Staff numbers grow at air conditioning manufacturer

An air conditioning business has bucked the trend of 2020 with significant capital and headcount investment and a predicted end of year of forecast that shows continued growth.

Airedale International, which manufactures from its centre of innovation in Leeds, is investing nearly £1m in new plant equipment that will further improve efficiency and support increased production.

The manufacturing facility, which currently offers 24-hour production during the working week, is expanding its capacity in response to sustained demand.

Since the start of the first lockdown, the firm has recruited the equivalent of 39 full time staff members, along with increasing the number of temporary workers from six to 20 members of staff.

Tony Cole

It says this growth in headcount is also set to continue over the next 12 months.

With an investment of nearly a quarter of a million pounds in IT hardware, more members of the company’s team have been 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 staff members working both on site and in the company’s UK-wide service and maintenance team.

Managing director, Tony Cole, said: “We have been steadfast in our approach to growth, whilst being flexible in how we implement our strategy, allowing for the uncertainty that 2020 has presented.

“What is certain is that as we continue to support our UK customers with both new products and aftersales support, demand continues to grow for the Airedale name and the quality and efficiency associated with it.”

“In a year that saw our largest ever single order at circa £10m, we are excited about the future, especially once the hurdles of this virus have been overcome.

“We continue to fly the British flag in a competitive global air conditioning market, helped by a 24/7 service team and a state-of-the-art software offer.”

HR director, Steve Joyce, added: “We have worked tirelessly this past year to adapt to the restrictions and challenges presented by Covid-19 and have made significant financial investment into technologies that allow us to continue production whilst reducing the risk of virus transmission.

“We are so fortunate to have such a loyal, dedicated and flexible staff who have worked with us and adapted to the changes.”