Britannia Fire has welcomed Ben Goldsborough MP to its headquarters in Ashwellthorpe to celebrate the opening of a brand-new administration centre and to announce the company’s new fire safety training initiative for local businesses.
As one of the largest employers in Norfolk, Britannia Fire continues to expand as demand for its lightweight, composite P50 fire extinguishers accelerates, driven not only by increased sales in the UK, but also by successful expansion into European and Middle Eastern markets. Its new state-of-the-art 350m2 administration centre has been designed and constructed to achieve a Grade A energy efficiency rating, reflecting the importance of sustainability to the business, and provides office space, meeting rooms and staff amenities for its 56 employees.
As part of its commitment to supporting the local business community, Britannia Fire is launching a dedicated fire safety training initiative designed to help organisations better understand their legal responsibilities and improve workplace fire safety. The initiative will provide practical, easy-to-understand guidance on fire extinguisher selection, placement, inspection and maintenance, ensuring businesses have the appropriate equipment to protect their premises and people. It will also help organisations prepare for the imminent PFAS ban which will see them having to phase out PFAS-containing fire extinguishers completely.
Only last year, Britannia invested more than £1m in the refurbishment of its factory which involved a total reconfiguration of its layout and the installation of new machinery to increase P50 production by 150% and significantly reduce lead times. It also made a substantial investment in solar energy generation, to help reduce its environmental impact while supporting long-term operational resilience.
Traditional, steel fire extinguishers are prone to corrosion and must be serviced annually to ensure they remain fit for purpose. In contrast, Britannia’s P50 composite extinguishers last 20 years and only need professional servicing every decade, saving customers considerable time and money. Free from PFAS chemicals and easily recyclable, they are better for the environment. They are also multi-purpose and can be used on Class A, B and electrical fires, reducing the number of extinguishers needed in each location and eliminating confusion during emergencies.
Recent product launches have contributed to Britannia Fire’s continued growth, including the P50 AVD for lithium-ion battery fires, PVSTOP a light-blocking coating that safely shuts down solar panels during emergencies, and the P50 Monnex for high-risk industrial facilities. These innovations are expanding the company’s product offering, supporting growth in new markets, and reinforcing its position as a leader in fire safety innovation.
Andy Spence is Managing Director at Britannia Fire and the driving force behind the company’s expansion. He said:
“Our innovative P50 fire extinguisher has taken the market by storm and continues to drive strong year-on-year revenue growth, enabling us to invest in the future of Britannia Fire and the local economy. That growth has seen us create new jobs, expand our operations, and launch our new fire safety training initiative that directly benefits businesses in our community.
“We are committed to sustainable, long-term growth and as the fire safety industry prepares for the transition away from PFAS-containing fire extinguishers, we want to ensure local businesses have access to clear, practical advice to help them understand the changing regulatory landscape and plan with confidence. Through our training programme and our continued investment in innovative, environmentally responsible solutions, we’re helping customers stay compliant while making the transition as straightforward as possible.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of Britannia Fire, and we’re proud that our success is creating opportunities for our employees, supporting the wider local economy, and enabling us to raise standards of fire safety for businesses across the region.”
Ben Goldsborough MP for South Norfolk said:
“It was fantastic to visit Britannia Fire and see first-hand how a South Norfolk business is leading the way in innovation, sustainability and manufacturing. Companies like Britannia Fire are exactly why our area has such a strong reputation for engineering excellence, creating skilled local jobs while exporting British-made products around the world.
“I was particularly pleased to hear about the launch of their new fire safety training initiative, which will help local businesses understand their responsibilities and prepare for future changes such as the move away from PFAS-containing fire extinguishers. Supporting businesses to stay safe, reduce costs and become more sustainable is a win for everyone.
“Seeing Britannia Fire continue to invest in its workforce, facilities and new technologies is a real vote of confidence in South Norfolk. I’ll continue championing businesses like this in Parliament and working to ensure they have the support they need to keep growing, innovating and creating good local jobs.”
For more information about Britannia Fire visit: www.britannia-fire.co.uk or email sales@britannia-fire.co.uk.
