The 50th anniversary of Laisterdyke-based Thorite branching out into pneumatics has been celebrated.

The company is now the biggest independent distributor of compressed air, vacuum and process products in the UK.

Thomas Wright, the father of current managing director, Stephen, took a the decision in 1960 to open Thorite Pneumatics in Leeds.

Over the years Thorite became synonymous with anything powered by compressed air, and the company’s success led to the opening of centres in Blackburn, Bolton, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rochdale and Sheffield.

Stephen Wright said: “I am enjoying carrying on a tradition, with Thorite now a national brand which is as happy designing electro-pneumatic automated systems as it is providing a new energy-efficient compressor for the local garage.”