Heating giant’s Derby manufacturing facility hosts Royal visit

Vaillant Group UK (BH) has hosted a visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at its recently opened £40 million manufacturing facility in Derby.

Earlier this week, Her Royal Highness paid a visit to the heating giant’s facility at Indurent Park Derby, which produces high recovery hot water cylinder models developed to meet the needs of UK consumers for low carbon, low temperature heating systems, as well as traditional boiler systems.

Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant Group UK and Ireland, and Joe Dunn, plant director at Vaillant Group UK, along with representatives of Vaillant Group UK’s senior leadership team.

They were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Ajit Atwal, as well as key local community partners who work closely with Vaillant, including Marketing Derby, Derby Museums, Derby College Group, YMCA Derbyshire, Morley Hayes and Upbeat Clean.

Henrik said: “It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to our manufacturing site.

“She was able to view the innovating manufacturing process we have developed to support the growth of low carbon home heating systems.

“We are very proud of the contribution we are making to help customers transition to cleaner energy use through our technology and manufacturing excellence based in the East Midlands.”

The visit saw a guided tour of the purpose built 12,200 sq metre facility and a presentation outlining the key manufacturing stages behind the production of the cylinder range.

The tour gave the opportunity for Her Royal Highness to meet some of the apprentices undertaking a range of apprenticeships with Vaillant Group UK, ranging across welding and engineering.

The tour concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the site to mark the occasion.

Henrik added: “At Vaillant Group UK, we believe in making a positive impact in the communities where we operate.

“We partner with local charities and commercial organisations that share our values and commitment to supporting people, opportunity, and wellbeing.

“I am delighted that some of our local partners were able to attend this visit to share in this special occasion.”

Joe Dunn said: “It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to our innovative new manufacturing facility based in Derby.

“The creation of our new manufacturing plant marked Vaillant’s 150th anniversary in the industry, and it was a pleasure for the team to have the opportunity to showcase the work undertaken to create the new facility.

“It was a memorable occasion where the team could talk to Her Royal Highness about their processes and roles, along with the important role they all play in the transition of the heating industry.

“The launch of the new facility has brought increased employment to the local area, as well as creating opportunities for young people to learn vital new skills with the valuable apprenticeships that we offer.”