Airedale International Air Conditioning is set to move production to a new temporary site in Leeds within the next few weeks, following the fire at its existing site in Rawdon on 6 September.
Key items of plant including sheet metal and paint shop remained intact despite the blaze and Airedale intends to transfer production to the 'Leeds West', Gelderd Lane site, which is located on one of the main routes into Leeds, close to motorway networks. With an area of more than 130,000ft2, the temporary facility provides enough space to house production and administration until the Rawdon site is redeveloped.
Airedale is currently working with architects on plans to design and build a new, state-of-the-art factory, business suite and technology centre facility at Rawdon and the focus is on returning to full production as quickly as possible.
In the interim, much of the manufacturer's normal operations are continuing virtually without interruption. Service engineers attended at customer sites from day one, as planned, and production of controls, small systems, condensers and condensing units was also quickly resumed. In addition, some of its production of systems destined for the southern hemisphere has been picked up by the firm's South African sister company. In the weeks up to the move, Airedale is concentrating on fabrication and component assembly so that units can be built and despatched as soon as the new site is operational around mid-October.
Airedale's managing director, Clive Parkman, said: 'I firmly believe that we can build a bigger, stronger Airedale that will see us secure our world-leading, award-winning position in the market for another 40 years and beyond.'
