Global tributes for co-founder of air conditioning giant Airedale

Peter Midgley, a founder of Airedale Air Conditioning, died on January 12 following complications associated with vascular dementia – a condition he had been suffering from for several years.

His son, Andrew Midgley, said the family has been “touched” by the response to the news of his father’s passing and added that they have had an “overwhelming response” from far and wide.

“We’ve been contacted by ex-colleagues and contacts in this country and from America, all expressing their sadness and shock,” Mr Midgley said.

Peter Midgley set up Airedale Air Conditioning with Alan Duttine OBE in 1974. The business went on to flourish, eventually becoming a leading international manufacturer of chillers and precision air conditioning.

Andrew Midgley said: “He was immensely proud of what he achieved with Airedale. It was his baby.

“Having started it from scratch with Alan they were so proud of its success – offering employment to 450 people, opening sites in South Africa and Philadelphia, and of course that it remains a thriving business today.”

Mr Midgley met Mr Duttine while he was a draughtsman at Crofts Engineering. Despite striking up a successful partnership, they were two very different people.

Mr Midgley said: “Alan and my dad were actually very different people – and not just in stature –they complemented each other perfectly in a business sense.

“They did play rugby together briefly for Bingley but otherwise it was more about the business – they had a very strong working relationship.

“Alan concentrated more on the business side and my dad was the one who looked after the staff – one wouldn’t have worked without the other.”