Airedale is investing nearly £1m in new plant equipment

Airedale International, which manufactures from its world class centre of innovation in the North of England, is investing nearly £1m in new plant equipment that will further improve efficiency and support increased production. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which currently offers 24 hour production during the working week, is expanding its capacity in response to continued and sustained demand.

Furthermore, since the start of the first lockdown, Airedale has recruited the equivalent of 39 full time staff members, along with increasing the number of temporary workers from 6 to 20* members of staff and this growth in headcount is also set to continue over the next 12 months.

With a predicted 5 year, 70% growth by March 2022, and with further significant investment planned in capital equipment and headcount over the forthcoming year, UK manufacturing plant is busier than ever, building high quality, high efficiency air conditioning products that serve industries such as data centres, healthcare, pharmaceutical and other commercial outlets.

In a year that saw undeniable challenges, Airedale International has been tenacious with continuing its growth strategy. The safety of  team has been of utmost priority and as such the company reduced production volume in the spring, whilst Covid-safe procedures were implemented and physical workplace adjustments were made. A significant number of changes were made that allowed production to continue at normal levels whilst reducing the risk of virus transmission, including the introduction of a 3 shift work pattern, allowing for fewer people in the building at any one time without reducing overall output.

With an investment of nearly a quarter of a million pounds in IT hardware, more members of the team were able to work remotely, including office staff working from home, and production staff able to work in the office, thus spacing people out. PPE continues to be provided to all team members working both on site and in their UK wide 24/7 service and maintenance team, one way systems are in place and hand sanitising stations introduced.

Managing Director, Tony Cole, explains: “We recognise that 2020 has been an extremely tough year and we are sensitive to the fact that many businesses have struggled. We have decided to share news of our continued growth to demonstrate that UK manufacturing is still an exciting and prosperous place to be.”