Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has visited Vaillant’s new manufacturing plant, which produces its high recovery hot water cylinders.
The tour began with the Energy Secretary viewing the company’s new £40m dedicated facility located in Derby. Not far from its existing Belper headquarters where it manufacturers its heat pumps and boilers, the new facility will now produce its latest uniSTOR high recovery slimline cylinder models.
Vaillant said its uniSTOR high recovery cylinders, which will be coming off the new line in Derby, have been specially developed to meet the needs of UK consumers for low carbon, low temperature heating systems, as well as traditional boiler systems. They maximise the heat energy created by a heat pump system and are also available in a variety of sizes and offer a flexible range of installation options, it added.
The purpose-built facility is to create around 200 jobs created for the area in the coming years as the heat pump market continues to grow, the company said. Some of the current employees have moved from the Belper manufacturing plant to leverage the existing quality culture and skills in place across the business, and new roles have also been created for those wanting to upskill and join the industry.
The Energy Secretary also spoke with apprentices new to the industry and based at the manufacturing plant who are either college based or joining Vaillant from the betterWeld organisation, which helps train and place those out of work who would like to learn more and progress in the manufacturing industry.
The opening of Vaillant’s new cylinder plant will also be officially marked by visits from key figures from the local area, including those who have been involved in the development of the cylinder and plant.
Ed Miliband said: “The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. This government intends to seize the chance for Britain to lead.
“What this new Vaillant plant shows is the different economic opportunities we can get from becoming a clean energy superpower.
“By building heat pumps in Britain and continuing their roll out, we can not only ensure people have warmer, lower carbon homes but support jobs like these in Derby.”
Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant Group, UK and Ireland, added: “This investment in a purpose-built cylinder plant marks an exciting move for Vaillant as we continue to lead the transition to decarbonised homes. The move to heat pumps in the UK requires commitment from manufacturers to invest in the UK infrastructure, build consumer confidence in the technology and generate additional jobs in the sector.
“By investing in the production of advanced, energy-efficient hot water cylinders, we’re providing the UK market with a full heat pump system solution to support the overall development of the UK supply chain, ensuring products are designed and manufactured to meet the needs of the country’s housing stock.
“With a heritage in the Derbyshire region which dates back to 1934, we are proud to be part of a region which has a wealth of manufacturing innovation and expertise across a wide range of industries. This new investment, which includes grant support from Derby City Council, continues to secure Derbyshire’s place as an engineering hub.”