Kelvion to cease production in Fareham

UK: Heat exchanger product manufacturer Kelvion is to cease manufacturing at its UK factory in Fareham, bringing to an end 67 years of refrigeration production at the site.

Production is to be integrated into Kelvion’s manufacturing facility in Świebodzice, Poland, a transition which is expected to be completed by the end of February 2025.

The plan includes retaining a presence in Fareham for research and development and sales activities.

In a statement, the parent company said that the decision had been taken following extensive planning and consultation, adding: “Kelvion is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure an orderly relocation of the Fareham site and to minimise the impact on our employees, customers, public administrations, and suppliers.

“Kelvion will honour all legal and economic obligations derived from signed contracts relating to current ongoing projects.”

Kelvion Ltd made a loss of £2,030,000 on a turnover of £37.4m in the latest accounts to the end of 2022. 

Formerly GEA Searle, the UK business became part of the newly formed Kelvion group after being acquired by private equity firm Triton in 2014.

Originally founded in 1921 by Charles Searle as a car radiator manufacturer, the business became a famous British refrigeration name as the Searle Manufacturing Company.

It had transitioned to refrigeration in the 1950s, manufacturing and marketing refrigeration equipment throughout Europe and Africa under licence from Dunham-Bush. The 21-acre site in Newgate Lane, Fareham, was purchased in 1957.

Searle had a number of owners over the years, including Hall-Thermotank, Prestcold and Suter, becoming GEA Searle under the GEA group in 2008.