Rotherham- based mechanical services company Airmaster has won the coveted industry ‘Oscar’, the RAC Contractor of the Year award.

More than 600 of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry elite came together for a night of recognition and celebration of the sector’s achievements in a glittering ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton in London.

Airmaster, who from their base in South Yorkshire work with big-name clients like Not on the High Street nationwide, was praised by the RAC Cooling Industry Awards expert judging panel.

The judges said: “We found this year’s entries to be of an exceptional standard, but in the end, it was Airmaster who took the laurels for its holistic approach to the business of cooling.

“The judges particularly liked the company’s enthusiasm for accreditation and the work Airmaster is doing for skills- in schools, in apprenticeships, in real ‘lifelong learning’ and in promoting women in refrigeration. Airmaster set the benchmark for the industry.”

MD Lisa Pogson who collected the award on the night on behalf of the team of 36, said: “To be told you are the best in the industry at what you do is such a privilege and an honour.

“We are all thrilled that the hard work, dedication to quality and expertise our team of brilliant staff offer all our clients.  Our customer service is key – from commercial clients, manufacturers and educational teams to fit out contractors, retail and facilities teams, right across to domestic customers – that service now been recognised nationally.

“This award comes hot on the heels of our business development manager, Ian Fisher, being chosen from more than 130 national entrants as one of 40 UK role models for the construction industry, so we are celebrating our exceptional team twice now.”

Andrew Gaved, editor-in-chief of RAC Magazine said: “The fantastic showcase of technology and best practice we saw at the Awards shows that the cooling industry is continuing to thrive, whatever the politicians throw at us.”

Now 24 years old, the RAC Cooling Industry Awards are widely considered the most authoritative awards in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The awards provide industry recognition and unrivalled networking opportunities.