02/01/14
A new name has emerged in heat recovery. Air Design is an innovative manufacturer of air handling units (AHU) and heat recovery units (HRU) based in Netherton in the West Midlands. Part of the £90 million Elta Group, Air Design primarily fulfils the requirements of the Building Services market. With ranges encompassing the latest technologies in component parts – plug fans with variable speed drives, fans with EC motor control drives, high efficiency thermal wheels, plate-to-plate heat recovery, plug-and-play control options – Air Design also has the capabilities to meet the requirements of specialist and bespoke applications.
The new specialist supplier, is located in production and office premises in excess of 3000 square metres, close to Elta Group headquarters in Kingswinford. The production and office facilities are laid out with accuracy and flexibility in mind, keeping everything simple in order to maximise efficiency in meeting customers’ technical needs and demanding delivery schedules. In-house expertise With an emphasis on product quality, value and consistency, the Air Design range of AHUs is designed and manufactured with in-house systems developed to achieve and maintain the level of quality vital in manufactured products. Samples are continually inspected and assessed in order to ascertain what changes may be incorporated in the manufacturing process to improve the finished product.
All departments comply with the exacting quality procedures of ISO9001 to ensure that standards are maintained throughout and employees meet regularly to discuss ways of improving quality, assessing everything from the manufacturing process to customer service. To design and create the correct approach to customers’ needs is deep within the business culture, from initial sketch to final product. The expertise in air handling, through an accumulated knowledge of HVAC engineers and the extensive facilities of the larger parent Elta Group, allow the provision of support, guidance and an expertly engineered product.
Air Design has invested substantially in the latest selection software that offers full design verification against specification and provides comprehensive drawings for integration into customers building designs. Further investment in CAD driven production equipment facilitates the accurate assembly of AHUs from these drawings with competitive lead times to ensure the finished units satisfy the standards expected by customers. Energy Efficiency and Compliance With Government targets for reduction in carbon emissions and energy consumption from our buildings, tiered minimum efficiency requirements within legislation impact upon ventilation systems, these include the Energy related Products (ErP) Lot 6 and Lot 11.
The continued roll out of the ErP Directive and on-going UK Building Regulation updates will continue to influence AHU design and development. Working in tandem with its strategic partners, Air Design is committed to delivering energy efficient air handling solutions. This commitment is resulting in the company’s continued investment in more efficient and more technologically advanced products. Only by making such investments will the company ensure its clients are fully compliant and derive maximum benefit in terms of reduced running costs whilst helping to conserve the world’s finite resources. Wide ranging Air Design is extremely proud to have worked on a variety of prestigious projects. Units supplied by Air Design were installed in the dental facility at Dunbar Hospital in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland.
The company also provided an AHU for the supply ventilation of kitchens in the catering village at the London Olympics in 2012, serving the broadcasters, photographers and journalists bringing the Games to a worldwide audience. When Travelodge opened a combined store and hotel development with Topshop in Edinburgh’s retail heartland, it was Air Design that supplied the bespoke heat recovery equipment. As well as designing, manufacturing and supplying eight bespoke AHUs for Holywell Primary School in Hertfordshire, Air Design also supplied the latest in a series of AHUs to the University of Edinburgh. The bespoke unit for the university’s School of GeoSciences’ laboratory was custom-built to specific dimensions because of the size constraints on site. Key appointments Proud to be a British manufacturer, Air Design’s investment extends to its team of people, providing local manufacturing jobs, internal training and development. Additionally, new expertise from the marketplace has been integrated into the business with the appointment of two key personnel. Account Manager Mark Guider has joined with more than 20 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, having worked for several of the major equipment manufacturers and suppliers. On his appointment, Mark commented: “It is an exciting time, with the development of new products and the opportunity to service my area of responsibility – the Midlands – from a manufacturing facility actually based in the area. It is also great to be working for a British manufacturer who knows and understands the market. Guy Hammer joins Air Design as Specification and Projects Sales Manager. Guy has considerable experience and expertise working within the HVAC sector of the industry dealing with consultants, specifying authorities, design and build contractors and distribution outlets. He has enjoyed particular success working within the education sector.
His new role will be working with a number of named consultants and specifying bodies across the whole country in order to win greater specification of the company’s extensive and growing product range – following many projects from inception to completion. Building from a strong foundation Air Design’s combination of in-house technical expertise, advanced manufacturing facilities and experienced workforce dedicated to meeting the highest production standards, are just some of the reasons behind the business’s already growing reputation in AHU sales and service. The company will be working tirelessly in developing long term relationships, not only with customers but also with suppliers, believing them to be an integral part in the whole manufacturing chain. Ensuring the process begins with the highest quality materials and components is key in ensuring the absolute quality of finished units.