Cool design that earned judges’ warm praise

Our judges thought a Laisterdyke firm’s refrigeration innovation was a really cool idea.

Victor Manufacturing, which designs and makes products for the catering industry, picked up the first award of the evening with its design for the Victor Optimax refrigerated retail display.

The firm has applied for a patent on its design for a chilled food display cabinet which stays cool even when the door is open.

In other chilled food display cabinets, when people open the doors to either load in or take out products, the cold air comes out and the temperature inside the cabinet can rise above recommended levels.

But with the Victor Optimax, when the doors are opened the cold air is retained within the cabinet.

The Victor Optimax also has another huge advantage – the energy saving produced for the client by retaining this cold air.

The Bradford Means Business judges decided this was the most innovative idea they’d seen this year, and awarded Victor Manufacturing the award.

After accepting it on behalf of Victor Manufacturing, product development manager Alasdair Bryce said: “It’s wonderful, and quite a surprise.”

Alasdair said the award was a great reward for the firm’s hard work on the invention.

He said: “It’s something we have worked on for many years.

“You never really expect it’s going to be your company that’s chosen. It’s quite wonderful.”

Victor Manufacturing has manufactured its goods in Bradford for more than 60 years and now employs more than 80 people at its Laisterdyke factory.

Highly commended: Topdental, of Silsden, and Cimlogic, of Baildon

Sponsored by Bradford University School of Management