One of the district’s leading manufacturing companies, which shed workers during the downturn, has bounced back and boosted its workforce by around 200 people.

Denso Marston, which makes engine cooling systems for most of the world’s major truck, tractor and electric generation industries, now employs more than 700 staff at its Otley Road, Shipley, site.

The company, since 1989 part the Denso Group – one of Japan’s top three companies – is benefiting from a boom in demand for its products as international customers re-stock.

Two years ago the firm, which used to make car radiators, laid off more than 140 shop floor, clerical and managerial staff following a slump in demand which left one of its giant production lines standing idle.

Now Denso Marston is operating three shifts and has in the past 12 months recruited around 200 local people, mainly agency workers. The firm has appointed 50 people on permanent contracts and is also looking to recruit up to 15 skilled design, process and application engineers.

Head of HR Bev Sagar said: “We’ve bounced back from the bad times a couple of years ago when we unfortunately had to reduce the workforce to below 500. Now we’re back above 700 again and the future is looking bright.”

  • Read the full story in Friday’s T&A