Hull-based Ideal Heating has been presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise, recognising the manufacturer as one of Britain’s very best businesses.
The King’s Award has been bestowed on the UK market leader in the Innovation category – the fourth time Ideal has received Britain’s most prestigious business honour.
It recognises the huge investment Ideal has made in transforming the business and in leading the heating industry’s transition to low carbon solutions.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jim Dick OBE, visited Ideal’s headquarters site in National Avenue, Hull, to present the award. He paid tribute to the company’s contribution to both the heating industry and the city which has been home to the business for 120 years.
The King’s Award recognises Ideal Heating’s comprehensive investment in research and development, manufacturing, logistics, installer training, and customer service and support.
Ideal has invested £60m in new manufacturing, distribution and R&D facilities at the Hull site. The jewel in the crown is the £20m UK Technology Centre, which gives Ideal world-class capability to develop, test and innovate the next generation of heating products.
Ideal’s continuing commitment to innovation also includes the development and delivery of an end-to-end heat pump package which is reshaping how the UK adopts low carbon heating technology.
During a special ceremony, the Lord-Lieutenant congratulated Ideal on its long and proud history in Hull, before Deputy Lieutenant Deb Oxley OBE read the Grant of Appointment which formally recognises the company as one of the UK’s leading businesses.
The Lord-Lieutenant said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be here today. Ideal is one of Hull’s proud, long-standing companies. It is wonderful to have such a successful and forward-looking business here in the city.
“There are many awards that a business can win, but the King’s Award is the only one that is given by the Monarch. To have received four Queen’s and King’s Awards in recent times is a fantastic achievement.
“This accolade recognises the hugely important contribution Ideal makes to the UK heating industry and the extraordinary innovation that can be seen right across the business.”
CEO Adam Foy thanked Ideal colleagues for their contribution to receiving the accolade, before Chief Financial Officer Steve Hairsine accepted the Grant of Appointment scroll and Training and Design Services Director Andrew Johnson was presented with The King’s Award trophy.
Adam Foy said: “We’re very proud to receive The King’s Award for Enterprise, especially in the Innovation category.
“It’s a recognition of the ambition of the business and the huge investment we are continuing to make to shape the future of heating, building on our more than 100 years of heritage, experience and expertise.
“The award recognises our commitment to UK R&D and manufacturing and to leading the successful transformation of the heating industry.”
Ideal is now the proud holder of The King’s Award for five years, meaning the business can fly a ceremonial flag at its premises and display the emblem on all its branding and marketing materials.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise has honoured more than 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965. Winners pass a robust assessment process, with recipients recommended by the Prime Minister and approved by His Majesty the King.
Ideal is part of Groupe Atlantic UK and Republic of Ireland, which employs around 1,500 people in the UK, including 800 based at the Hull site where Ideal was originally founded in 1906 as The National Radiator Company.
The latest honour follows Ideal winning the award on three previous occasions, in 2013 and twice in 2019, when it was The Queen’s Award.
Chief Financial Officer Steve Hairsine said: “In almost 25 years at Ideal Heating, I’ve seen the business receive four Queen’s and King’s Awards. Each time, it has felt incredibly special.
“The pride in receiving this royal honour is felt by our people throughout the business. It recognises the journey we’re on and the exciting progress we’re continuing to make as our industry evolves.”