Solar UK, leading designer, manufacturer, supplier and installer of solar water heating systems to the commercial and domestic market, has received a £360,000 funding package to develop their latest Head Office premises in Battle, East Sussex. The NatWest team in Tunbridge Wells supported this project, via the European Investment Bank (EIB) Loan supporting the recycled carbon neutral new build.
Joint Directors, Geoff Fox and Duncan Lee established themselves over twenty years ago in Eridge, with a further site in East Sussex. Originally starting out in the renewable energy sector, the company has expanded their service offering over the years growing the supply and installation side of the business so they could better serve the growing number of customers wishing to install LaZer2 solar water heating systems. Solar UK have typically supplied systems for home owners, swimming pool owners, housing developers, housing associations, hospitals, schools, offices, factories and hotel chains. With the demand for this type of alternative heating increasing, Solar UK needed to consolidate their two existing locations under one roof at Battle, East Sussex as a demand for space was critical. Spanning over 20,000 sq ft, their latest premises includes a unique 17 sided carbon neutral building that will act as both a production, R&D facility, and head office for their 35 employees. The materials used for this project have been carefully sourced to ensure minimal impact on both the environment and on the new build costs.
As a new customer to NatWest, Padraig Connellan from the Jelf Group introduced Geoff and Duncan to Alex Lindsey from the NatWest Tunbridge Wells team. Alex quickly took on board Solar UK’s business aspirations and worked up a deal structure that would provide financial benefit over a long-term period. Alex provided £360,000 of funding facilities, via the EIB scheme, which provides discounted rates to SME’s. The funding is complete and the company intend on operating from their new premises in early 2010.
Geoff Fox, Co-Director of Solar UK commented: "When any new business enters the market, as Solar UK did in 1989, it is essential that they have something different to offer in order to become successful. From the beginning we decided that we would aim to be the best for renewable energy, supply and installation and research and development. We believe we have achieved those ambitions and with a continuous improvement initiative we are always striving to be better. With the expansion of our new premises this will allow us to meet the demands we are experiencing and are grateful to NatWest for supporting us throughout."
Alex Lindsey, Relationship Manager at NatWest in Tunbridge Wells added: “The Solar UK management team has instilled me with confidence since our initial meeting and I am grateful for Jelf Group’s introduction. During their twenty year growth period, they have successfully built on their brand, portfolio of commercial and domestic customers and shared a passion for renewable energy. The building itself is so far very impressive and I am pleased I could provide the correct financial support to allow this to happen.”
