Home Boost Business Lancashire logo

Lancashire heat pumps company on course to treble in size after expansion into new warehouse

Chris Higgs and Aidy Riggott web

A Preston based heat pump distribution company is aiming to continue its expansion following a sustained period of growth and is on course to treble its revenue over a two-year period.

Freedom Heat Pumps, which won this year’s Scaleup Award at the Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs), opened a new 15,000 sq ft warehouse facility in Bamber Bridge last year and has grown its staff numbers from seven to 25 over the past two years. The company supplies customers across the UK with heat pump equipment as well as offering training and support.

It was recently acquired by Warrington-based Certas Energy (part of the DCC Group) as part of their energy transition roadmap. Managing director Chris Higgs says the acquisition represents a strong opportunity for continued growth from its Lancashire base. He said: “Up until the last few years, the company was very much a lifestyle business, but it has been transformed since around 2020.

“We doubled revenue in 2021 and we will be a further 50 per cent up for 2022. We have gone from about seven staff in 2020 to 25 and we’re currently on a further recruitment drive. 11 of the 13 new staff we are looking to appoint will be based in Lancashire.”

The company’s strong recent growth trajectory saw it win the Scaleup Award at BIBAs 2022, which was sponsored by Lancashire County Council’s scaleup support service Two Zero. Two Zero is a business support service for scaleup business leaders in Lancashire.

Led by Lancashire County Council, its mission is to help Lancashire’s scaleup leaders learn, grow their business 20 per cent and create jobs. Freedom Heat Pumps received support last year from Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub through its fully funded Growth Mentoring programme.

Boost mentor David Grant advised Chris on leading the company’s transition from a lifestyle type business into a professional growing organisation and is continuing to support Chris with the firm’s expansion. In addition to its Lancashire base, the company’s operations, finance team and 50 per cent of the technical support team are based in Southampton. Chris said Freedom Heat Pumps was now looking to continue its strong growth trajectory over the coming years through expansion opportunities across the UK.

“The heat pump industry is continuing to grow and there is expected to be 600,000 heat pumps installed annually across the UK by 2028,” he said. “Our recent acquisition gives us stronger avenues into much larger business opportunities and we are well positioned to take advantage of a range of new growth opportunities.”

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Freedom Heat Pumps is a real success story which Lancashire can be proud of.

“The company is growing nationally from its Lancashire base, employing local residents and supplying customers across the UK. I hope Lancashire County Council can continue to support Freedom Heat Pumps through our business support services as the company continues to grow.”

 

Would you like to see your business grow? So would we. To speak to someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.

Share

You may also like...

Have your say on the new strategy to boost the Wyre local economy Poulton   high street shopping
3rd December 2024
 | 
News
Have your say on the new strategy to boost the Wyre local economy
Following an initial consultation in August, Wyre Council is calling out to residents and businesses to take their final chance to influence the Economic Development and Visitor Economy strategy for Wyre over the next ten to 15 years.
Lancashire businesses urged to take advantage of expert funded support to help secure finance Mark Gibbons, lead adviser
11th November 2024
 | 
Finance
Lancashire businesses urged to take advantage of expert funded support to help secure finance
Business owners and entrepreneurs in Lancashire are being urged to make the most of a fully-funded service which gives them access to a team of finance experts to help them become investment-ready, source and secure growth finance.

Sign up to our newsletter

For insights and events to help your business thrive.

In completing this form, you understand that Lancashire County Council (Boost) has a requirement to process your personal data. Lancashire County Council will only ever process your personal data where it has a clear lawful basis for doing so in full compliance with data protection legislation - UK GDPR and The Data Protection Act (2018). We will ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal data at all times. For full details of how Lancashire County Council handles your personal data please see our privacy notice here . Some information relating to this public funded project may be declared to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Funded by local govmt
Department for Trade and Business
Northern Powerhouse
Lancashire County Council

The website uses cookies.

Some are used for statistical purposes and others are set up by third party services. By clicking 'Accept all & close', you accept the use of cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.