Freedom Heat Pumps, described as one of the UK's largest dedicated heat pump distributors, has chosen Baxi to forge a new strategic partnership covering distribution of Baxi's heat pump range1. The partnership was announced by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, which published the news on 12 June 2024; Baxi is an Industrial Associate of CIPHE1.
Freedom Heat Pumps was founded in 2010 and has built a reputation for a full range of heat pumps, complementary accessories and cylinders1. In 2022 it became part of Certas Energy, itself part of the FTSE listed DCC Plc Group, which the announcement says gives its customers access to a broad portfolio of lower carbon options to power and heat their home1.
Chris Higgs, Managing Director of Freedom Heat Pumps, said:
"I'm proud to represent a highly regarded British brand like Baxi and we're excited to support Baxi's growth in this increasingly important part of the heating industry."
Baxi's Bamber Bridge factory is less than two miles from Freedom's distribution centre, a proximity the companies expect to support faster delivery times and what the announcement calls seamless integration of Baxi's products into Freedom's distribution channels1. Baxi already makes pre-plumbed cylinders and other internal components required for a heat pump installation at its Lancashire factory1. Rob Pearse, Baxi's Distribution Sales Director, said being neighbours in Bamber Bridge "underscores the efficiency and alignment between our two companies"1.
The announcement also points to a recently launched initiative with Carno, available through Baxi's training programmes, whose digital survey and design tool with automated MCS documentation is said to save 8-10 hours per job1. Baxi is investing in its training capability to grow opportunities for installers to gain heat pump skills1.
| Detail | As reported |
|---|---|
| Distributor | Freedom Heat Pumps, founded 2010 |
| Parent since 2022 | Certas Energy, part of DCC Plc Group |
| Manufacturer | Baxi |
| Distance between sites | Less than two miles, Bamber Bridge, Lancashire |
| Baxi components made at Bamber Bridge | Pre-plumbed cylinders and other internal components for heat pump installation |
Why it matters for households
The practical effect of a distribution deal of this kind is on what is available and how quickly it arrives. Freedom Heat Pumps supplies heat pumps and cylinders to installers rather than directly to householders, so the partnership widens the route by which Baxi heat pumps and the cylinders and internal components made at Bamber Bridge reach the firms that fit them1. The two sites being less than two miles apart is presented as a delivery-time and service point rather than a product change1.
For a household weighing up a heat pump, the relevance is indirect: more distribution capacity for a British-made range, and a design and documentation tool that the announcement says can cut 8-10 hours of work per job, which bears on the survey and paperwork stages of an installation1. Baxi's stated investment in installer training also bears on how many installers can offer its systems1. No prices, product specifications, efficiency figures or household-level incentives are given in the announcement, and none have been reported here.
What happens next
No dates, volumes or commercial terms for the partnership are given in the announcement1. The Carno tool is described as recently launched and available through Baxi's training programmes, with no timetable stated1.
Sources1 cited
- Baxi and Freedom Heat Pumps partnership, ciphe.org.uk