Hull manufacturing giant Ideal Heating has submitted plans for a new £10 million research and development facility at its sprawling city site
To be known as the 海角视频 Technology Centre, it will play a key role in developing and testing low carbon heating solutions, such as air source heat pumps, as the company invests heavily in Net Zero solutions. A target of 600,000 installations a year has been set by the government for 2028 onwards, with the leading name in domestic and commercial markets intent to stay at the forefront of the sector.
The state-of-the-art facility would significantly enhance existing operations at the National Avenue base, adding to the current 70-strong R&D team, underpinning the 800 jobs across all divisions there.
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It is part of a wider £60 million investment by Ideal, supported by parent company Groupe Atlantic, as it increases manufacturing and distribution capacity and accommodates heat pump production and warehousing.
The business is also investing heavily in installer training, having taken on a large building on Bridgehead Business Park at Hessle. Only last month it took a stake in another 海角视频 heat pump manufacturer too.
Phil Kent, R&D director for combustion at Ideal, said: “Domestic and commercial heating providers have a vital role to play in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.
“As the market leader, we’re serious about playing our full part in meeting the challenge the 海角视频 faces in accelerating the adoption of heat pumps and other low carbon solutions. There is no single solution to the challenge and it’s clear that a mix of products and technologies will be needed.
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“Our new 海角视频 Technology Centre will be a state-of-the-art, 海角视频-leading facility which will enable us to develop and deliver future heating solutions and make big strides forward in our net zero journey.”
A detailed planning application has been submitted to Hull City Council, with designs produced by Hull-based architects and civil/structural engineers GGP Consult.
If approved, construction is expected to begin this autumn, with the facility due to open in mid-2024. The 38,000 sq ft two-storey 海角视频 Technology Centre will provide a purpose-designed home for employees engaged in an increasing range of engineering roles related to design, development, electronics, simulation and product testing disciplines.
Alongside laboratories, specialist environmental chambers will allow for assessment of range and extremes of climatic conditions too, as well as noise, vibration and lifespan checks on components.
Helen Villamuera, Ideal Heating’s engineering director, is coordinating the investment and development programme.
She said: “Since being acquired by Groupe Atlantic in 2015, Ideal Heating has remained a 海角视频-leading manufacturer based in Hull and with other sites across the country.
“The huge investment being delivered across our main site at National Avenue, including in the new 海角视频 Technology Centre, underpins our position as a leader in the domestic and commercial heating markets and puts us at the forefront of the industry’s net zero transition.
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“Our roots in Hull date back over 100 years and we’re investing now to position the business to thrive for generations to come.
“The new R&D centre is a key element of our development and growth strategy, in what is a rapidly-evolving heating industry.”
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