Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened Airedale International’s new state of the art manufacturing facility in Rawdon, Leeds, during a visit on 10th May 2016.
The British cooling systems manufacturer moved into the new 23,000 square metre purpose built premises in January 2016 following a fire in September 2013. With a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating in recognition of its environmental credentials, the new facility also features one of the largest and most extensive R&D centres in Europe.
After a short presentation in which The Princess Royal met the board, she then undertook a tour of the plant, to learn how the facility functioned and to see the different types of work undertaken. The tour aimed to highlight the importance of the manufacturing industry in the UK economy and whilst on the tour employees presented to The Princess Royal, included current and former apprentices.
Among those apprentices who The Princess Royal met with on her tour of the facility was Ryan Bartlett, who has spent the last 4 years as part of Airedale’s workforce, gaining experience as a Design Engineer while working part-time towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Ryan Bartlett said:
“It was an amazing opportunity to have met The Princess Royal. I love working in the manufacturing sector, every day is always different, and it gives me such satisfaction to be part of such a diverse range of projects. “
The tour route took in; the R&D centre, sheet metal production area, paint plant and coil assembly area, precision air conditioning production line, chiller area, CITB approved training school workshops and classroom, along with the offices.
The royal visit culminated in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque within the reception area joined by staff from all areas of the company.
Speaking afterwards Clive Parkman, Managing Director, said;
“It was an incredible honour to receive this visit by The Princess Royal, and one that our employees will remember for years to come. We are very proud of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities here in Rawdon, and the teams that run them, so it was a pleasure to be able to present these to such a prestigious guest. We are very privileged that The Princess Royal has taken such interest in our work and the future of British manufacturing.
We have been working incredibly hard since moving here in January 2016 and this is a great way to celebrate the best of British manufacturing and the dedication and effort each of our teams have put into the business. “
Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council were among the dignitaries for the royal opening of the new facility.
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Notes to Editors:
About Airedale
Formed in 1974 Airedale International Air Conditioning is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative, high efficiency cooling solutions, with manufacturing bases in three continents and customers in over 60 countries.
With 40 years’ experience, we provide a complete solution that encompasses precision air conditioning and IT cooling systems, chillers, condensers/dry coolers and air handling units. Airedale also has significant expertise in the design and integration of ACIS™ Building Management Systems and HVAC controls, providing comprehensive monitoring, reporting and diagnostic tools to manage system performance and energy costs. Airedale systems are supported by a full range of complementary services from commissioning, service and refurbishment to spares support and training, delivered by experts with many years’ industry experience.
With a new product development process that focuses on achieving industry-leading efficiencies and resilience, Airedale has consistently set the bar for innovation within the cooling industry. 2014/15 award wins include:
AireFlow™ indirect adiabatic air handling unit (100-440kW)
- Data Centre Solutions Awards: Datacentre Cooling Product of the Year 2015
SmartCool™ CW SD/SN/SR (11-233kW)
- Data Centre Solutions Awards: Energy Efficiency Product of the Year 2014
- H&V News: Commercial Building Services Product of the Year 2014
TurboChill™ & TurboChill™ Free Cool with low GWP refrigerant R1234ze (200-1830kW)
- CIBSE Building Performance Awards: Energy Saving Product of the Year 2015
Modular Data Centre Solution for Vodacom Pty
- RAC Cooling Industry Awards: International Achievement of the Year 2014
Computer Room Air Conditioning Retrofit Programme at BAE Systems, Warton
- BAE Systems Chairman’s Award 2015
- Energy Institute Awards 2015: Technology category
- HVR Awards: Sustainable Project of the Year 2015
- RAC Cooling Industry Awards: End User of the Year (Non-Supermarket) 2015 – awarded to BAE Systems
Airedale employs almost 600 individuals globally and is part of Modine Manufacturing Company. For more information, visit www.airedale.com.
About Modine
Modine, with 2015 fiscal revenues of $1.5 billion, specialises in thermal management systems and components, bringing highly engineered heating and cooling technology and solutions to diversified global markets. Modine products are used in light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, off-highway and industrial equipment and refrigeration systems. Modine is a global company with headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin, USA, and has operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. For more information about Modine, visit www.modine.com. For information about Modine’s Building HVAC group, visit www.modinehvac.com.
Press enquiries:
Oxana Morozowska, PR Executive
DDI: +44 (0) 113 395 8108
E: o.morozowska@airedale.com
Airedale International Air Conditioning Ltd
Leeds Road, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6JY, UK
T: +44 (0) 113 239 1000
W: www.airedale.com
Twitter: @AiredaleAC
