Freeths LLP advises SBD Apparel Limited on the £12m acquisition of a new unit in Rotherham, creating hundreds of jobs

Freeths Sheffield Real Estate team has advised strength and fitness clothing company SBD Apparel Limited on the acquisition and construction of its new £12m 100,000 sq ft premises at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

SBD Apparel is a world-renowned sports brand manufacturing premium performance clothing and strength supports which are worn by elite strength and fitness athletes across the world. It is well known for its affiliation with the World Strongest Man competition.

Having moved its offices and warehouses closer to its main factory in Rotherham five years ago, SBD has expanded its workforce from four to 125 staff, increased turnover by over 600% and now supports over 200 professional athletes.Following £1.5 million of grant funding from Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield combined authorities, Freeths was instructed by SBD Apparel in June 2020 in connection with the purchase of a circa 3.76 acre plot of land at the Advanced Manufacturing Park from Harworth Estates Investment Limited, together with a simultaneous Development Agreement for Harworth to carry out the proposed development.

The acquisition of SBD Apparel's new site included the construction of a bespoke industrial unit comprising a total of 100,000 sq ft for manufacturing use, creating over 200 new jobs, and additional land for future expansion supporting SBD Apparel's ongoing plans for growth.

Freeths legal team included Real Estate Partner John Flathers, Corporate Partner Peter Crawford, Managing Associate Marie Mulligan and Associate Robert Mander, supported by Associate Victoria Price and Legal Assistants Molly Happs and Josephine Connery.

Commenting on the deal, John Flathers said: “We were really pleased to act for SBD Apparel on the development of their impressive new 100,000 sq ft building at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham. This was a real team effort over a two-year period and with over 200 new jobs created for the region, it is fantastic to see SBD Apparel go from strength to strength and also investing in the South Yorkshire economy.”

William Islip, Commercial Director, SBD Apparel said: “We are delighted to make this significant investment within the South Yorkshire economy which is key to the continued delivery of our long-term growth strategy. We are grateful for all the hard work undertaken by everyone at Freeths to ensure this transaction was completed within the agreed timeframe.”