Senior staff from the Swedish parent company of ESBE Ltd recently joined the hydronics specialist’s leading UK stockists and installers to mark the official opening of its striking new headquarters, located in Lancashire’s industrial heartland at Rossendale.
ESBE Ltd’s newly appointed MD, Darren Myers and Technical Manager, Nigel Raper (see below) welcomed ESBE AB’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Cerny (pictured above) along with Jorgen Thelin, the manufacturer’s Sales Director.
Darren expressed the positive implications for the company’s new status within the Europe wide group saying: “We have been around in the UK for many years, but with the official opening of the new subsidiary and headquarters in Rossendale we celebrate an exciting new journey.”
Reflecting on the time and effort which has been invested in helping establish ESBE in the UK, Peter Cerny, CEO concurred adding: “It’s been a long journey, but the result is fantastic. I am so proud of all that has been accomplished by Darren and the team around him.”
Looking at the way the UK market is evolving and opportunities it presents, Darren stated: “The big objective I have had over the past couple of years has been to increase specifiers and installers’ knowledge to ensure the right product is being put into the different situations. This particularly applies to the heat pump market where you need a full flow valve, which is why we work with the top distributors to get the message out, and why we’ve done a massive amount on social media.
“We see this being fully reflected in the use of renewables for housebuilding – as well as the schools and other community buildings needed alongside new towns and villages: which creates new opportunities for us.”
The new facilities, which are easily accessible from the motorway network around Manchester, will offer an important new resource for distributors and renewables specialists from across the country. Furthermore, key product areas ESBE will be targeting during the coming year are VRGs to support the heat pump market, linear and control valves for commercial applications, circulation units to reduce labour and also consistently supporting the OEMs which the company and its distributors deal with.
Finally, the official part of the opening day event ended when Darren was presented with a novel trophy by the Swedish contingent which consisted of an ESBE brass valve, mounted on a polished wooden base and carries the signatures of the half dozen ESBE AB staff who made the journey over from the factory and offices in Reftele. The group also has main sales offices in France, Germany, Italy and Poland.
Visit esbe.eu/group for further information on ESBE’s product range and services, including the support of ESBE’s technical advisory service and to view the manufacturer’s helpful and instructional videos.
New ESBE Technical Manager brings “wealth of sector experience”
With a degree in mechanical engineering and more than 20 years’ experience of product development for the UK’s plumbing and heating sector, ESBE’s recently appointed Technical Manager, Nigel Raper, is well qualified to help steer the Swedish based manufacturer’s quest to build on its reputation for high quality, innovation and outstanding customer service.
Nigel, 50, graduated from Newcastle University in 1996 and went to work with the generically renowned Yorkshire Fittings where he helped develop various product ranges including compression rings and pipe couplings, as well as copper and brass fittings for the American market and even push-fit fittings for the European market. After the business was amalgamated to form Pegler Yorkshire, Nigel continued working on progressively more complex projects, like developing static and dynamic balancing valves, while also putting together tender documents to bid for major valve contracts.
“In particular, the Government’s focus on increasing uptake of heat pumps and solar thermal systems presents a huge opportunity for ESBE because of our already mature range of relevant products.”
Nigel reflected: “After 20 years of working on new product development, and five years in Technical Sales after Pegler was taken over by Alberts IPS, I am both ready for and excited about the broader challenges presented by my role at ESBE, where I have been tasked with not only dealing with customers’ technical enquiries and maintaining the viability of the existing range, but also giving feedback to the Swedish Headquarters on any UK specific products which require development or customisation.
“In particular, the Government’s focus on increasing uptake of heat pumps and solar thermal systems presents a huge opportunity for ESBE because of our already mature range of relevant products. I have also been over to the Swedish factory twice where I was very impressed by aspects such as the cleanliness and the quality of the products and I’ve also been delighted how warm the welcome has been from both Darren – who I knew from when we both worked for Pegler – and from the Swedes, who have spent a lot of time on my induction.”
Married with a 10 year old daughter who loves gymnastics and a son of 14 who has just taken up flying with the ambition of working as a commercial airline pilot, Nigel is also kept busy at weekends by family life, but still finds time to stay fit by playing golf and training with his local cycling club, taking part in road races and time trials.
