Company's move to Bradford site to create 200 jobs

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

The announcement has been described as “incredibly welcome” for Bradford’s economy, with the city’s Chamber of Commerce saying it is “proof of Bradford’s capability as an economic powerhouse.”

The company, which produces cooling systems for data centres, says the new site will help boost its output by 150 per cent, and create 200 jobs over the next three to five years.

The company announced the purchase of the 14.6 acre manufacturing site off Dawson Lane on Tuesday. The purchase includes 29,000m2 of existing manufacturing space, with additional land offering opportunity for further expansion.

The site is currently used by Hallmark as office space and a distribution centre.

Hallmark says the office jobs will remain, but distribution will be consolidated with other Hallmark sites in West Yorkshire.

But Airedale says: “The previous owner will continue to operate from there until the end of September 2024.

“Production of the first Airedale by Modine units in Bradford is estimated to commence in December 2024 once the site has been re-configured.”

A Hallmark spokesperson said: "Hallmark is delighted to have reached a leaseback agreement with Airedale that sees Hallmark retain its office presence on the Bradford site. Hallmark has taken this opportunity to consolidate its warehouse and distribution operations into its other site in West Yorkshire."

A statement from Leeds based Airedale said the site will “deliver increased production, test, office and storage capabilities.”

It added: “The addition of the site to Airedale by Modine’s UK manufacturing footprint will see the Bradford site specialising in the production and testing of precision air conditioning equipment, like computer room air handlers and fan walls. Airedale by Modine’s existing Leeds facility will focus on chiller production, with the move set to increase the company’s data center cooling production capability in the UK by 150 per cent.”

Adrian Trevelyan, Managing Director, said: “This is another exciting chapter in Airedale by Modine’s history as we open this huge production facility close to our state-of-the-art headquarters in Leeds.Adrian Trevelyan (Image: Airedale)

“Having available plant capacity is crucial as data center operators are looking to secure production slots in advance as their development plans grow.

“Although we are in a comfortable position now across Europe and the US, we are receiving strong signals that more capacity will be needed as the demand for digital applications grows.

“The new site increases our production and testing capacity, bringing recruitment and training opportunities to Bradford, replicating what we have done already in Leeds.

“The support we have received from Bradford City Council from initial enquiry to completing the purchase has been invaluable.”

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 said: “Bradford is an exceptional place to do business.

“We are delighted to welcome Airedale by Modine and to have supported them with this move. The business will join our thriving manufacturing sector, bringing with them the opportunity for 200 new highly-skilled jobs.

“We have an incredible team at the Council committed to encouraging innovation across the district and supporting businesses looking to start-up, relocate or expand, which underpins our ongoing work to grow the local economy.”