A RAWDON-BASED air conditioning company has bucked the economic trend of 2020 despite the lockdown with a significant capital and jobs investment.

Airedale International has a predicted end of year of forecast that shows continued and substantial growth. It now plans to invest nearly £1million in new plant equipment that will further improve efficiency and support increased production.

The state- of-the-art manufacturing facility, which currently offers 24 hour production during the working week, is expanding its capacity in response to continued and sustained demand.

Since the start of the first lockdown, Airedale said it has recruited the equivalent of 39 full time staff members, along with increasing the number of temporary workers from six to 20 members of staff and this growth in headcount is also set to continue over the next 12 months.

It has a predicted 70 per cent growth by March 2022 and, with further significant investment planned in capital equipment and headcount over the forthcoming year, their UK manufacturing plant is busier than ever.

In a year that saw new challenges for businesses, Airedale International has had to adopt new covid-19 secure rules - meaning reduced production volume in the Spring. Later a significant number of changes were made that allowed production to continue at normal levels whilst reducing the risk of virus transmission, including the introduction of a three shift work pattern, allowing for fewer people in the building at any one time without reducing overall output.

With an investment of nearly a quarter of a million pounds in IT hardware, more members of the team were able to work remotely.

Managing Director Tony Cole said: “We recognise that 2020 has been an extremely tough year and we are sensitive to the fact that many businesses have struggled. We have decided to share news of our continued growth to demonstrate that UK manufacturing is still an exciting and prosperous place to be.

“We have been steadfast in our approach to growth, whilst being flexible in how we implement our strategy, allowing for the uncertainty that 2020 has presented. What is certain is that as we continue to support our UK customers with both new products and aftersales support, demand continues to grow for the Airedale name and the quality and efficiency associated with it.”

Tony added: "In a year that saw our largest ever single order at circa £10m, we are excited about the future, especially once the hurdles of this virus have been overcome."