Spotlight: Quintex

Anyone at amber energy® will tell you that we’re blessed to work with some amazing partners – and one of them is Quintex.

We caught up with General Manager, Emma Brooks, last week to talk about how they started, the kind of businesses they support what their plans are for the future.

What is Quintex?

Quintex was first established in 1996 as a consultancy in the food service space. We’re essentially energy and grease management experts.

In 2000, we introduced demand control ventilation systems to the UK, developing our own version called Cheetah.

Across the EMEA, and other parts of the world, we’ve installed around 8,000 systems so far.

Just to explain what it does using an everyday scenario, if you're in the kitchen at home and you want to cook an egg, you'd turn your extractor fan to one or whatever your lowest setting is; for a roast dinner, you'd turn your extractor fan to max. The Chetah system does this all automatically.

By installing and using sensors in the canopies of commercial kitchens, we’re able to regulate the fan speed based on demand; the more they cook, the more air it extracts, and the less they cook, the less it extracts.

So, how does this help your clients?

If you slow a fan down from 100% to 90%, you actually save 27% of the required power needed to run it; and by turning that fan down to 50%, you save 88% of that power.

Can you give us a little known fact about Quintex?

It’s a family-run business. Our client manager, Chris, is the grandson of the founder. His grandad started the business in 1996, then his dad joined in 2000, and Chris followed suit in 2018.

That is a huge part of our ethics actually. We’re not a huge company, but most of our team have been with us for 10 years plus. So, we must be doing something right.

Who are your clients?

Our client base included businesses like Hilton, Tesco, Sainsbury's, NHS, Fullers and Wagamama’s.

Around 95% of our business is in the hospitality space, but what we do is also highly compatible with other sectors.

For example, we also work with universities, schools and office buildings.

But it’s important to note that we’re not just about achieving energy savings for our clients. We also sort out fan maintenance and often help with any noise abatement orders they may receive.

Does sustainability play a part in what you do?

Yes, absolutely. Ours is an energy efficiency product that can make a real impact. We explain to our clients, “Yes, we can save you X amount on your energy bills every year, and that’s going to have a great impact on your bottom line. But, more than that, what we’re doing is also going to help you meet your net zero targets.”

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the commercial value for us. It’s about being as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible as well.

How has COVID affected lockdown affected your business?

Following the first national lockdown in March, all our clients essentially closed their doors. But with Cheetah, we could access their systems remotely; we were able to download their data on a daily basis and then advise our clients accordingly – taking action where necessary.

More than that, our team spent those strange few months discussing how we could improve on what we’re already offering; to future-proof the business and push things forward.

How did you first find out about amber?

A mutual friend recommended that we speak to amber’s founder and CEO, Nick Proctor, so we approached him with our backstory and described what we do for our clients. The partnership started taking shape from that moment onwards, really.

What does the future look like for Quintex?

For the short term, at least, we've moved our focus on to the £1 billion Salix fund that the government has given to the public sector.

We've previously installed our systems for universities, schools and hospitals, with great results, and we’re now looking to expand on that offering.

With some of our contacts in the private sector halting any capital investments for the foreseeable future, we’re really excited to see how we can do more in and for the public sector.

“Quintex are a great example of an amber energy partnership which benefits all parties. Our clients have access to a piece of technology which saves them money and carbon, which in turn provides Quintex with new opportunities. At the same time Quintex understand how hard we work to find the most effective solutions to their clients’ energy challenges and having worked closely with us they are confident to recommend us. They know that we'll bring that same level of customer-centered focus."

“As with all partnerships, it’s important that your brand values are aligned, that’s what excites us about working with amber energy: knowing that they will have any clients’ best interests at heart. With our combined passion in sustainability I have no doubt that together we will help many businesses meet their energy and carbon goals.”

How Quintex and amber energy® work together

The partnership between Quintex and amber energy® is built on a shared commitment to helping businesses reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Quintex brings its Cheetah demand control ventilation technology and deep expertise in commercial kitchen environments, while amber energy® provides energy procurement, management, and sustainability services. Together, they offer clients a comprehensive solution that addresses both the supply and demand sides of energy use.

When a client engages amber energy®, the team often identifies opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. If the client operates a commercial kitchen or has significant ventilation needs, amber energy® may introduce Quintex. Quintex then conducts a site survey to assess the existing extraction system and determine the potential savings from installing Cheetah. This collaborative approach ensures that clients receive tailored recommendations that align with their operational and sustainability goals.

The technology behind Cheetah

Cheetah is an intelligent demand control ventilation system that uses advanced sensors to monitor cooking activity in real time. The sensors, typically installed in the kitchen canopy, detect heat, smoke, and steam levels. Based on this data, the system automatically adjusts the speed of the extraction fans to match the actual demand. This means that during quiet periods, the fans slow down significantly, reducing energy consumption, while during peak cooking times, they ramp up to maintain a safe and comfortable environment.

The system is designed to be retrofitted to existing extraction systems, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to improve energy efficiency without a complete overhaul. Installation is typically quick and minimally disruptive, and the system can be remotely monitored and adjusted, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 lockdowns when many sites were closed or operating at reduced capacity.

Benefits beyond energy savings

While energy savings are a primary driver for many clients, Quintex offers additional benefits that enhance the overall value of the Cheetah system:

Reduced maintenance costs: By running fans at lower speeds for longer periods, wear and tear on components is reduced, leading to fewer breakdowns and longer equipment life.
Noise reduction: Slower fan speeds result in quieter kitchen environments, which can help businesses comply with noise abatement orders and improve staff comfort.
Improved air quality: The system ensures that extraction is always matched to demand, preventing the buildup of grease, smoke, and odours, and maintaining a healthier working environment.
Compliance support: Quintex helps clients meet health and safety regulations by ensuring proper ventilation at all times, and provides documentation and data to demonstrate compliance.

These benefits make Cheetah an attractive option for a wide range of facilities, from restaurants and hotels to schools and hospitals.

Case study: a typical installation

To illustrate how the system works in practice, consider a mid-sized restaurant with a kitchen that operates from early morning to late evening. Before installing Cheetah, the extraction fans ran at full speed throughout the day, consuming a constant 10 kW of power. After installation, the sensors detected varying cooking loads: during breakfast prep, the fans ran at 60% speed; during the lunch rush, they increased to 90%; and during slow afternoon hours, they dropped to 30%. Over a year, this resulted in a 55% reduction in energy consumption for ventilation, saving the restaurant thousands of pounds and significantly cutting its carbon footprint.

Quintex provides detailed reports showing energy usage before and after installation, allowing clients to see the tangible impact. These reports are also useful for sustainability reporting and for demonstrating progress towards net zero targets.

Looking ahead: innovation and growth

Quintex continues to innovate, exploring new sensor technologies and integration with building management systems to provide even greater control and efficiency. The company is also expanding its reach into the public sector, leveraging the Salix fund to help schools, universities, and hospitals upgrade their ventilation systems. With a strong track record and a commitment to sustainability, Quintex is well-positioned to help more organisations reduce their energy use and environmental impact.

For amber energy® clients, the partnership with Quintex represents an opportunity to address a significant source of energy waste in commercial kitchens. By combining energy procurement expertise with cutting-edge efficiency technology, both companies are helping businesses achieve their financial and environmental goals. To learn more about energy efficiency solutions, visit our Energy Industry News & Blog or explore our insights on 5 opportunities helping UK businesses get to net zero.

#Others