MP visits Britannia Fire as company expands and launches fire safety initiative

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 [email protected].