Airedale factory rises from the ashes
UK: The reconstruction of the Airedale International factory, destroyed by fire in September 2013, is well on course for completion later this year.
The new £25m facility, being built on the site of the original building in Rawdon, Leeds, will include manufacturing, a technology centre and administrative facilities. A phased return of departments is expected during the latter part of this year, with all departments due to be fully operational in the new facility in early 2016.
As these photos show, much progress has been made since the site was levelled and construction began just eight months ago.
It seems a far cry from that fateful Friday afternoon in September 2013 when around 20 fire engines and 100 firefighters attended the blaze which destroyed large parts of the factory.
It is said that the building’s new internal layout will allow a more logical and efficient flow to operations, with all production and testing sited on a single storey and under one roof.
In addition to a new production shop floor, the proposed new building will include a greatly enhanced r&d and test centre – with the capability to test larger products – offices and training facilities.
“We are all looking forward to returning to our new facility and to continuing to build on our many successes of 2014/2015,” commented Airedale md Clive Parkman.
