Our History

Explore our legacy of over 35 years in delivering reliable, high-quality air handling units

With more than 35 years of experience, Air Handlers Northern has built a strong reputation for designing and manufacturing high-quality air handling units. From our early beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the HVAC industry, we have continually invested in innovation, engineering expertise, and customer-focused solutions.

Over the decades, our product range has evolved to meet changing industry standards and project requirements, while our commitment to reliability, efficiency, and service has remained constant. This long-standing history reflects not only our technical capability but also the trust and loyalty of our customers across the UK and beyond.

Built on experience. Driven by innovation.

Air Handlers began its journey in May 1989, but the story really starts earlier with its founder, David Pinchbeck. David learned his craft at Metair, a respected name in the air handling industry, where he gained valuable experience in ventilation, acoustics, and building services. When Metair was acquired by Biddle in 1989, David chose to take his expertise and vision in a new direction – establishing Air Handlers Northern Ltd. to provide high-quality, bespoke air handling equipment to the UK building services industry.

Early Years in Manchester

From its beginnings, Air Handlers was based in the shadow of Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Those early years were shaped by dedication, hard work, and a growing reputation for quality manufacturing. In 1992, the company delivered one of its most iconic projects: a 72 m³/s air handling unit for Procter & Gamble, constructed on site. Remarkably, much of this system remains in service today – a testament to the durability and engineering excellence that define Air Handlers.

Large-Scale Projects in the 1990s

The success of the Procter & Gamble installation established Air Handlers as a trusted partner for ambitious, technically demanding projects. Throughout the 1990s, we went on to deliver a number of large-scale systems across the UK, including:

Major healthcare facilities, where reliability and air quality were paramount.
University campuses and research centres, requiring highly specialised ventilation solutions.
Industrial plants and manufacturing facilities, where bespoke high-volume AHUs were engineered to meet unique process needs.
Commercial office developments, where energy efficiency and comfort were central to design.

Even in this period, we were ahead of industry standards, integrating high-efficiency heat recovery systems into our AHUs to significantly reduce energy consumption. This commitment to low-energy design not only delivered cost savings for clients but also reflected our early role as pioneers of low-carbon engineering solutions in the HVAC industry.

By 2000, as Manchester United expanded Old Trafford, we relocated from our original base, marking a new chapter in our journey.

Growth and Expansion

That same year, we moved into our purpose-built, 60,000 sq. ft. factory in Salford Quays. This facility gave us the capacity to expand our services – from design and estimating through to manufacturing and testing – all under one roof.

A Commitment to Engineering Excellence

With state-of-the-art technology and an in-house sheet metal fabrication and finishing facility, we are able to deliver bespoke, tailor-made air handling units that meet virtually limitless specifications.

This flexibility has enabled us to work with clients across the UK, supporting projects in commercial, healthcare, education, and industrial sectors. Crucially, we have always been focused on developing energy-efficient, low-carbon products.

By integrating heat recovery systems, high-efficiency fans, and innovative controls, Air Handlers has consistently produced solutions that minimise environmental impact and reduce building carbon footprints. Long before sustainability became an industry requirement, we were delivering it as standard.

Investing in the Future

In 2022, we invested heavily in the latest manufacturing machinery. This strategic move has allowed us to increase production speed while maintaining the highest levels of quality and precision. It reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and ensures that Air Handlers remains at the forefront of the HVAC manufacturing industry.

Responding to a Changing World

In 2023, as the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shaped new standards in healthcare, Air Handlers rose to the challenge. We delivered high-standard, specialist air handling equipment for hospitals and healthcare facilities, helping to improve resilience, infection control, and patient safety. This surge in healthcare projects has continued through to the present day, reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in one of the most demanding and critical sectors.

Over Three Decades of Success

For more than 30 years, Air Handlers has been proud to support the building services industry. From modest beginnings in Manchester to our purpose-built facility in Salford Quays, our journey has been defined by growth, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the decades, we have built a reputation for delivering reliable, durable, and efficient air handling solutions — equipment that not only meets today’s standards but often continues performing decades later.

Our portfolio now spans thousands of installations across the UK, serving sectors as diverse as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, manufacturing, and commercial development. Each project, whether a small bespoke unit or a large-scale, on-site installation, has contributed to the trust we have earned from contractors, consultants, and end users alike. This long-standing track record of success is a reflection of our dedicated workforce, our engineering expertise, and our close partnerships with clients who share our drive for quality and innovation.

Looking Ahead

While much has changed since 1989, our core values remain unchanged:
engineering excellence, customer focus, and a belief in continuous improvement. As the building services industry evolves to meet the challenges of energy efficiency, sustainability, and tighter health and safety standards, we are committed to staying ahead of the curve.

Our ongoing investment in advanced manufacturing technology and our pioneering work in low-carbon engineering will ensure that our products continue to help clients meet their sustainability targets. By delivering low-energy, reduced-footprint solutions, Air Handlers is proud to support the transition to a low-carbon future.

Above all, Air Handlers remains a company driven by people – the expertise of our engineers, the commitment of our staff, and the leadership of David Pinchbeck, whose vision continues to guide us. With over three decades of proven success behind us and an exciting future ahead, we are proud to remain one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of low-carbon, energy-efficient air handling equipment.