South Yorkshire environmental protection specialist celebrates 30 years with R&D investment

Barnsley based developer of specialised leak detection and environmental protection systems, Andel, is celebrating 30 years in business by investing further to develop its award-winning products.

In June 1992, the late Ian Pogson started the business from his garden shed creating a leak detection system “like no other on the market”. In the early days, Andel employed just a handful of staff to support the development and manufacturing of his new Floodline system.

The company increased tenfold in turnover becoming the biggest employer in Marsden before moving to larger more carbon-neutral premises near Barnsley.

Highlights of the past 30 years include winning the Queen’s Award for Innovation and becoming one of the success stories of the 2012 London Olympics, installing and commissioning several leak detection systems in the main stadium, the white water canoe course and the Olympic village.

Andel also installed its Floodline system in “prestigious” London buildings including the Shard, the Houses of Parliament, the O2, the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building and Canary Wharf.

Earlier this year, the Lord Mayor of Leeds welcomed Andel to the University of Leeds Nexus Innovation Hub and recently, the company won the Manufacturing Innovation at the Made in Sheffield awards.

The company claims to have always retained a “family-run feel” and Andel’s first employee, Julie Greenwood, became managing director. When she retired in 2019 Peter Double, who had started his career with Andel twenty years earlier, took her place.

He said: “Having worked here from such a young age, taking up the reins and helping the business grow is a privilege. Like many businesses, we’ve had our challenges, especially during the pandemic but we stuck together and worked through them.

“Andel has always had and will continue to have a “can do, will do” mentality. It has been important to continue with the legacy of those who come before us, but at the same time ensure a stable platform to grow the business.

“We are currently investing in R&D to develop our award-winning products which will allow future expansion not only in the UK but also in our export markets. With the move to more carbon-neutral offices in Dodworth, we’re on a path to a more sustainable future. It’s an honour to be celebrating such a milestone in Andel’s history.”