Multi-million pound low carbon heating plant opens in Derby

Vaillant has opened its new £40 million manufacturing plant for heat pump cylinders in Derby, creating 200 jobs.

The new plant, at Indurent Park Derby, will produce high recovery hot water cylinders which are crucial in enabling efficient low carbon heating pumps to be installed in homes.

Visiting the new plant last week, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “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.

“This new facility is a credit to Derby and the region and Vaillant has shown leadership in setting it up and creating 200 jobs for the area.”

The new manufacturing plant in Derby spans 12,200 sq m and includes manufacturing and warehousing space. It has been designed to incorporate sustainable features including rainwater harvesting, heat pump technology and energy efficient lighting.

The new uniSTOR high recovery cylinders will be coming off the new line from next month.

Air source heat pumps operate by extracting heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors for heating, or reverse the process for cooling, and is cheaper to install than a ground source pump.

Around 200 jobs could be created for the area in the coming years as the heat pump market continues to grow.

Joe Dunn, plant director at Vaillant Group UK, said: “We’re proud to be able to develop our manufacturing bases in Derbyshire, where our heritage lies, and continue to offer employment opportunities for local people from the area.

“For Vaillant as a heating supplier, it is a natural progression. We were the first boiler manufacturer to open a UK heat pump plant back in 2022. Since then, our team has grown, developed and increased in capacity to continue to support the low carbon heating demand.”

Marketing Derby, the city’s inward investment agency, supported Vaillant with its move into Derby, alongside Derby City Council and East Midlands Chamber.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby said: “This investment makes a valuable contribution to the city’s diversified economy. We first met with the Vaillant team three years ago – together with the Chamber and City Council – and they have been an absolute pleasure to work with.

“They are a very well-run company, HQ’d in Germany with substantial local roots and fantastic products bringing innovation into the net zero challenge. They are now a welcome member of Team Derby, keen to partner locally and have impact beyond their core business.”

Vaillant has already built a strategic partnership with Derby College Group to help provide the skills needed to support the decarbonisation of heat. You can read more about this here.