Spire Global has expanded its Glasgow operations with a new nanosatellite manufacturing and test facility, taking up an additional 5,284 sq. ft. of space in Glasgow’s Skypark 5. The new space allows Spire to design, build, test, and integrate satellites entirely within one building and is the most comprehensive facility of its kind in the world.
Glasgow, once famous for ship building, is now leading the way in Europe in the new age of nanosatellites. Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, recently visited the new facility to view the production of Spire’s satellites and progress of the business. The Minister stated that “Spire are a great example of a successful inward investor to Scotland. They’ve expanded and they expect to create another 20 jobs in the coming year. That is an incredible achievement for a company less than three years old!”
He continued “The space sector is strong and experiencing rapid growing in Scotland, and Spire is perfectly placed to make the most of the opportunities offered by the expansion of this highly innovative and extremely hi-tech industry.”
Spire has launched 44 satellites in less than 4 years with 40 of those having been built in Glasgow. “Spire like to iterate quickly and integrate new innovations on a very fast cycle” said Nick Allain of Spire. “Our expansion in Skypark gives us even more speed and ability to build more satellites and test them ourselves without having to exit the building.” The additional space also gives Spire room to expand its headcount. Spire’s Glasgow office, its largest at 45 employees, continues to grow along with the company’s other offices in California, Colorado, and Singapore.
Commenting on the deal on behalf of Skypark, Ken McInnes of Ryden said: “Spire’s decision to expand here is a welcome endorsement of the success that is Skypark and the business community here. Offering flexible spaces from 347 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft., Skypark has a wide range of accommodation options to suit occupiers` needs with a high quality well-located working environment with onsite amenities.”
Skypark offers a unique ‘business hotel’ concept to allow those working on campus to play as well as work with a nursery, car valet, Sweat! Gym, social events and beauty services all on site. It has immediate access to all the great transport links, restaurants and leisure facilities Finnieston has to offer.
Image: (left to right) Jeroen Cappaert, Co-Founder, Paul Wheelhouse, MSP The Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy and Danny Bryce, Head of Manufacturing, in Spire’s new Glasgow production facility. Image supplied by Spire.
