New factory for British solar reefer firm

Sunswap, the pioneering British manufacturer of zero-emission transport refrigeration systems, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new production facility in Leatherhead, Surrey.

This move comes as the company experiences increasing demand for its solar and battery-powered refrigeration units across the UK and Europe.

The new facility will produce Sunswap’s “Endurance” transport refrigeration units (TRUs), which combine battery storage with roof-mounted solar panels in order to operate efficiently without relying on fuel.

Sunswap claims that over a 10-year period, each unit can help logistics fleets reduce CO2 emissions by around 120 tonnes, while also cutting operational costs by up to 81 per cent compared to diesel-powered equivalents.

This expansion follows significant commercial success, with Sunswap securing partnerships with major logistics providers and retailers, including DFDS, TIP, and Samworth Brothers, Staples Vegetables, and Cranswick. 

Initially reliant on third-party manufacturers, Sunswap now has the capacity to handle its own production in-house. This shift was made possible by Sunswap’s £17.3  million (AU$36m) second-round funding, which has allowed the company to accelerate its development and scale up operations.

Sunswap CEO Michael Lowe said in-house manufacturing “has always been core” to the company’s plans.

“The recent fundraising success and growing customer interest in Endurance has accelerated our timeline. We’re proud to invest in British manufacturing and engineering talent as we scale up production of zero-emission transport refrigeration technology.”

The new facility both boosts Sunswap’s production capabilities and enables complete oversight of the quality and assembly processes, while proximity to the engineering team means faster implementation of product improvements and a more responsive approach to customer feedback. The expansion will also create 75 new manufacturing jobs in Surrey.

As part of its efforts to expand into Europe, Sunswap has designed the facility with scalability in mind, allowing the company to increase production as demand grows across the continent.