(Image: PR)
Work has begun on a huge new warehouse and distribution facility in Darlington as the latest phase of a major expansion gets under way.
The first steel has gone up at the 282,000 sq ft facility, marking a major milestone in the development.
GMI Construction Group marked the milestone with a steel-signing ceremony at Ingenium Parc attended by Cummins, GMI and the wider delivery team.
Steel erection began in September, just months after GMI broke ground in June on the 5.38-hectare site off Salters Lane.
Steve Walton (left), Cummins’ Regional Facilities Director, with Dominic Dickinson, GMI’s Regional Director for the North East at the steel signing ceremony (Image: PR)
The facility will connect directly to Cummins’ existing manufacturing and offices, bringing more of the power firm’s logistics operation on to its Darlington campus.
It will include automated storage, offices and a large service yard with HGV access, dock levellers and dedicated lorry parking.
The building will combine multi-facing brickwork with aluminium curtain-wall glazing and composite cladding.
The design allows long-term flexibility while tying the building into the existing Cummins site.
The site will also have more than 230 staff parking spaces and cycle storage.
Landscaping will add new planting, seating and measures to boost biodiversity.
Cummins has operated in Darlington since 1965 and employs around 1,700 people locally in manufacturing, assembly, testing and technical and business operations.
The project is the first phase of development at Ingenium Parc, a strategic employment site being brought forward by Darlington Borough Council.
CGI image of the warehouse facility (Image: PR)
Steve Walton, Cummins’ regional facilities director, said: “This development is an important investment in our Darlington operations and will allow us to bring more of our logistics activity onto the campus.
“Having that capability alongside our existing manufacturing, testing and other operations is expected to improve efficiency and strengthen coordination across the campus.
“Cummins has been part of Darlington for more than 60 years, and it’s exciting to see this latest investment now taking shape.”
Dominic Dickinson, GMI’s regional director, whose North East office is based in Stockton, said: “Erecting the steel frame is a major milestone for this project and is the culmination of a tremendous amount of work since we broke ground in June.
“Flagship schemes like this demand seamless collaboration between our client, the design team, and our supply chain. The steel signing is the perfect moment to celebrate the collective hard work that has driven us to this point.
“Over the next few months, the building will rapidly take shape as we transition from the structural phase into the core fit-out.”
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The development was approved by Darlington Borough Council in May 2026.
The facility has been designed to operate independently if needed, with separate service access and car-park entrances from Salters Lane.
Access to the facility will be provided via a road initially created to serve the wider Ingenium Parc development.