A MANUFACTURING company which is set to create up to 200 jobs when it opens its biggest plant in Bradford has celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

Airedale by Modine welcomed more than 800 employees and their family and friends to its Rawdon headquarters over the weekend to mark the special occasion. 

Last month, Airedale purchased a huge site off Tong Street, and plans to have the new manufacturing centre operational by the end of the year.

The company, which produces cooling systems for data centres, said its new site would help boost output by 150 per cent, with the new jobs to be created over the next three to five years.

Airedale was formed in 1974 following a chance meeting of two air conditioning engineers, Alan Duttine and Peter Midgley, at Leeds Bradford Airport.

The company, which was sold to US company Modine in 2005, has gone from strength to strength over the years.

Airedale’s half-century celebrations included street food, live music, bouncy castles, magic shows and facility tours, allowing staff to show off their workplace to their families and friends. 

Adrian Trevelyan, who leads Airedale, said: “I was delighted to be able to welcome so many employees, along with their friends and family, to our site for our 50th anniversary party.

“We have reached this milestone because of the expertise, experience and dedication of our workforce and it is important we celebrate this together.

“It was also a great opportunity to showcase engineering as a career option to younger generations.”

He added: “Having started at Airedale in production many years ago, I am extremely proud to lead this business.

“This landmark birthday marks the start of another exciting chapter of boldness and innovation for us, cementing Airedale’s place as a pioneer of manufacturing and engineering in Yorkshire.”

After Airedale announced the purchase of its new 14.6 acre manufacturing site in Bradford, the news was welcomed by local leaders. 

Mark Cowgill, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “This investment from Airedale into Bradford is incredibly welcome.

“The new facility will create hundreds of well-paid and highly skilled jobs in the city.

“Airedale’s investment is yet further proof of Bradford’s highly diverse capability as an economic powerhouse.”

Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, added: “Bradford is an exceptional place to do business.

“We are delighted to welcome Airedale and to have supported them with this move.”