HAWORTH manufacturer Airedale Springs has strengthened its board of directors.

Sue Brook, who joined the company in 2011 as business development manager, has been promoted to commercial director.

She oversaw the firm's move into its £3.5 million purpose-built factory, constructed after the previous base was destroyed by fire in 2010.

And Sean Parkinson, a director of the company for more than 15 years, has taken over as managing director.

Chairman Tim Parkinson, Sean's older brother, said: "Sue has a wealth of management experience from both the construction and manufacturing sectors.

"She played a central role in the planning of our new factory, putting her many years' experience in the construction industry to good use, ensuring we received the factory to specification and on time.

"Sue is held in high regard by colleagues and customers alike and her new responsibilities as commercial director are integral to the ongoing success of the business.

"I am confident she will continue to be a great asset as we look to develop our commercial activities going forward."

Tim said he was delighted that 49-year-old Sean had stepped into the MD role.

"Airedale Springs has always been good at planning for the future and as the average age of our production team has reduced in recent years it is only right that the board of directors reflects this change," he said.

"Sean, who has held the position of commercial director for five years, has been appointed MD to reflect his wider responsibilities.

"He is more than capable of taking this important step in leading the next generation of family and friends to continued business success.

"Working with family and friends is often regarded as a mistake, but in my experience it is a privilege – it engenders a common purpose and potent force for business success.

"I am confident these changes will only further strengthen our business for the future."

Airedale Springs supports the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering centre of excellence at Keighley College, run as a partnership between employers, Bradford Council and Oakbank School, which aims to produce the next generation of engineers.

It is also backing a new West Yorkshire school which will focus on the sector.

UTC Leeds will take pupils from across the Leeds City Region, including Keighley and the rest of the Bradford district.

It is due to launch in September.

Tim is keen for youngsters to consider careers in manufacturing and engineering to safeguard the future of the sector in the region.

"Finding people with the correct skills and talents is an ever-increasing challenge for those of us working in engineering and manufacturing," he said.

"We need our young people to seriously consider working towards careers in our industries.

"The opportunities for them are superb and they could play a critical role in ensuring the continued success of businesses like ours."

UTC, which is targeting teenage girls to make up at least 30 per cent of its student intake, will be based at the Braime Pressings factory in Hunslet Road.