Firefighting kit firm thrilled at King's Award win

A company that produces firefighting equipment has been recognised for its innovative designs and for covering the roof of its headquarters in solar panels.

Delta Fire designs and manufactures equipment near Norwich, including a "sophisticated" nozzle used by most fire and rescue services.

It had bid for two King's Awards for Enterprise 2025, in innovation and sustainable development, and won both.

A total of 197 businesses have been honoured, with Delta Fire one of only two to win in more than one category, and managing director Ian Gardner said staff were "absolutely thrilled".

"About 90% of UK fire services use these nozzles, including Norfolk, London, all of the main cities," he said.

"It's our small claim to fame that every day, most fires in the UK are extinguished by these fire nozzles that are made at Broadland Business Park."

Speaking of the company's innovation, Mr Gardner said more than 20% of its office staff worked in design and development, including 3D modelling systems, and flow analysis and simulation.

He added it was an "absolute no-brainer" for businesses with a south-facing roof to cover it in solar cells as it was "an investment that pays for itself".

"We've gone further, and our north and south roofs are covered in 100% solar," he said.

"Ventilation and the running of the machines, which is robot-assisted, are all run by solar generation."

For eight months a year, the company produced nearly twice as much energy as it needed, he said, with a large on-site battery in place for "when the clouds pass over".

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