A GLOBAL manufacturer of mining equipment is the latest firm to sign up to Bolton’s new Logistics North super-centre.

Joy Global, which has sites spread across six continents, is planning to base an office and warehouse at the new hub in Over Hulton.

Developers Harworth Estates are in the process of building a 4 million sq ft distribution and manufacturing centre at the former Cutacre open cast mine site off the M61 motorway.

Last week The Bolton News reported that work has also started on the creation of a 550 hectare country park which will surround the business centre.

Joy Global’s new premises will provide 131 permanent jobs, with most of the positions being relocated from its former site in Ince in Wigan.

The plans, which have been agreed subject to contractual completion, will see a ground floor office measuring 1,523 sq metres built alongside a 4,574 sq m. storage and warehouse facility.

There are also proposals for car parking and additional storage facilities on the site.

The specific area of Joy Global’s business that will be carried out at the Bolton facility will include the design, construction and testing of tunnel mining support systems for mineral resources.

The mining manufacturer will be joined at Logistics North by German supermarket giant Aldi, which has already started work to build its north west distribution centre at Cutacre as well as missile manufacturer MBDA which is moving its headquarters from Lostock to the new site.

Harworth Estates has said it is also confident of agreeing terms for more companies to move to Logistics North.

Partnerships manager, Iain Thomson, said: "As you'd expect from one of the north of England's leading commercial developments, occupier interest in the site remains extremely strong."

Logistics North is regarded by Bolton Council as one of the key economic developments for the town and the wider region.

Keith Davies, the council’s director of development and regeneration, said: “It is good news to get a quality international company proposing to relocate here rather than another part of the country.

“This news further consolidates Logistics North as one of the region's key economic development sites and is another step forward in delivering the council's economic strategy for Bolton.”