Peter Midgley 1944-2018

UK: Peter Midgley, co-founder of Leeds-based air conditioning manufacturer Airedale International, has died at the age of 74.

Peter Midgley founded Airedale in 1974 with fellow Yorkshireman, Alan Duttine OBE, and remained joint managing director, until the sale of the business to Modine Manufacturing in May 2005. Alan Duttine passed away in 2015. Between them Peter Midgley and Alan Duttine were the heartbeat of Airedale.

Airedale began life operating in Batley, before moving to premises off the Leeds West Park Ring Road in 1976 which later became and continues to be known as Airedale House. As the business continued to prosper, Airedale relocated to Park Mills, Rawdon in 1979, with the construction of a new factory completed and opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent in 1984. Airedale remains today at the Rawdon site.

A statement from the company said: “During his career Peter will be remembered for his larger than life character by customers, Airedale staff and all that knew him. Well known, and revered throughout the region and industry, Peter was a real people person, approachable, warm, with an infectious sense of humour.”

Airedale managing director, Tony Cole, said: “We are tremendously sad at the passing of Peter. He will be remembered fondly by us all at Airedale. He, along with Alan, had a sizeable vision in recognising the opportunities for specialised computer room cooling, a market which still sees us prosper today.

“Many of our employees have worked in the company since the early days and benefited from Peter and Alan’s approach of investing in people. They and I, will remember Peter fondly. We send our deepest sympathies to Peter’s family at this very sad time.”

Details of Peter’s celebration of life will follow in due course via www.airedale.com.

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