A GROWING Keighley company has won national acclaim.

Wheatlands Aire Valley Engineering (Wave) Ltd has scooped the inaugural Cooling Industry Business of the Year Award.

The Cavendish Street firm, founded just three years ago, has already built up a client base featuring several big-name retailers – including Aldi, Asda, Proudfoot Group and Walmart.

And it is looking to further expand.

Currently, Wave employs 15 people – including four in Bangalore, India.

That number is set to rise as the company, which provides refrigeration design and project support consultancy services, seeks to step-up recruitment locally.

“An aspiration is to recruit a local trainee to the business every year,” said Wave founder and director James Bailey.

“I am very proud to be from Keighley and am keen to recruit locally wherever possible.

“We have grown rapidly throughout 2017 and this year. In 2018 we have enjoyed a healthy turnover of £1 million and we aim to continue our growth next year, with other retailers here and in the overseas market.

“Our turnover has grown ten-fold and we continue to reinvest profit into staff and business development.

“The ultimate vision for Wave is to play a pivotal ethical role in reducing food wastage and optimising energy consumption through clean cooling.We’re delighted to receive national recognition.”

He thanked two Keighley companies for the support they have provided - IT firm Cosurica, and Tax Assist Accountants.

Wave’s national accolade follows hot on the heels of a prestigious district honour earlier this year, when the company was named Manufacturer/Engineering Business of the Year at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards.

“Receiving this accolade was a very proud moment for us,” said Mr Bailey.

Wave has a four-strong UK technical engineering team, which includes two chartered engineers and a trainee. There is also a five-member project management team.

Operational support comes from operations manager Sarah Scarth and business administrator Ellie Clare, who is training to be a project manager.

Wave’s Bangalore team members are all engineering graduates, who specialised in refrigeration as part of their studies. They have been providing consultancy services to Walmart’s Indian venture, Best Price.

Wave is blazing a trail in several areas of technology development, including the application of so-called A2L refrigerants for use within the retail industry. The company has also built charity links, and supports counselling service Relate in Keighley.