Hull MP Dame Diana Johnson has visited Ideal Heating’s UK Technology Centre (UKTC) as development of the industry-leading facility enters its final stages.
The UKTC is a purpose-built centre, at Ideal’s headquarters site in National Avenue, Hull, focused on pioneering low carbon heating technologies.
The £19.2m facility is an integral part of Ideal’s pivot towards heating solutions which will help to decarbonise UK homes and business premises.
It will house more than 100 Ideal specialists, in roles ranging from R&D and product management, to design engineering and software development.
Ahead of the completion of the building’s fit out, Ideal invited Hull North and Cottingham MP Dame Diana Johnson for a tour of the showpiece facility in her constituency.
Dame Diana was shown state-of-the-art facilities, including climatic chambers, where heat pumps are tested in a range of temperatures and conditions, and anechoic chambers, designed to monitor acoustic levels.
Dame Diana, who is also Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “It’s fantastic to see such a significant investment being made right here in Hull. The UKTC is an impressive facility which reflects Ideal’s leading role in the heating industry.
“Ideal is one of Hull’s great business success stories, with a long and proud history of innovation and employment in the city. This R&D centre will not only safeguard jobs in Hull, it will create new opportunities and skills well into the future, and support the transition to clean energy.”
The UKTC is a major statement of intent from Ideal, as the UK boiler market leader invests significantly in heat pumps and other low carbon technologies. It forms part of a £60m investment programme, spanning manufacturing, engineering, logistics, R&D and training.
Ideal’s Chief Operations Officer, Jason Speedy, and Engineering Director Helen Villamuera, welcomed Dame Diana to the Hull site and briefed her on the significance of the UKTC.
Mr Speedy said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dame Diana to our headquarters site in Hull and to give her a tour of the UKTC as the fit out enters its final stages.
“The UKTC represents an important investment for Hull, continuing well over a century of success and growth for Ideal in the city. We’re proud to make a significant further contribution to the local economy – one which support skills development, retention and innovation in our region.
“There’s a real buzz around the business about the building, especially among our product development and R&D teams who are really looking forward to the state-of-the-art facilities and exciting opportunities it offers.”
The UKTC will bring together teams that are currently spread out across Ideal’s National Avenue site, fostering innovation and increased collaboration.