A thriving Black Country plumbing and heating company has unveiled a commitment to renewable energy after rapid expansion.
WLV Plumbing and Heating Ltd has entered a new phase of growth after being entrusted to take over ACS Plumbing and Heating Ltd earlier this year, following the sudden loss of its highly respected owner, Simon Newton. The buyout was made possible through mutual business contacts who recognised WLV as the right team to take on Simon’s legacy.
Simon’s partner Nikki said: “WLV Plumbing and Heating were a natural choice to carry on Simon’s ethos. Customers became friends, and that can continue.”
WLV director David Robinson said: “We take our responsibility in moving forward and honouring Simon’s memory very seriously.
“We’re fully committed to renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps, and we believe they’ll play an increasingly important role in the future of home heating. At the same time, many properties aren’t currently suitable without significant upgrades, and we feel a responsibility to give homeowners honest, informed guidance.
“Our approach is to help people understand their options, identify any improvements needed, and consider the practical implications of moving away from natural gas. In the short, medium and even long term, we expect natural gas — alongside the potential of hydrogen — to remain a key part of delivering reliable, efficient heating for the UK’s existing housing stock.
“We’re also upskilling our workforce to carry out installation and maintenance of air‑conditioning units. Air‑con is becoming increasingly popular in both domestic and commercial settings, and the ability to use these systems for heating is becoming more prevalent.”
The company, based at Gibbons Industrial Park in Kingswinford, has expanded rapidly since directors Scott Irving, David Robinson and Adam Macey joined forces in 2022, combining decades of experience and a determination to raise standards across the heating industry. The business has grown more than five‑fold, moved to new premises, invested in new transport and created four new jobs.
Originally formed by Scott in 2021, WLV now supports more than 2,800 customers across the Black Country and wider West Midlands. The directors say the company’s success is sparked by trust, technical expertise and a commitment to doing the job properly.
These values have all been transferred from their early careers as apprentices at British Gas.
David added their approach is deeply personal: “After breaking my back a couple of years ago, I had to consider what I would do if I couldn’t return to the heating industry. I realised that whatever it was, it had to involve helping people. Even if I couldn’t fix heating and hot water issues anymore, helping people is what I’ve always enjoyed most.
“There are a lot of bad tradespeople out there. We’re friendly, we’re personable, and we’re highly experienced engineers who set extremely high standards. Our work must always meet both industry and manufacturer expectations. We’re on a mission to raise standards in our industry, and our reviews show that customers value not just the work, but the trust and personality behind it.”
The three directors — all born and raised in the Black Country — bring more than 45 years of combined experience. David, originally from Tipton, and now living in Kingswinford, spent 15 years at British Gas. Scott, born in Willenhall, and now living in Penn, worked there for 14 years. Adam, from Walsall and now based in Wednesfield, spent 18 years with the company.
