In October 2013 Apex were contracted by Northern Developments (on behalf of M-Sport) to assist in the preparation of information for a planning submission for the development of an automotive evaluation centre at the M-Sport Headquarters, Dovenby Hall, Cumbria.

The Apex designed facility is primarily used by M-Sport engineers to evaluate vehicles that have been developed on site, in addition there is the commercial case to use the facility for corporate and manufacturer experience activity. M-Sport historically had to visit nearby evaluation centres prior to competition and retail. By bringing this activity on site alongside all the existing manufacturing and engine testing facilities, the organisation creates a unique facility in this part of the UK offering complete testing, evaluation, manufacturing and production facilities.

Whilst also benefiting from reduced testing and logistics costs, the facility also reduces otherwise unavoidable staff down time due to travel to and from other facilities nationwide and thus improving the organisations carbon footprint. M-Sport have developed a very successful relationship with Bentley that has led to the development of the Bentley Continental GT3 for competition. So, with the development of multiple vehicles on site, the requirement for a suitable private evaluation centre has been very well received.

The facility is now the subject of great interest from OEM and equipment manufacturers who require privacy while they work with the added benefit of world class support infrastructure. This helping to provide M-Sport with additional and robust revenue streams into the future.