Belfry Group lands EcoPod deal with Carillion

WARRINGTON-based Belfry Group is expected to create up to 100 jobs after signing a licensing deal with energy services group Carillion for its Ecopod heating system.

The EcoPod, which was designed and developed by Belfry’s managing director Keith Rimmer to help alleviate alleviate fuel poverty, uses a combination of renewable technologies to virtually halve energy costs and emissions in a wide range of buildings.

EcoPod has already been fitted to a number of social housing properties, schools and industrial sites in Manchester and Liverpool. The heating system, which is housed in roofs, uses a solar-powered cascade boiler to heat buildings. It can be fitted to buildings retrospectively and offers savings on fuel bills of up to 40%.

The new deal gives Carillion the exclusive right to market, sell and install the EcoPod system worldwide under licence. A new joint venture company, EcoPod Heating Systems, has also been created under a deal which has also seen Belfry Group director and shareholder Brian Kerr retire from the business. It plans to set up other operations around the UK in order to rollout the EcoPod system.

Mr Rimmer said: “This is a major deal for Belfry Group and it has the potential to open up some amazing opportunities.

“Carillion Energy Services shared our vision for the future of EcoPod and we are excited at the prospect of driving it to the forefront of the renewable energy market.”

Carillion Energy Services director Phil Shepley says: “EcoPod has already proved to be an outstanding solution for reducing fuel bills – by over 40% in some cases – and carbon emissions.

“A major benefit is that it allows renewable energy solutions to be introduced into large apartment blocks and, for the fuel poor, EcoPod brings significant reductions in energy costs to those who need it most.”

The firm was advised on the joint venture by Ruth Jones of law firm Brabners Chaffe Street.

“The innovative EcoPod has been causing quite a stir in the renewables sector,” said Jones. “This deal recognises Keith Rimmer’s commitment to creating an ingenious green technology product affording him a distinct advantage in a competitive marketplace.

“This investment will allow the business to expand upon its sound business model and continue the growth of its market share within the UK and internationally.”