Ideal Heating has launched the first UK heat pump production line at its Hull site as part of £60m investment as the business undergoes a major transformation working towards the green heating solutions to support the UK’s drive to net zero.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited Ideal Heating’s Hull factory to mark the start of heat pump production by the company in the UK.
The new heat pump production line forms part of a £60m investment programme at the Hull site, which includes an expanded distribution hub, a research and development centre to pioneer the heating technologies of the future, and a heat pump manufacturing facility.
Ideal Heating has also invested more than £2m in a flagship training centre in Hessle, East Yorkshire – 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.
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 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 UK’s homes and commercial premises.”
Ideal Heating’s transition to renewable heating solutions will play a key role in the UK’s green industrial revolution.
A huge decarbonisation of housing stock must take place for the UK to achieve net zero status by 2050, as homes account for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions.
Lord Callanan’s visit to Hull is recognition of the vital role played by Ideal Heating in the heating industry’s green transition and the company’s status as a major UK manufacturer and employer.
Ideal Heating 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.
Lord Callanan’s visit to the National Avenue site in Hull marked the start of heat pump production on the site. He also officially opened Ideal Heating’s £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle.
