Resilient Airedale set to rise from the ashes

WHEN fire tore through Airedale International Air Conditioning last month, sending plumes of smoke hundreds of feet into the air, many people feared that the business would never rise again.
Firefighters tackle a major blaze at Airedale air conditioning factory on the A65 Leeds Road in RawdonFirefighters tackle a major blaze at Airedale air conditioning factory on the A65 Leeds Road in Rawdon
Firefighters tackle a major blaze at Airedale air conditioning factory on the A65 Leeds Road in Rawdon

But staff at the Yorkshire firm have rolled their sleeves up and continued working at a temporary site, and bosses expect to return to their old home within the next 18 months. As a result, hundreds of Yorkshire manufacturing jobs have been saved.

Clive Parkman, the firm’s managing director, told the Yorkshire Post: “I knew we had a very loyal and dedicated workforce, many of whom have been with Airedale since it started in 1974, but I’ve been astounded by the commitment of everyone, at every level; our strength really is our people.”

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On September 6, a massive fire ripped through the air conditioning factory in Rawdon on the outskirts of Leeds, triggering road closures which caused traffic chaos. At its peak, 20 fire engines and 100 firefighters battled the blaze which devastated a three-storey warehouse building.

Thick black smoke could be seen for miles around as the crews struggled to stop the inferno spreading through the factory. None of the 330 staff was injured, and the premises were evacuated shortly after the fire broke out at about 2.50pm.

The company has secured temporary premises in Leeds at Gelderd Lane, and bosses are working with architects on plans to design and build a new, state-of-the-art facility at its site in Rawdon.

“Following the fire, everyone has pulled together in a tremendous show of commitment to getting the business back up and running as quickly as possible,’’said Mr Parkman.

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“When I first spoke with Tom Burke, chief executive of our parent company, Modine, his first question was to ask if anyone was hurt.

“Once assured that everyone was safe and accounted for, it was reassuring to know that we had the full support of Modine, both emotionally and in an operational sense.

“Over the course of the last few weeks, we have been in communication with customers, employees, suppliers and the local community as we continue to return to normal operating conditions. We then started to identify what could be salvaged and to source items of plant, components and stock that could not be recover-ed.

“We were fortunate to have some cottages on the Rawdon site which were being used for storage at the time of the fire.

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“By the start of week two, we had more than 50 people from our commercial and administration teams working from there. They’re not ideal, but there’s a great atmosphere and they have provided a convenient solution until the new site can be accessed.

“On-site, progress really has been fast paced.

“Production has now started in earnest on small systems and our condenser and condensing unit range.

“Our sheet metal and paint shop are also fully functional.”

Mr Parkman thanked Tom Riordan, the chief executive of Leeds City Council and the company’s local councillors and MEPs, who helped the company to shortlist a number of potential sites.

Mr Parkman added: “Tom and our local MP, Stuart Andrew, visited us on site to lend their support on numerous occasions.

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“Once we had a shortlist of sites, it was a case of identifying which of those would provide the facilities we required and represent the best-fit for our local workforce. This ultimately led us to the site on Gelderd Lane.

“So far we have held on to just under 90 per cent of orders. Most customers have been prepared to wait for, in the words of one customer, ‘for the best’.

“We are also fortunate to have a production facility in Johannesburg which has picked up around 21 systems destined for Africa, South America and the Far East.”

He said the firm expected to remain on its temporary site for 15 to 18 months, before returning to Rawdon.

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He added: “We were already working with architects and project management specialists Darnton EGS on our new technology centre, (and) on plans to redevelop the entire site.

“The fire will actually allow us to develop the site facility we want as we continue to maintain our position as a world leader in the design and manufacture of high efficiency cooling solutions.”

He said it would be “inappropriate to mention figures” in relation to the cost of moving back on site.

He added: “We are fully covered by our insurance, and this will allow us to develop a world-class facility of which the local region can be proud.

“The fire certainly won’t hold us back.

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“Evidence of our continued growth can be demonstrated by the announcement of our parent company, Modine, that they have entered into negotiations to acquire Barkell, the UK market-leading manufacturer of custom-built air handling units.”

Committed to the city

Altogether, Airedale employs around 330 people, so the firm’s commitment to remain in Leeds following the fire is good news for the local economy.

Combined with its Johannesburg manufacturing facility, the company employs 420 people globally.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City council executive board member with responsibility for development and the economy, said: “The council has worked closely with Airedale International to help them find alternative temporary premises to continue their business after the fire.

“We will work closely with them to support them on their long-term plans.”