Carpet giant Interface is set to floor the opposition with its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Shelf.

Bosses of the firm came from across the world to see the massive new warehouse yesterday made with 7,000 tons of material recycled from demolished parts of the mill.

The new building is part three of a £5 million five phase development to reconstruct the site which currently employs 250 people.

Project manager Milena Winfield said: "We have taken great care to evaluate every part of or operation in Shelf and to plan every aspect of the development very carefully, in particular from an environmental standpoint."

Shelf Mills began business back in 1898 when two brothers began trading in textile by-products and wool and cotton waste.

The firm turned to carpet making during the war when they cashed in on a national shortage.

By the mid 1980s Illingworths' parent company Carpets International was struggling and was taken over by American firm Interface.

Donald Russell, senior vice-president and director of operations at Interface, told the gathering how the firm's philosophy was to be a good employer.

Part of this thinking included an £11,000 investment in Shelf Village Hall in 1994 prior to planning permission being granted by Calderdale Council.

The funding reversed a decision to shut the hall.

"We are trying to create an environment where people want to get up in the morning to work," said Mr Russell.

Calderdale mayor Alan Worth told the T&A: "I am very impressed that not only are they creating jobs in the area but also showing confidence and faith in the work force in this area."

Council leader Pam Warhurst said she hoped it would spur on other firms to take a better ecological stance.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.