Brighouse-based family-owned Denford Ltd  marks 80 years in business

Brighouse-based Denford Ltd was officially incorporated in March 1944 by engineer Horace Denford.

Now, as the company marks its landmark year, it has reflected on an intriguing history that might not have involved Calderdale had it not been for the outbreak of war.

Having relocated to Yorkshire from London to escape the Blitz bombing campaign, Horace established Denford Engineering at Box Tree Mills in Halifax.

The following decade brought about the move to the company's current home town when it relocated to Birds Royd in Brighouse.

It was an era in which West Yorkshire reverberated to the sound of heavy industry. As many manufacturers fell by the wayside, Denford stood the test of time.

Founder, Horace Denford (Image: Denford Ltd)

In 2010, the company moved to its current premises, an 18,500 sq. ft facility on Armytage Road Industrial Estate, in Brighouse - not far from Junction 25 of the M62 in the Clifton area of the town.

Over its eight decades in business, the company has gained a renowned reputation as a specialist provider of educational machine tools – famous for its Viceroy lathes which were a staple in many Design & Technology classrooms, its pioneering introduction of Computer Numerical Controlled machines to education, and its founding of the international F1 in Schools STEM competition, for which it is the official equipment supplier.

The Denford and F1 in Schools teams outside their office on Armytage Industrial Estate, Brighouse (Image: Denford Ltd)

Now supplying to over 80 countries across globe, the company’s reach expands far beyond its Yorkshire roots, with Denford machines present in some of the most prestigious organisations in the world, including University of Columbia, UCL, YAS Marina Circuit, and Herriott Watt University.

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Denford is set to launch a new website in the summer of 2024.

An aerial image of the current Denford office and factory. (Image: Denford Ltd)

Marking the start of an exciting era in its business and brand, the development will see the integration of ecommerce to enable customers to buy a range of Denford’s most popular products online, alongside the introduction of several other new features.

Andrew Denford, Chief Executive of Denford, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to have been in business for eight decades, and something we’re incredibly proud of.

"As one of the last remaining manufacturers of CNC machines in the UK, we are committed to ensuring the next generation of engineers is provided with the equipment and knowledge to flourish in industry, and we look forward to seeing what the next 80 years bring, both for Denford, and the students we support.”

The F1 in Schools project has been a huge success