Heat pump production line launched as part of £60m net zero drive

Ideal Heating has launched its first UK heat pump production line at its headquarters in Hull as part of a huge investment in low carbon technologies.

The company has been manufacturing boilers for over a century at its Hull site.

But now the business is undergoing a transformation as it engineers green heating solutions to support the UK’s drive to net zero.

The new heat pump production line forms part of a £60m investment programme in Hull, 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, backed by its parent company Groupe Atlantic, has also invested more than £2m in a flagship training centre in Hessle, 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 has an 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, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited the Hull factory to mark the start of heat pump production by the company in the UK.

He also officially opened the firm’s £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle.

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.”

Jason Speedy, chief operations officer at the business, added: “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.”