion and is looking locally and further afield for candidates.