HERZ in the United Kingdom
Half a century of full confidence

HERZ has been operating in the United Kingdom for five decades. Formerly known as Ellis Miller Ltd, it became part of the HERZ Group during its expansion in Europe. Since then, HERZ Valves UK has evolved from a specialist in radiator valves to one of the market-leading suppliers of heating and control products in building services engineering – primarily for commercial and residential buildings.

When you think of Great Britain, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the monarchy. The royal family is not only a symbol of national identity, but also a living tradition. Unlike many other European countries such as Germany and France, the monarchy in the United Kingdom was never completely replaced by a republic. The power of the monarch has been limited by Parliament over the centuries, which was formalised in 1689 with the Bill of Rights.

Although the monarchy is now constitutional in nature, it continues to have an enormous cultural impact: palaces, ceremonies, royal gardens – they shape the image of a country that cherishes its history as much as its modern self-image. In addition, the monarchy is seen as an important economic factor in the United Kingdom, as it boosts tourism and attracts many visitors to the country.

British beer culture

British beer is not just a drink, but a cultural link. For centuries, ales and bitters have been part of British social life. Ale is known for its traditional, often dark and only slightly carbonated style, which is served warm or at room temperature. A pub in the United Kingdom is therefore not just a bar, but a meeting place, a living room, sometimes even a small stage for everyday life. One of the best-known varieties is Newcastle Brown Ale, a strong, malty beer that has been synonymous with the typical taste of the north since 1927.

Brexit – and its effects

With the end of the transition period, the United Kingdom officially ceased to be part of the EU single market and customs union since 1st January 2021. Reasons cited for Brexit included criticism of mass immigration, high EU contributions and perceived excessive bureaucracy but its practical effects have been far-reaching for both people and businesses. “Public opinion is divided: Many blame both the UK government and the EU (Brussels) for the ongoing issues, while the public is increasingly determined not to be messed around. The government, however, appears to ignore this and is seeking to re-join the EU through alternative means” reports Darren Hall, Operating Managing Director of HERZ Valves UK, directly from the United Kingdom.

Delivery times – more important than ever

The introduction of new customs checks, import declarations and rules-of-origin requirements immediately created longer lead times for materials and components. These changes added complexity, cost and unpredictability across the industry. Many European manufacturers faced delays at ports, additional documentation demands and increased administrative costs that ultimately influenced project timelines. Particularly challenging were the frequently changing French customs regulations, which significantly complicated imports and onward shipments from the United Kingdom. „We at HERZ were able to mitigate this situation through close cooperation with the Austrian headquarters and stronger inventory planning, but the new environment required rapid adaptation” says Darren Hall.

Adapting to the new normal

Brexit did not just reshape logistics, it also reshaped the UK market itself. Contractors, consultants and building operators have had to adjust to fluctuating prices, staffing challenges in technical roles, and a more cautious approach to procurement. For the wider public, Brexit prompted economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure, and a renewed focus on domestic energy security. As a result, the heating industry has increasingly prioritised:

• UK-ready certification and compliance
• Guaranteed availability of stock
• Locally supported product training and maintenance

Supply-chain resilience as a key element of project risk management

A key step was the relocation from its former site in Guildford to Peterborough. The new, centrally located facility not only provides significantly more storage space, but also benefits from stronger transport links. Another factor in choosing Peterborough as a location was the low operating costs, which enable HERZ to offer its products at competitive prices, thus creating a clear advantage for customers. „Peterborough enables us to provide faster national coverage and significantly improves the availability of our products. This also allows us to ensure consistent prices“, says Neil Gatland, Sales Manager at HERZ Valves UK. The company has also implemented a new computer system that enables customers to access stock levels, account information, create quotations and place orders in real time.

Local product adaptations: British certification systems

Many products in the United Kingdom must meet specific national testing and certification requirements – such as Regulation 4 or the BESA HIU performance test for hydraulic interface units, which is mandatory for the HNTAS (Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme). To meet these requirements, HERZ has developed its own hydraulic interface unit (HIU) range, currently undergoing testing in accordance with the latest BESA and HNTAS guidelines. In addition, HERZ offers tailor-made HIUs for large heating networks that are precisely matched to project-specific performance and system needs. This combination of proven quality and bespoke solutions gives HERZ Valves UK a competitive advantage in one of Europe‘s most demanding markets.

Quality without compromise

„Our focus in the UK is on delivering engineering quality from the boiler house to the end point“, explains Sales Manager Neil Gatland. The United Kingdom is a highly price-driven market where contractors often make decisions under tight cost pressure. „For HERZ, this means balancing competitiveness with uncompromising quality and ensuring that specification integrity and system performance are never sacrificed for a lower price“, says Darren Hall, emphasising the standards of HERZ Valves UK.

HERZ references

For the award-winning residential project PRS Interchange in Central Square, Cardiff, HERZ Valves UK supplied a comprehensive range of products. At the heart of the solution were the Guildford hydraulic interface units, which stand out for their simplified maintenance, predictable long-term performance and low life-cycle costs. The solution was complemented by differential pressure controllers and presettable thermostatic radiator valves.

For the Britannia Leisure Centre in London, HERZ delivered a customised, compact district heating interface unit with a capacity of 1.5 MW. The unit provides energy- and cost-efficient heating for the newly built, state-of-the-art leisure centre and was developed in close collaboration with the project partners to meet the specific requirements of the new facility.

HERZ DE LUXE for the Royals

The HERZ DE LUXE range offers 18 modern colours for thermostatic heads and valves, combining precise engineering with contemporary design to suit every interior. Yet even this variety was not enough for one particularly prestigious project. For installation within a renowned historic building closely associated with British tradition, HERZ was asked to add a touch of royal elegance. The thermostatic valves in selected rooms were gold-plated, ensuring they not only delivered precise technical performance but also blended seamlessly with the building’s refined surroundings.

HERZ DE LUXE also brings its style and performance to another iconic British institution: football. The range is installed in the VIP areas at Manchester United’s stadium, where comfort and reliability are essential. Whether hosting global superstars such as Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, or Alejandro Garnacho, or welcoming distinguished guests on matchday, HERZ valves help ensure the environment matches the world-class standard expected at Old Trafford.

HERZ for today and tomorrow

HERZ Valves UK is actively involved in professional development within the industry. The company offers CIBSE-certified seminars (the British professional association for engineers) for consulting engineers, operates its own training centre in Peterborough for hands-on courses covering the installation and maintenance of domestic transfer stations and collaborates with universities and technical colleges through workshops and guest lectures to pass on practical knowledge to future building services technicians. „Our vision is to promote a sustainable heating infrastructure in the UK through tested standards and practical support, establishing HERZ as a benchmark for performance, reliability and customer confidence“, concludes Darren Hall.

Facts about the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (official name) is the largest island nation in Europe. Historically, the United Kingdom played a prominent role: from the 17th to the 20th century, the British Empire was the largest colonial empire in history. In the 18th century, the country developed into the world's first industrial nation and, after the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, assumed the role of the leading world power for decades – until the rise of the United States.

The United Kingdom also set standards in terms of infrastructure: on 10 January 1863, the London Underground, the famous ‘Tube’, opened, making it the oldest underground railway system in the world. Today, 253 miles of active lines criss-cross the metropolis. At the same time, London shaped global timekeeping: with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the city established a time zone that is still used as a reference for the whole world today.

• Population: approx. 69 million
• Area: 243,610 km²
• States: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
• Capital: London
• Language: English
• Currency: British pound (1 € = 0.88 GBP)
• Form of government: Constitutional monarchy
• Head of state: King Charles III

HERZ DE LUXE

Over time, the thermostatic head has also proven itself as an interior design element. In most cases, the thermostatic head is chosen to match the rest of the room's décor. For this reason, HERZ has collaborated with Porsche Design to develop a collection consisting of 18 different colours. From gold to ultramarine, from calypso to pergamon, many modern and timeless colours add the finishing touch to interiors.

Furthermore, efficiency does not always mean a major change or considerable effort. A simple hand movement can have a big impact in this area. HERZ thermostatic heads are the perfect solution for all new construction and renovation projects. Suitable for all standard thermostatic valves, the HERZ DE LUXE series in 18 different colours saves money in style – with the right colour option for every room.

Similar to the ‘royal guards’, HERZ thermostatic heads also perform their duties reliably – even in historic rooms where a touch of gold is required.

Picture 1: Training centre on the premises of HERZ Valves UK in Peterborough.

Picture 2: The HERZ Valves UK team after successfully completing the “Driving Performance Course”, which focused on leadership skills and understanding roles.

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