WORK on the first phase of Sandvik's new Halesowen HQ has been completed.

The building on the A456 Manor Way is finished and is ready to be occupied.

Work on the second phase of the project - to demolish an existing warehouse building with office accommodation and create a car park with 130 new spaces - is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Angus Huntley, Director at Stoford, which is carrying out the work, said: “This is a modern and energy efficient headquarters building, which has transformed the site and retained many high quality jobs in the West Midlands.

"We are pleased to have worked in partnership with Sandvik Coromant to deliver the scheme and look forward to completing the final phase of works.”

Swedish manufacturing firm Sandvik has been based on the spot since 1958.

After failing to find a smaller site it decided to build a smaller HQ and demolish its existing HQ and other buildings and sell part of the site for homes.

The scheme was given £5 million investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority, with the building boasting an EPC A-rating, with features including photovoltaic roof panels and rainwater harvesting.

David Harbon, UK Sales Director at Sandvik Coromant, said: “This is a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance metal cutting machining knowledge and innovation.

"The Sandvik Coromant Centre is a key part of our strategy and plays an important role in bringing people together, whether in-person or virtually."

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "We remain as committed as ever to brownfield-first development which of course helps protect our precious greenbelt.

“It’s fantastic that this scheme will ensure that Sandvik Coromant’s rich history of operating in the Black Country will continue in the years ahead.”