The story of Delta Fire’s path from local manufacturing to global markets, built on sustainable design and award-winning engineering expertise
More than three decades ago, in a small workshop in Norwich, Ian Gardner set out to build specialist equipment for the UK fire sector.
Today, Delta Fire exports to over 100 countries, manufactures its components with solar-powered robots and supplies more than 90 percent of UK fire and rescue services with attack nozzles, hose reels and foam systems.
That journey – from startup to manufacturer of fire suppression systems used on offshore platforms, aircraft runways and wildland firefighting deployments – has now earned the company double recognition from the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
Delta Fire has been commended for both Innovation and Sustainable Development, reflecting its dual commitment to frontline functionality and low-impact manufacturing.
According to Gardner, the company’s philosophy remains grounded in one objective: “Our mission has always been simple – design the best equipment to save lives and do it in a way that safeguards the future.”
Responding to new operational risks with engineering
Delta Fire’s Innovation award reflects its ability to align product design with emerging hazards.
The increasing complexity of modern firefighting – from lithium battery fires to high-rise evacuations and extreme weather-driven wildfires – has required equipment that performs under changing conditions.
The company’s development process is guided by input from operational teams and includes in-house testing on a dedicated fire rig.
The Attack Pro Series is an example of this feedback loop in action.
The nozzle integrates a stainless-steel turbine and an advanced spray pattern that produces a fine mist of micro-droplets.
The result is improved cooling efficiency, better visibility and more control for crews operating in confined or high-temperature environments.
Gardner describes the series as the culmination of decades of development in close collaboration with fire services.
Other products have been created in response to specific threats.
The Hydro-Wall Hose, for example, was developed to support operations around wildfires and battery energy storage sites, where water delivery and containment are critical in preventing fire spread.
A sector-spanning portfolio built in the UK
What distinguishes Delta Fire’s model is its integrated design and manufacturing.
All engineering takes place at its Norwich headquarters using CAD systems, 3D modelling, flow simulation and CNC machining.
The entire product lifecycle – from concept to final build – is managed on-site, giving the company direct control over quality and performance standards.
The product portfolio spans multiple sectors.
Delta Fire is established in the defence, marine, aviation and petrochemical industries and also supports forestry operations and infrastructure safety worldwide.
The equipment ranges from portable firefighting monitors and foam generators to custom nozzles designed for specific risk profiles, such as remote terrains or high-hazard chemical facilities.
In each application, the focus remains the same: supporting operators in real-world conditions with equipment that can endure extreme use while enhancing safety.
Manufacturing to net-zero energy standards
Delta’s second King’s Award recognises its sustainability programme, which is embedded into both facility operations and product design.
In 2025, the company achieved net-zero energy usage at its Norwich site.
This was made possible through a combination of solar power generation, battery storage, air source heating and rainwater harvesting.
The company’s 648 rooftop solar panels generate an estimated 260MWh annually.
During low-sunlight months, stored energy supports operations through a 300kWh battery system.
Heating and cooling are delivered via efficient heat pumps and rainwater is collected for landscaping use.
Delta also supplies excess electricity back to the national grid when production exceeds internal demand.
Future plans include the installation of up to three vertical-axis wind turbines, which will increase the site’s resilience during winter.
These initiatives form part of a broader drive to reduce packaging waste, design products for long-term use and eliminate material inefficiencies across the supply chain.
Beyond its site, Delta Fire supports reforestation efforts in Tanzania, contributing to over 3,000 trees planted and offsetting approximately 450 tonnes of carbon.
Expanding operations to meet international demand
To support continued growth, Delta Fire is investing more than £1 million into a new 975 square metre expansion of its headquarters.
The build will add dedicated space for warehousing, assembly and R&D activities and introduce automated machinery to further increase productivity.
Gardner sees the expansion as a commitment to both UK-based manufacturing and global distribution.
“This is more than an expansion.
It’s a strategic move to support our long-term commitment to sustainable growth and UK-based manufacturing.”
Now employing staff who have remained with the company for over two decades, the business continues to develop internally while adding new talent and leadership perspectives.
A new generation with a sustainability remit
Delta Fire’s future is also being shaped by its second generation of leadership.
Jordon King, Ian Gardner’s grandson, now serves as Chief Sustainability Officer and plays an active role in management.
After joining the company from university, King took charge of award submissions and represents Delta Fire on industry sustainability forums.
He sees his role as a continuation of principles already embedded in the company’s operation: “Sustainability wasn’t an afterthought – it was something my grandfather had built into the business from the very start.”
King is now helping to formalise and extend these practices across product lifecycles, reporting systems and external engagement.
He describes the company’s approach as consistent with responsible manufacturing at a global scale.
Sustained engineering with a clear mission
The dual recognition from the King’s Awards adds formal recognition to a company whose design, manufacturing and sustainability principles have been years in development.
With its expanding facility, net-zero operational target met and global market reach, Delta Fire presents a model of UK-based engineering grounded in long-term thinking.
What began as a single-operator workshop in 1990 has grown into an international manufacturer.
For Gardner, the company’s goals remain aligned to its roots: supporting those who protect others.