British manufacturer Numatic International is marking National Manufacturing Day by highlighting more than £85m of investment that’s enabling the Somerset business to expand production, develop new products and accelerate its transition towards lower-carbon manufacturing.
The investment in the Chard manufacturing hub includes its ongoing 24,500 sq m expansion, which incorporates its newly opened Research & Development Centre of Excellence, a state-of-the-art 8,000-pallet global distribution centre due to be completed in spring 2027, and significant investment in self-generated renewable energy.
The business, which employs 1,200 people and has an annual turnover of £260m, exports its products to more than 100 countries worldwide.
We have always believed that staying competitive means continuing to invest in our people, our facilities and our ability to develop world-leading products here in Somerset. That’s why we are investing £85m across the business.
Simon Lawson, Managing Director, Numatic International
Part of its multi-million-pound investment includes the installation of a new 2,672-panel solar array at the Chard site, capable of generating up to 30% of the manufacturing site’s electricity requirements. Generating enough electricity to manufacture the equivalent of 500,000 Henry vacuum cleaners from the power of the sun each year, the array provides both energy security and dramatically reduced energy costs.
Taking this to the next level, Numatic is investing in additional rooftop solar generation, which will play a pivotal part in its plans to generate 50% of the factory’s electricity requirements from solar by 2030.
An industry leader in the use of recycled plastic, Numatic designs durability and repairability into all its products to extend product life and reduce waste. As part of its SBTi-verified carbon reduction plan, Numatic aims to reach net zero by 2050.
45 years of Henry
The investment in the business comes as Numatic celebrates the 45th anniversary of Henry, one of Britain’s best-known manufactured products.
Designed, engineered and made in the UK, Henry is the UK’s best-selling domestic vacuum by volume, with over one million Henrys made every year, and one in four households owning the friendly face of cleaning. Since launch in 1981, more than 20 million Henrys have been produced.
Celebrating National Manufacturing Day
To mark National Manufacturing Day on Thursday 24 September, Numatic is launching a limited-edition Henry celebrating both the 45th anniversary and the 130th anniversary of Make UK, the trade body for British manufacturers and engineering companies.
Just 1,000 of the special-edition machines are being produced. Designed to draw attention to the brilliance of British manufacturing, the limited-edition National Manufacturing Day vacuum will see Henry’s happy face accompanied by an automated arm neatly placing a ‘y’ into Henry’s name. It will also feature a black-and-white Union Jack surrounded by the words ‘Made in the UK’ sitting prominently on his bowler hat.
The limited-edition Henry will be available from 24 September, costing £129.99 through www.myhenry.com.
Simon Lawson, Managing Director of Numatic International, said: “Henry has become an iconic British product, but the story behind him is one of investment, innovation and a long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK.
“We have always believed that staying competitive means continuing to invest in our people, our facilities and our ability to develop world-leading products here in Somerset. That’s why we are investing £85m across the business, ranging from research and development and manufacturing capacity to renewable energy and global distribution.
“National Manufacturing Day gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate not just the products that are made here, but the people, skills and investment behind them.”
Fiona McGarry, Region Director South of England at Make UK, said: “National Manufacturing Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the strength and diversity of British manufacturing and give people a first-hand look at the skills, innovation and craftsmanship behind the products they know and see in their everyday lives.
“Numatic International is a fantastic example of this, welcoming more than 270 visitors to its Somerset factory on National Manufacturing Day. The launch of a special limited-edition Henry, marking 45 years of an iconic British product alongside 130 years of Make UK, is a fitting way to celebrate the enduring strength of manufacturing in the UK and the people behind it.”
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