26-11-2024

Gledhill awarded Government funding to accelerate heat pump production

Gledhill, a leading cylinder manufacturer based on the Enterprise Zone, has received significant Government funding to accelerate production of heat pumps in the UK.

The funding will enable increased production capacity of hot water cylinders at the Gledhill manufacturing facility on Sycamore Trading Estate, as well as monobloc heat pump units at Ideal Heating’s site in Hull.

It has been awarded from the Government’s Heat Pump Investment Accelerator competition, which aims to unlock significant private sector investment in the UK heat pump market.

Gledhill and Ideal Heating are part of the UK operations of Groupe Atlantic, which has a long-standing history of manufacturing heat pumps and is a market leader in many countries across the world in this field. At Blackpool Enterprise Zone, Gledhill hire over 300 members of staff.

The two businesses have been awarded almost £5.2m and have pledged a further investment of over £6.8m to boost heat pump production, taking the total to just over £12m.

It represents a major boost for British manufacturing, as the Government works with leading companies in the UK heating sector to kickstart a homegrown heat pump industry, boost the UK’s energy security and support hundreds of low carbon jobs.

To mark the funding, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Energy Consumers, visited Ideal Heating’s headquarters in Hull and industry-leading National Training and Technology Centre near the Humber Bridge.

The Government funding and the investment by Gledhill and Ideal Heating will enable the production of 120,000 pre-plumbed hot water cylinders annually at the Blackpool site and 115,000 air source heat pumps and indoor controls in Hull every year, both by 2030.

Jason Speedy, Gledhill’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “We’ve been manufacturing market-leading heating products in the UK for almost a century.

“Across the heating industry we’re now seeing a significant transition from gas boilers to sustainable solutions, such as heat pumps. That aligns closely with the UK’s net zero targets.

“This funding is a vote of confidence in our business and our position at the forefront of the industry’s move to low carbon heating solutions.

“It will enable us to accelerate our plans for heat pump production and complements the broader programme of investment across our operations as we lead the industry to a greener, low carbon future.”

The Government funding will support increased investment in infrastructure and equipment at the Blackpool and Hull sites to accelerate the design, development and manufacture of air source heat pumps, pre-plumbed hot water cylinders and associated components.

Gledhill develops and manufactures a wide range of vented and unvented hot water cylinders, including its StainlessLite range, as well as offering market-leading renewable heating solutions, including solar and heat pump cylinders. The company employs more than 300 people nationwide, with its headquarters in Blackpool.

Gledhill Production Director Jo Lilley said: “As a proud UK manufacturer, we’re embracing the technologies which will heat British homes and businesses for decades to come, including renewable solutions such as solar and heat pump cylinders.

“We’re delighted to have been awarded this significant funding which will further enhance our production capabilities at our headquarters site in Blackpool.”

Heating the nation’s 28 million homes accounts for almost a fifth of all UK greenhouse gas emissions. When you factor in commercial properties, that figure jumps up to almost 40 per cent.

Decarbonising the way homes and businesses are heated is therefore vital to achieve the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target.