Airedale – 30 years on

Airedale
30 years on — Alan Duttine, OBE, (left) and Peter Midgley, who founded Airedale International Air Conditioning, with a painting of the factory at Rawdon near Leeds.
Nearly 400 staff joined the founders of Airedale International Air Conditioning at the Leeds factory in the middle of June to celebrate 30 years of what has grown to become the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of air-conditioning systems. Established in 1974 by joint managing directors Peter Midgley and Alan Duttine, OBE, Airedale supplies chillers, close-control and comfort products for defence, retail, finance, healthcare, tele-communciations, leisure and manufacturing. The company now employs nearly 500 people and exports to over 70 countries world-wide. Airedale experienced massive growth in the late 1970s and early 1980s as large computer systems were installed by banks, insurance companies and the relatively new credit-card companies. The company also benefited from projects in the Middle East as oil-rich companies developed their infrastructures. The company was a pioneer of R407C, which it developed with the then ICI Klea company. All Airedale products are available with R407C as the standard refrigerant. The company has also invested heavily in developing controls systems, and the AIRETronix system supports advanced operation of systems and individual components. Total customer support is complete by Airedale Service to provide after-sales support, including commissioning, extended maintenance, planned maintenance and round-the-clock emergency cover.
Related links:



modbs tv logo

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning becomes GENERAL HVAC Solutions UK

Fujitsu General Air Conditioning (UK) has become GENERAL HVAC Solutions UK from 1st January 2026, strengthening its long-term position within the global Paloma Rheem Holdings (PRH) group.

Market performance indicates encouraging signs for future of BEMS sector

Highlighting an increased desire from property developers, architects and designers to decarbonise the UK’s building stock through the specification and implementation of building controls and automation, the building energy management systems (BEMS) market showed steady progress in Q3 – rising 2.6% compared to the previous quarter.