Wolseley opens first Renewables Centre

Plumbers merchant group Wolseley has opened the first of its new Renewables Centres, which will serve as regional hubs, offering products, expertise, MCS-certified system design, technical support, accredited training and business guidance, helping Wolseley’s installer customer base to make the most of the fast-growing renewables market.

The first flagship hub opened in Shrewsbury on Thursday May 22 with a Discovery Day, showcasing the Centre’s offering to installers, press, industry leaders, VIP’s and suppliers from across the UK. A second Renewables Centre is opening in Swansea later in the Summer.

John Hancock, COO of Wolseley Group, cut the ribbon to officially open the centre and said: “A huge thank you to everyone for attending today’s event here in Shrewsbury, it has been a fantastic opportunity to bring installers, suppliers, and press all together to open our first flagship Renewables Centre. There is a demand for installers to really start ramping up installations of heat pumps over the coming years, here’s a huge ambition from the government and from the country to do this and I think we can play a key part in that and as a business be really proud that today as a start to really drive that change.”

The first two locations were chosen to take advantage of available space, but also their easy access to the renewables markets in both England and Wales. The booming renewables market in Wales in particular has been boosted by the Welsh Government’s commitment to net zero.

Hancock said: “The market is at a point where demand for renewables is going to surge, and we need to be in a position to give our installer customers – current and those coming into the sector – access to the right training, products, and technical support to take full advantage of this shift.”

Training courses are delivered in partnership with NAPIT, providing national accreditation and hands-on practical experience. The initiative is supported by Renewable Equipment Solutions (R.E.S), a Wolseley Group acquisition, providing additional expertise in technical design, commissioning, and access to government grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The government training grant is in place for England, but Renewables Centre are covering the cost of the training for Wales and Scotland.

Renewables director Dan Marsden said: “It’s important that our customers see that we are serious about this sector, and that we want them to succeed in it, so it makes sense that we fund the training in areas where there isn’t the government grant available.”

Installers using Renewables Centre can expect:
• Accredited training and certification
• MCS-compliant system design and technical support
• Fast access to high-performance renewable products
• Practical help with installation and commissioning
• Support through DNO approvals and BUS grant applications
• Ongoing business support and loyalty rewards