The soaring value of the pound is making life tough for engineering companies like Airedale Springs Ltd.

The company manufactures high quality springs to order for companies across the country. The soaring value of Sterling means British producers are now looking for cheaper products in Europe.

The Haworth-based company currently employs around 80 staff in its Ebor Mills factory, and produces springs to specification for a customer base of more than 500 UK companies.

Chairman Michael Parkinson says: "We are managing to do well in spite of fierce competition from the continent and the strength of the pound.

"Our general level of activity is keeping up, and we are not complaining about the current situation. But we are under tre-mendous price pressure because of the value of the pound. If the strength of the pound continues the situation is going to get more serious. Even on the home market we are facing increased competition because it's more attractive to look abroad."

Mr Parkinson believes it is time the government acted to give companies like his a break.

"The value of the pound and inflation rates are ridiculously high, and it is time they did something about reducing it," he says. "Because of our position as a second and third tier producer we don't export many products, but we are aware that competition from companies in Germany and France is making things tougher."

One area where the company has benefited from the German dominance of the market is in the quality of engineering ma-chines it produces. Mr Park-inson adds: "We bought a new machine from Germany a few months ago which has proved very advantageous."

In such a specialist short term market, the soaring pound will continue to have a major affect on the future of companies like Airedale Springs Ltd.

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