Ideal Heating has welcomed key partners to its UK Technology Centre in Hull to celebrate their vital role in the development of the flagship research and development facility.
The UK Technology Centre (UKTC) is the one of the most significant Investments Ideal has ever made at its headquarters site on National Avenue in Hull.
Designed to accelerate the development of heating solutions, the UKTC represents a step change in Ideal’s research and testing capability, and is home to more than 100 experts in R&D and product development.
To thank partners and suppliers for their support in turning the company’s vision into reality, Ideal invited guests for a special tour of the UKTC.
These included representatives from Humber Freeport, which supported delivery of the UKTC through its seed capital fund, Hull City Council, HBC (Henry Boot Construction), the principal contractor for the facility, and other partners involved in the development and construction phases.
The UKTC features specialist chambers designed to test heating products across a wide range of parameters; from climate and noise to electromagnetic interference.
It puts Ideal at the forefront of R&D in UK heating, advancing product development and takes the company’s testing capability to new heights.
Jason Speedy, Ideal Heating’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “We were delighted to welcome our partners to the UKTC, to show them first-hand how their support has helped to create a facility we’re extremely proud to have delivered in Hull.
“The UKTC is crucial to the future of our business, and the investments we have made in our people, expertise and facilities ensures we have the capability to stay ahead of the curve as the energy transition continues to evolve.
“I’d like to thank all of our partners for their support for the project, and for helping us deliver this facility, securing a significant investment for Hull and a huge vote of confidence in British manufacturing, research and development.”
Senior leaders at Ideal Heating welcomed Humber Freeport’s Chair Finbarr Dowling and CEO Simon Green for the celebratory event, recognising support of £2m of Freeport seed capital funding.
Humber Freeport’s seed capital fund, allocated by the UK Government, has supported developments and investments across the region which are seen as strategically important to drive economic growth, job creation and innovation.
Humber Freeport’s CEO Simon Green, said: “Ideal Heating’s UK Technology Centre perfectly illustrates the developments we wanted to support through our seed capital fund.
“It is a beacon of innovation, both supporting and creating highly-skilled jobs in UK, research and development, product innovation and manufacturing.
“We’re proud to have played a significant part in the development of a facility which positions one of the region’s largest and longest-established businesses for a strong and successful future.”
During a tour of the UKTC, delegates saw inside some of the state-of-the-art testing chambers and spoke to members of Ideal’s R&D and product teams.
State-of-the-art facilities include climatic chambers, which test products in environmental conditions and temperatures from as low as -30 degrees Celsius, up to 50 degrees Celsius, and a hemi-anechoic chamber, which monitors the acoustic performance of heat pumps.
Guests also went inside Ideal’s specialist EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Chamber, which tests products for both the signals they produce, and how they react to interference from other devices in the home.
Hull City Council supported the UKTC development through planning approval, and has worked in partnership with Ideal Heating across a range of projects.
Hull City Council Leader, Cllr Mike Ross, said: “The UK Technology Centre represents a significant investment in Hull, from a business which has made a remarkable contribution to the city for generations.
“Hull has a long and proud history of product innovation and manufacturing excellence, and what Ideal is doing in the city really is helping to shape the future of the UK heating industry.
“It was a pleasure to visit the UKTC, meet members of Ideal’s expert teams, and see first-hand the enormous contribution the UKTC will make to both retaining and creating highly-skilled jobs in the city.”