AN independent chemical business has completed a transformation.

Cross Hills-based Airedale Chemical has been steadily acquiring businesses since 2015.

Now the companies are collectively known as the Airedale Group.

And as a final step in the development, the 20-strong fleet of vehicles has undergone a £40,000 rebrand.

The group now comprises Airedale Solutions, which provides chemical filling and packing; food and beverage ingredient distributor Rigest, metal surface treatment specialist Alutech and Airedale Chemical.

Daniel Fox, operations director at Airedale Chemical, said: “There have been a lot of exciting changes with the business over the last few years and to see our fleet – which is a familiar sight on roads across the country every day, making around 32,000 deliveries a year – in its new branding is really satisfying. All our drivers feel a great sense of pride driving these lorries on behalf of the company.

“As we own our low-emission fleet, we can maintain total control and flexibility in delivery of our products as soon as they’re needed – which, in some instances, is the next day.

“So our tankers are an essential element in the success of the business and very much the customer-facing front of Airedale Chemical. Therefore, it was important to us that they reflect the Airedale family of businesses.”

The fleet rebranding follows a strong start to the year for the business and a positive ‘bounce back’ from the challenges of 2020. Sales and demand across the company’s customer base have increased.

The sales boost came after a refocussing by the firm, shifting its emphasis from high-volume manufacturing to more speciality products.

Last year ended on a high, with investment in a new website and a modernised production facility – with 30 per cent more capacity.

Airedale Chemical was also given a lift with the emergence of a post-Brexit market for UK-manufactured biocides – an area which has been key since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Airedale Chemical has been based in Cross Hills since 1994.

It provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including agriculture, dairy, water treatment and waste management.

The company has given its support to annual Bradford Manufacturing Weeks, when firms across the district link-up with schools and colleges to promote potential future careers within the industry.