PDS Ltd Reclaims Its Roots in Rochdale, Doubles Turnover and Targets £25M Growth

Posted by on 10 Apr 2025

Performance Doorset Solutions (PDS) Ltd, a leading force in security and fire door manufacturing, is proving that with the right people, place, and purpose, anything is possible.       
                                     
Since its 2019 management buyout, the Rochdale-based business has more than doubled its turnover to £16 million, created over 90 new jobs, and set its sights on reaching £25 million within the next three years. And it’s doing it all from the same borough where its story first began.

Founded in 2003 in Littleborough, Rochdale PDS earned its early success by supplying high-quality, bespoke doors tailored for the UK’s social housing market. Its growth drew the attention of a US-based corporation, which acquired the firm in 2015. But as the business lost touch with its bespoke roots, performance declined. By 2019, with turnover at just £7.9 million and the future uncertain, founder Tim Fairley and 14 other stakeholders stepped in to reclaim the business and its values.

“Rochdale is where PDS started, and Rochdale is where we rebuilt,” said Tim Fairley, Managing Director. “We had the skills, the infrastructure, and the community support. All we needed was the belief.”

That belief has paid off. The company now employs over 150 people—more than doubling its workforce—and has become a prime example of how Rochdale businesses are leading with purpose and impact.

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PDS’s resurgence is deeply rooted in Rochdale’s strengths. Access to a skilled local workforce, a supportive business ecosystem, and a community-first mindset have been pivotal. The company works closely with local colleges, the RDA and the council to build clear pathways for young talent to join and grow within the business through apprentices schemes.

“We don’t just recruit for experience—we recruit for drive,” said Tim. “And Rochdale has that in abundance. This community understands hard work and collaboration, and we see it every day in our team.”

From the borough’s central location and supply chain access to the region’s investment in advanced manufacturing, Rochdale has provided the right environment for sustainable, long-term growth.

Quality, Compliance, and Confidence

In response to tighter fire safety regulations post-Grenfell, PDS invested over £500,000 into independent fire testing, third-party certification, and research. These efforts ensure its products don’t just meet—but exceed—industry standards. That commitment to compliance and quality has driven customer trust and business expansion.

With new in-house capabilities—including machinery that allows the company to manufacture its own door blanks, rather than rely on external suppliers—PDS has boosted supply chain resilience and product quality while reducing delivery times.

PDS Ltd is one of many success stories in Rochdale’s thriving business community, helping to drive job creation, investment, and innovation across the borough. As businesses continue to grow and prosper, they are reinforcing Rochdale’s reputation as a great place to live, work, play and invest.