Airedale factory is regional best

UK: The innovative design of Airedale’s new factory in Rawdon, Leeds, has seen the air conditioning manufacturer win through to the national final of the RICS Awards.

The factory, rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 2013, won the Design through Innovation category at last night’s Yorkshire and Humber regional heat at Leeds United FC and now goes through to the final in London in November.

The annual awards presented by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are designed to showcase the achievements of the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

Airedale’s new building – home to over 300 staff – has significantly increased the company’s production capacity and is home to the largest R&D facility of its kind in northern Europe.

The judges said of the award: “The commercial pressure of losing their primary manufacturing plant in a devastating blaze in September 2013 was the driving force for Airedale International Air Conditioning to create their cutting edge new facility in Rawdon.

“The judges were impressed with innovative approach to using BIM, allowing off site manufacture and fast track installation of building services, dramatically cutting the construction programme.

“The impressive new research and development facilities allow one of Yorkshire’s premiere [sic] manufacturers to continue to lead the world market in their industry.”

Airedale, along with the other seven Yorkshire and Humber category winners, will now compete with winners from 11 other regions at the RICS Awards final at London’s InterContinental Hotel on November 2.