26 March 2025
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Working with and listening to manufacturers investing in low carbon technology advancements is essential in helping achieve the country’s decarbonisation targets.
To see this in action, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband visited Vaillant’s new, multi-million-pound manufacturing plant producing its high recovery, hot water cylinders. A vital component for effective and efficient heat pump installation, this substantial investment further demonstrates the company’s commitment to the innovation and progression of low carbon home heating systems and generating ongoing employment opportunities in the sector.
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.
The 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. These cylinders have been developed alongside Vaillant’s installer customers, using their feedback in the design stages and have been tested out in the field, to ensure ease of installation.
The purpose-built facility could see around 200 jobs created for the area in the coming years as the heat pump market continues to grow. 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 exciting new roles have also been created for those wanting to upskill and join the industry.
Heat pump demand is surging with applications in January for the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme – which offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump – up 79% on the same month in 2024.
This comes after the government almost doubled the budget for the scheme to £295 million for the next financial year as part of the Warm Homes Plan, which will help up to 300,000 families find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver cleaner heat to warmer, comfortable homes.
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.
Talking about the visit, the Energy Secretary 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.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “People in the East Midlands expect that investment into clean heat and power should also translate into good jobs and the opportunities those jobs bring. The new Vaillant UK facility in Derby is a perfect example of this – creating 200 new jobs and supporting apprentices from Derby College to learn and grow in confidence as they work. Derby City Council and Marketing Derby worked hard to make the case, and it has paid off.
“We know that our people have the skills and motivation to manufacture these critical components, and Vaillant UK’s investment is a further mark of confidence in our region, adding to its heat pump manufacturing facility in Belper. We will have so much work to do to upgrade homes across the region and the country, and I am proud that our region will now play a greater part in that work.”
Joe Dunn, Plant Director at Vaillant Group UK, comments: “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.”
The manufacturing plant in Derby spans 12,200m2 and includes manufacturing and warehousing space. It has been designed to incorporate sustainable features to ensure it is efficient to run in line with BREEAM Sustainable Building Certifications, including rainwater harvesting, heat pump technology and energy efficient lighting.
The new uniSTOR high recovery cylinders will be available from April 2025.
