DEREHAM: Zip Heaters has announced the acquisition of Southport-based Instanta, which manufactures and markets instant boiling water products for catering and commercial use.

Founded in 1957, Instanta sells a diverse range of boiling water products and has built a reputation for product quality, reliability, and customer support.

Making the announcement, Chris Binnie, Zip UK’s general manager, commented: "This move gives the group a significant presence in the UK catering market as well as offering additional export opportunities for Instanta products through Zip subsidiaries and agents around the world. It also greatly increases our UK manufacturing capability.”

Instanta will continue to operate as a standalone company, retaining the entire Instanta management team, including managing director John Brassey and his wife Marion. Commenting on the changes Mr Brassey explained: “In our search for the best buyer for the company our top priority was to find one that shared the same ethos. In Zip we have found just that – world leaders in instant boiling water with a passion for customer service.”

Zip’s existing UK operation, formed in 1991, has grown rapidly in line with demand for its products and now has the largest sales and service teams in its sector. The total Zip UK headcount increases by some 50% with Instanta joining the Group.