Ideal Heating, a leading provider of heating solutions in the UK, recently launched the country’s first heat pump production line at its Hull site. This milestone is part of a substantial £60m investment, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting the nation’s transition towards green heating solutions in order to achieve a net zero future.
To mark the commencement of heat pump production, Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited Ideal Heating’s Hull factory. This development forms a crucial component of the £60m investment program at the site, which encompasses an expanded distribution hub, as well as a state-of-the-art research and development center aimed at pioneering cutting-edge heating technologies. Additionally, a heat pump manufacturing facility has been established.
In line with its dedication to advancing sustainable heating solutions, Ideal Heating has invested over £2m in a flagship training center in Hessle, East Yorkshire. This impressive facility serves as one of the largest and best-equipped training centers in the heating industry, accommodating up to 5,000 installers annually who seek to acquire the necessary skills for heat pump installation and servicing.
Shaun Edwards, CEO of Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland, and North America, emphasized the significance of this transition, stating, “The shift towards low carbon heating solutions, including heat pumps, represents the most substantial transformation in our business since transitioning from coal to gas-fired boilers in the 1930s.” He further highlighted the major investments being made at the Hull site, reinforcing the company’s dedication to the net zero transition and its commitment to meeting the ever-evolving needs of customers.
For many years, Ideal has been synonymous with boilers and other industry-leading heating products. However, with the initiation of heat pump production and the subsequent investments, the company is now vigorously advancing renewable technologies that will play an increasingly significant role in heating both residential and commercial properties in the UK.
Ideal Heating’s transition towards renewable heating solutions holds immense importance for the UK’s green industrial revolution. To achieve a net zero status by 2050, a substantial decarbonization of the housing stock is imperative, considering that over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions originate from homes.
Lord Callanan’s visit to the Hull site is a testament to the pivotal role played by Ideal Heating in the heating industry’s green transition, highlighting the company’s status as a major UK manufacturer and employer. With an impressive workforce of 800 in Hull, primarily involved in manufacturing, and an overall employment count of approximately 1,500 across the UK when considering sister businesses, Ideal Heating remains a driving force in the nation’s sustainable heating sector.
During his visit to the National Avenue site in Hull, Lord Callanan inaugurated heat pump production while also officially unveiling Ideal Heating’s £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle. This symbolic occasion underscores the company’s dedication to both innovation and the development of a skilled workforce.
