Ideal Heating invests in first UK heat pump production line

Ideal Heating heat pump production

Hull-based Ideal Heating, a leading UK manufacturer of boilers and heating products for over a century, has launched its first UK heat pump production line as part of a huge investment in low-carbon technologies. The business is currently undergoing a major transformation as it engineers the ‘green’ heating solutions to accelerate the UK’s drive towards ‘net zero’.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited Ideal Heating’s factory to mark the launch of heat pump production at the site. The new line forms part of a £60 million investment programme which includes a heat pump manufacturing facility, expanded distribution hub, and an R&D centre to pioneer future heating technologies.

Ideal Heating has also invested more than £2 million in its flagship training centre — one of the heating industry’s largest and best-equipped training facilities and where up to 5,000 installers every year can gain the skills to install and service heat pumps. As a UK market leader in both the domestic and commercial heating sectors, the company is now leading the industry towards a ‘greener’ future, supported by its parent company, Groupe Atlantic.

Low-carbon heating solutions
Shaun Edwards, CEO of Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland and North America, said: “The transition to low-carbon heating solutions including heat pumps, is the largest transformation in the business since we moved from coal to gas-fired boilers in the 1930s. The major investments we are making send out a very clear signal about our commitment to the ‘net zero’ transition and to re-modelling our business to meet the needs of our customers today and into the future.”

Pictured right: Lord Callanan cuts a green ribbon to officially open Ideal Heating’s new National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle, assisted by Shaun Edwards, CEO, Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland and North America

Mr Edwards continued: “For decades the name Ideal has been associated with boilers and other market-leading heating products. With the start of heat pump production and the many other investments we are making, we are now pushing strongly forward with renewable technologies that will play an ever-growing role in heating the UK’s homes and commercial premises.”

A huge decarbonisation of housing stock must take place to achieve ‘net zero’ status by 2050, as homes account for more than a quarter of all ‘greenhouse’ gas emissions. Lord Callanan’s visit is recognition of the vital role played by the business in the heating industry’s green transition and the company’s status as a major UK manufacturer and employer.

It has a 800-strong workforce in Hull — the majority in manufacturing roles — with a total of around 1,500 employed across the UK by the company and its sister businesses. Developments at the two sites represent an investment of tens of millions of pounds in UK manufacturing, innovation, R&D, and training.

Lord Callanan’s visit marked the start of heat pump production on the site. He also officially opened the company’s £2.2 million National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle, on the outskirts of Hull. On his arrival at the training facility, Lord Callanan addressed the staff and said: “Ideal Heating is by far the most advanced of the traditional gas boiler manufacturers and it is great to see all the developments that are taking place in terms of manufacturing, production and training.”

Jason Speedy, Ideal Heating COO, said: “Backed by our parent company Groupe Atlantic, we are excited to be investing massively in our site in Hull, and to establishing our new training centre, as we diversify our product portfolio and continue to innovate new technologies.”