Blackpool cylinders firm to be specialist training centre

Groupe Atlantic, a major player within the European heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector, has committed to making Blackpool’s Gledhill its Centre of Excellence for stainless steel.

The French company said Gledhill had grown considerably since it first began manufacturing copper cylinders in 1926, and had continued to make significant strides within the market throughout the years thanks to its investment in staff and manufacturing facilities.

The company, which was acquired by Groupe Atlantic in 2015, now has a turnover of over £25m and has established itself as one of the most renowned cylinder manufacturers in the UK.

Squires Gate-based Gledhill employs more than 200, with some having more than 40 years’ service. The company encourages progression of its staff through the business and bosses said they were delighted to initiate Groupe Atlantic’s training facility, Ignite, earlier this year.

It will enable Gledhill to continue to support its staff with access to a variety of courses and training.

In 2015, Gledhill expanded its 100,000 square foot manufacturing centre in Blackpool, by an additional 18,000 square foot facility.

This allows the company to produce more than 5,000 cylinders a month, which are distributed to national merchants including City Plumbing Supplies, Plumbase, Travis Perkins and Plumbcentre via its depot infrastructure across the UK.

Chris Gledhill, production director, said: “Groupe Atlantic has provided Gledhill with tremendous opportunities since the acquisition in December 2015 and continues to do so, specifically across Europe, where we are now structuring ourselves to become a world class manufacturer within a worldwide market.

“The acquisition by Groupe Atlantic has proved to be a progressive change for Gledhill and we look forward to the exciting opportunities this continues to bring.”

Groupe Atlantic has invested over £450,000 into Gledhill within the last year alone.