The family run business was an early adopter of renewable technology leading to the development of a number of UK firsts.
In 1974 they designed and built an innovative ventilation system for Walkers Crisps using heat pumps to provide warm, dry recirculated air to potato stores. This allowed Walkers to purchase potatoes when supplies were plentiful and store them for longer, allowing cost-efficiencies.
Another first was in 2014 when they designed and installed the UK’s first Tidal Water Source Heat Pump in open sea for the National Trust at Plas Newydd, Anglesey.
Working with TATA Steel they helped develop the first Transpired Solar Collectors in the UK, a passive renewable technology developed in Canada which uses the sun to pre-heat air for ventilation systems.
The family run business has continued to expand, now employing over 80 staff who work with businesses across the region that are looking to heat and ventilate buildings in as sustainably as possible.
Richard Kimpton, managing director said: “Fostering a culture which encourages staff to continually look at ways to improve the service and solutions we offer has been something we have encouraged from day one. And, as we reflect on six decades in business, our staff and culture is one of our most valuable selling points. A huge thank you to our team and customers alike for all their support and hard work, as we look forward to another 60 years of sustainable innovation.”
During its 60th year, Liverpool City Region based Kimpton continues to work on many exciting decarbonisation projects across the region and are currently exploring the use of Transpired Solar Collectors on the M&S Bank Arena for ACC Liverpool Group, the venue hosting Eurovision 2023.
Like the business itself, the projects they work on now have grown significantly from the then “state of the art” domestic central heating systems they began installing in the early 1960’s. Recently, they have been awarded over £20m of multi-million pound M&E contracts all over the UK including Maker’s Yard, a 551 apartment Build to Rent scheme in Birmingham, Leeds Technology Campus, a 514 bedroom purpose build student accommodation scheme, and Conington Road, a 38 storey, 312 apartment Build to Rent scheme in Lewisham, South London. All these projects use heat pump technology instead of gas boilers.
Innovation continues to be the primary focus of their culture as Kimpton strive to help businesses achieve sustainability and decarbonisation goals as well as develop efficient and reliable mechanical and electrical installations which will stand the test of time.