Heat pump production has been launched by Ideal Heating in Hull.
The new line is up and running, part of a £60 million investment into the city to support the journey to Net Zero, in what is described as the biggest transition for the firm in almost a century.
Manufacturing of the low carbon green energy solutions is being complemented by an expanded distribution hub and new £10 million research and development centre to pioneer further advances at the National Avenue base. £2.2 million has also been spent on a new training centre at Hessle’s Bridgehead Business Park.
Read more: Ideal Heating bolsters supply chain support for carbon footprint reductions
Shaun Edwards, chief executive of parent company Groupe Atlantic in the 海角视频, said: “The transition to low carbon heating solutions including heat pumps is the biggest transformation in the business since we moved from coal to gas-fired boilers in the 1930s.
“The major investments we’re making at our Hull site 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.
“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’re making, we’re now pushing strongly forward with renewable technologies that will play an ever-growing role in heating the 海角视频’s homes and commercial premises.”
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, was invited to witness the start of a new era, while opening the training centre, where 5,000 installers a year will gain the skills required to fit and service the equipment.
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Addressing some of the firm’s 800 staff, he said: “Ideal Heating is by far the most advanced of the traditional gas boiler manufacturers and it’s great to see all the developments that are taking place in terms of manufacturing, production and training.
“Everyone at Ideal Heating is doing a fantastic job, so I’d like to say well done and keep it up.”
The Government has set an ambitious target for 600,000 heat pumps to be installed in the 海角视频 every year by 2028, which will require thousands more skilled and qualified low carbon engineers.
It is driving the investment decisions, with the National Training and Technology Centre described as providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for both existing installers looking to upskill and new entrants to the industry.
Lord Callanan met members of Ideal Heating’s Expert Academy training team and installers undergoing training at the centre.
Jason Speedy, chief operations officer at the £351.9 million turnover business, said: “Backed by our parent company Groupe Atlantic, we’re excited to be investing massively in our site in Hull, and to establish our new training centre, as we diversify our product portfolio and continue to innovate new technologies.”
Plans to enter the market from the city were first revealed in late 2020, with a £16 million physical expansion of the site coming a year later. The Bridgehead site, formerly Victoria Plum's HQ, was acquired in early 2022.