Clivet starts heat pump production at €24m Feltre plant
Italy – Clivet has started production at a new €24 million heat pump factory in Feltre, Italy, with capacity to manufacture up to 8,800 units a year at full output.
The 14,000m² facility has been developed to meet growing international demand for heat pumps and high-efficiency air-conditioning equipment, with a particular focus on commercial applications and systems using natural refrigerants. It currently employs 80 people across production and office roles, with further recruitment planned as output increases.
Commercial heat pump production
The newly built production lines are assembling Clivet’s SHEEN heat pumps in 30kW, 60kW and 90kW sizes, alongside the R290 THUNDER range, STORM units and 130kW SHEEN models.
The plant will also manufacture Modular HP products for the US market, extending the site’s role beyond Clivet’s European commercial heat pump business.
The investment increases Clivet’s manufacturing capacity as the company targets growing demand for electrified heating and cooling equipment in commercial buildings.
We chose to invest in our territory to ensure the timely development of the solutions required by the European market.
Stefano Bellò, President and CEO, Clivet
Natural refrigerants and efficient manufacturing
The inclusion of Clivet’s R290 THUNDER range gives natural refrigerants a prominent role in production at the new facility. The site has also been designed around Lean Manufacturing principles and is prepared for the introduction of collaborative robots and automated guided vehicles.
Clivet has applied for LEED Silver certification for the building.
Solar power covers most site demand
A 1,008-panel photovoltaic system with an installed capacity of 805kWp has been fitted at the plant. Clivet says this is expected to cover 67% of the facility’s energy consumption, with an estimated 87% of the solar electricity generated being consumed on site.
Surplus generation will be exported to the grid.
Four electric vehicle charging points have also been installed, adding to 31 already operating across Clivet’s other manufacturing sites.
Further recruitment planned
The Feltre plant currently has 50 employees working in production and 30 in office-based roles.
Clivet said further recruitment is planned in line with market growth as production at the factory increases towards its full annual capacity.
