Hull-based Groupe Atlantic makes major investment to enhance low carbon heating portfolio

Groupe Atlantic has made a major investment in a leading manufacturer of heat pumps and refrigeration solutions. The company, which owns Hull-based Ideal Heating, has invested in Clade Engineering Systems.

Clade manufactures natural refrigerant CO2 heat pumps and refrigeration solutions across the UK, offering a turnkey solution from design and manufacture through to aftercare. Groupe Atlantic’s UK, Republic of Ireland and North America division is the market leader in commercial and domestic heating across Europe and owns brands including Hamworthy, ACV and Keston, as well as Ideal Heating.

Supported by Groupe Atlantic, Ideal Heating is currently investing £60m at its National Avenue headquarters in Hull to increase manufacturing and distribution capacity to accommodate heat pump production and warehousing.

Ideal Heating is one of the city’s biggest employers, with 800 employees based at the National Avenue site. It is also investing in a new National Training & Technology Centre at Bridgehead business park in East Yorkshire, with a focus on low-carbon heating and upskilling thousands of boiler installers across the UK to supply and install heat pumps.

Groupe Atlantic’s new partnership with Clade reinforces its strategy to be at the forefront of low carbon heating solutions. Founded in 1985 as a refrigeration services company, Clade has since expanded into manufacturing refrigerant appliances and CO2 heat pump technologies.

Its range of energy-efficient heat pumps can generate from 50KW to up to 1MW, offering extensive choice for customers in the retail, commercial, industrial and public sectors. With its expertise in natural refrigerant technology and heat pumps, Clade will upscale Groupe Atlantic’s commercial offering, providing customers with even more choice on an industrial scale.

Shaun Edwards, CEO for Groupe Atlantic, UK, Republic of Ireland and North America, said: “As part of our strategy and commitment to offer the most advanced technologies for all our customers, we are delighted to be investing in Clade.

“By strengthening our expertise and portfolio in CO2 heat pumps, Groupe Atlantic will be able to give its commercial customers even more choice when it comes to paving the way for a sustainable and greener future.”

Groupe Atlantic’s investment in Clade will ultimately expand both businesses’ offerings and customer reach across the UK, not only in CO2 heat pump technology, but also with other green energy solutions.

Darren Finley, managing director of commercial products for Groupe Atlantic, UK and Republic of Ireland Division, said: “Clade is a market leader in natural refrigerant CO2 heat pumps and this investment enriches the range we can offer to our customers, providing the strongest offering to the UK market.

“Designed in the UK specifically for the UK market, their use of CO2 refrigerants and R290 propane aligns with our strategy of decarbonising our heating solutions and helping customers with their path to net zero.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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