Daikin Air Conditioning UK has acquired Saltire Facilities Management, a Glasgow-based heating services company, in what it dubs a ‘strategic acquisition’ that it says will enhance its residential heat pump service network in Scotland – a region with significant growth potential for heat pump heating.
Daikin says that as ‘a leading total HVAC-R solutions provider’, it focuses on ‘delivering the highest quality of service for the rapidly increasing number of residential heat pumps being installed in the UK’. Its acquisition of Saltire Facilities Management – from United Capital Group – comes after its purchase of Robert Heath Heating in January 2024. It says both acquisitions strengthen its service infrastructure in the UK, ‘supporting the country's growing adoption of heat pumps’. With the ban since April 2024 on the installation of combustion boilers in new homes, it says Scotland ‘presents a promising market for heat pump heating’, with a forecast demand of 70,000 units by 2028.
Saltire Facilities Management specialises in heating services for houses and apartment buildings, offering maintenance contracts, installation of heating systems, and ‘24/7 service support’. Based in Glasgow (Scotland) and with a branch in Birmingham (England), Saltire employs approximately 300 staff, including over 200 field technicians.
“This acquisition is a significant step towards achieving our strategic goals of creating a national service structure,” said Tomoji Miki, MD at Daikin UK. “By combining the strengths of Daikin, Robert Heath Heating, and Saltire Facilities Management, we are well-positioned to lead the heat pump market in the UK and provide exceptional service to our customers.”
Daikin plans no changes to the operations, and will maintain the name of Saltire Facilities Management, as a member of the Daikin group. Daikin will bring its heat pump expertise to the organisation, allowing Saltire’s customers to select from a wide portfolio ‘future heating solutions’, including heat pumps.
Alan Murray, MD of Saltire Facilities Management, said: “We are excited to join the Daikin group and use its expertise to further expand into the renewable energy sector and heat pumps. This acquisition will bring our customers enhanced technical support and access to a broader range of energy-efficient products. We aim to expand technician training programmes to build a skilled workforce with expertise in the most recent technologies – including heat pump servicing.”
Founded in 2000, and based in North Lanarkshire, Saltire Facilities Management is reportedly one of the UK’s largest property services providers, specialising in renewables, gas services, and electrical works, and operating across Scotland and the Midlands. Saltire’s services include air source heat pumps; solar PV and battery storage; electric vehicle chargers; boiler installation, servicing and maintenance; electrical works and EICRs; gas services, heating and plumbing; smoke alarm installation and maintenance; joinery, and void repairs.