Lightfoot International joins Nordic Climate Group in UK

Above: (left to right) Tony Haile (Maritime Director), Terry Nicholls (CEO), Ronnie Coutts (UK CEO NCG), Steve Rodgers (MD) and Joe Gordon Mills (Aerospace Director).
Courtesy Nordic Climate Group

Founded in 1885 and headquartered in Fareham in the South of England, Lightfoot designs, assembles and services custom-built cooling equipment developed for demanding environments with high operational requirements.

Today, the company employs 24 people and serves a diverse range of customers across several sectors, including Defence and industrial Maritime. Working with UK and international government defence organisations together with leading defence contractors and maritime ship operators. Lightfoot has built a strong position within markets characterised by high reliability requirements and recurring project work. Across all sectors, Lightfoot’s long-standing customer relationships and deep application knowledge underpin its reputation as a trusted partner in demanding cooling environments.

Lightfoot International’s commitment to advancing technical knowledge extends beyond its defence and commercial work. The company awards the Kenneth Lightfoot Medal annually at the prestigious Institute of Refrigeration Dinner, recognising the best technical paper submitted to the Institute. This long-standing sponsorship reflects Lightfoot’s deep-rooted belief in supporting the wider industry and nurturing the next generation of refrigeration and cooling engineers.

Ronnie Coutts, CEO of Nordic Climate Group UK, said: “Lightfoot brings a unique combination of specialist expertise, strong customer relationships and a long history of delivering solutions in highly demanding environments. The company strengthens Nordic Climate Group within an attractive and growing segment and adds capabilities that complement our existing operations in the UK and across Europe.”

The acquisition expands Nordic Climate Group’s exposure within defence-related cooling solutions and the industrial maritime sectors. Adding further expertise in specialist applications where operational reliability and technical performance are critical. Lightfoot International services customers in the UK, Middle East and Europe and will continue to operate under its existing local brand and leadership as part of Nordic Climate Group.

Terry Nicholls and Paul Hopkins of Lightfoot International stated: “Lightfoot has been built over many years through technical expertise, quality and long-term customer relationships. It was important for us to find a partner that understands the value of specialist knowledge and supports the continued development of the business. Nordic Climate Group felt like a strong fit from the beginning.”