Vestas research and development, West Medina Mills
Address and point of contact
Vestas Technology R&D
West Medina Mills
Stag Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TR
Phone: (+44) (0) 1983 288000
Introducing the Venture Quays office
The world class R&D facility at West Medina Mills (WMM) was completed in 2011. The centre has been built to the highest environmental standards and utilises numerous green technologies, building techniques and materials to minimise both energy consumption and the impact on the local environment.
Ground source heat pumps provide all the heating and cooling requirements of the new office block, and 30m² of solar panels provide hot water for the offices, which boast around 15% higher insulation properties than standard. Rainwater will be harvested from the roofs of the test halls and used for toilet flushing and irrigation.
A 6000m² area of the site is devoted to a nature reserve, securing the habitat of rare and protected local flora and fauna.
A little history
In June 2011, staff who had temporarily been relocated from Saint Cross to Venture Quays moved into the new R&D centre in Stag Lane, Newport. The Vestas site at Saint Cross Business Park, Newport, remains open as a Production Engineering facility for the prototyping of emerging products and technologies.
Departments
Departments at West Medina Mills include:
- Technology R&D; Materials & Process, Design and Development, Project Management, Tooling and Automation, Test & Verification, Rotor Systems UK
- P&C UK
- The prototype and test halls – each the size of two football pitches – will allow full-scale prototyping of V164 blades to commence in 2012.
What’s it like to work here
As with most Vestas locations there is a diverse, friendly, dynamic working environment at WMM. The state of the art facility and picturesque riverside surroundings make a great setting to work at, and the perfect place for a lunch time stroll by the river.
Local benefits
Our staff restaurant uses locally sourced and sustainable product wherever possible, and a staff-run vegetable garden is being developed to help supply “home grown” fruit, vegetables and herbs. Fresh fruit and hot beverages are available free to staff daily. Facilities are provided for 100 cyclists; staff are encouraged to use the Cowes-Newport cycle path for their daily commute.
West Medina Mills is close to the county town of Newport and also to Cowes, renowned for its sailing heritage. Staff often organise sailing or cycling activities, and the table tennis and table football games have proved popular at lunch times.
Sights and surroundings
The Isle of Wight is picturesque location with beautiful countryside, beaches, historical buildings and small towns and villages. It is home to Osborne House, former summer residence of Queen Victoria, and in recent years the annual Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival have made it a popular venue for music fans. Whether you enjoy sporting activities such as sailing or cycling, gentle countryside walks, eating out or just general socialising there are abundant choices on the Isle of Wight.
