3 min read - 25 Sep, 2026
Henry vacuum maker announces £85m investment in Somerset operations
Numatic International is investing more than £85m in Somerset to expand production, develop new products and accelerate its transition towards lower-carbon manufacturing.
The investment in the Chard manufacturing hub includes its ongoing 24,500 sq m expansion, which incorporates a newly opened research and development centre of excellence, a state-of-the-art 8,000-pallet global distribution centre due to be completed in spring 2027, and significant investment in self-generated renewable energy.
The business, which employs 1,200 people and has an annual turnover of £260m, exports its products to more than 100 countries worldwide.
The installation of a new 2,672-panel solar array at the Chard site, capable of generating up to 30% of the site’s electricity requirements, is also part of the site’s upgrades. Generating enough power to manufacture the equivalent of 500,000 Henry vacuum cleaners each year, the array provides both energy security and significantly reduced energy costs.
Numatic International is investing over £85m in its Chard manufacturing base as the business celebrates 45 years of the Henry vacuum / Picture: Numatic
Taking this further, Numatic is investing in additional rooftop solar generation, which will play a pivotal part in its plans to generate 50% of the factory’s electricity requirements from solar by 2030.
An industry leader in the use of recycled plastic, Numatic designs durability and repairability into all its products to extend product life and minimise waste. As part of its SBTi-verified carbon reduction plan, Numatic aims to reach net zero by 2050.
The investment in the business comes as Numatic celebrates the 45th anniversary of Henry, one of Britain’s best-known manufactured products.
Designed, engineered and made in the UK, Henry is the UK’s best-selling domestic vacuum by volume, with over 1 million units produced every year, and one in four households owning the friendly face of cleaning. Since its launch in 1981, more than 20 million Henrys have been produced.
The investment includes an 8,000-pallet global distribution centre, a new R&D centre and significant upgrades in self-generated renewable energy / Picture: Numatic
To mark its 45th anniversary, Numatic is launching a limited-edition Henry, with just 1,000 special-edition machines available.
The limited-edition vacuum features Henry’s classic face accompanied by an automated arm placing a ‘y’ into Henry’s name. It will also feature a black-and-white Union Jack surrounded by the words ‘Made in the UK’ sitting prominently on his bowler hat. The limited-edition Henry will be available from 24 September, costing £129.99 through www.myhenry.com.
Simon Lawson, managing director of Numatic International, said: “Henry has become an iconic British product, but the story behind him is one of investment, innovation and a long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK.
“We have always believed that staying competitive means continuing to invest in our people, our facilities and our ability to develop world-leading products here in Somerset. That’s why we are investing £85m across the business, ranging from research and development and manufacturing capacity to renewable energy and global distribution.”
