Members’ News
17 Jun 2021
New Managing Director appointed at HydraForce Ltd in Birmingham
HydraForce Hydraulics Ltd, BFPA member and manufacturer of high-performance hydraulic valves and manifold systems based in Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub, has appointed Jon Bradley as its new Managing Director.
Jon Bradley joined HydraForce as Director of Global Quality Excellence in 2016, where he was key in uplifting the quality and brand image of HydraForce globally, before being appointed to his latest position as Managing Director from 1st June 2021.
Mr Bradley started his career as an Engineering Apprentice, before he began his successful manufacturing career spanning more than thirty years in Aerospace, Automotive and Off Highway Hydraulic Engineering industries, based in both the UK and the USA.
US based Tim Twitty, Vice President of Operations at HydraForce, said: “We extend our gratitude and best wishes to our former MD, Tony Brown in his future endeavours and welcome Jon Bradley in his new position as Managing Director. This transition is a strategic step in accelerating the HydraForce Strategy (2×25), Mission, and Vision of striving to be our industries leading provider of high performing and innovative motion control solutions.”
HydraForce Ltd, based at their facility in Aston Hall Road, employs around 700 staff at present and is the American owned business’ European Headquarters. The UK-based division of the company is projecting sales of £124 million for 2021, far exceeding its budget of £101 million.
On his new appointment, Jon Bradley, said: “I am extremely honoured to be asked to follow in the footsteps of former Managing Directors Tony Brown and Peter Macdonald, extending the founder, Jim Brizzolara’s HydraForce legacy. HydraForce is a fantastic company to work for, with a great workforce, and I will continue to work with the team to deliver the benefits that my predecessors have put in place, carrying them out in the spirit of HydraForce.”
Case Studies and Hose Builder Features Added to HOS website
Hydraulic equipment supplier and BFPDA member, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies, have continued with recent investments as they look to further increase features on their website. The company, based in Sunderland in North-East England for over 30 years, launched their new site in January this year and have now created a dedicated case studies section and hose builder service to complement their current offering.
The case studies showcase various recent projects where they have helped clients with cylinder refurbishments, oil contamination issues and maintenance concerns, the online hose builder service enables users to submit details of their hose requirements, with over eight different types available, in order to receive a tailored quotation from their technical sales team.
Managing Director, Don Fenwick, commented, “We may have only launched the new website in January this year however we always wanted to continue with the investment and look to add features to the website to give our current and potential clients an easy to navigate and unique user experience. We have increased our marketing activities during the last year with the website having a pivotal role in the strategy, we’re looking to add further features in the coming months to ensure the site remains current and helpful for our clients.”
To view the latest features, please visit www.hos.co.uk
Just another day at the office with Air Force One
Lee Davis, Branch Manager and Rob Roseveare, Mobile Hose Technician from their Bodmin branch, were honoured to be on site at Newquay airport, providing mobile hose repair support at the G7 Summit last weekend.
Lee said: “We were there as support for AFS Aviation ground vehicles for the event such as tugs, generators, luggage handlers, aircraft steps, forklifts and various other pieces of equipment.”
Both Lee and Rob were situated just outside the main entrance into the airfield. They had a spectacular viewing position adjacent to where Air Force One and the smaller presidential C-32 Boeing 757 plane were parked, awaiting departure of President Biden, just on the other side of the fence about 100m away.
Lee said: “At one stage our mobile hose van was flanked by armed police on one side and the Korean military personnel the other side awaiting departure.”
“The highlight of the day was President Biden’s two Osprey helicopters, accompanying his Marine One and Two Sea King helicopters landing, and watching him exiting Marine One and being driven away in his motorcade.
“He then returned from his press meeting and passed us into the airfield to depart in his motorcade. The motorcade consisted of his amour plated Chevrolet Suburban; his electronic countermeasure Ford truck that counters IED; anti-tank guided missile and rocket propelled grenades; his private ambulance at the rear and various other vehicles filled with secret service personnel. He then boarded Air Force One and departed to meet the Queen at Windsor.”
Lee and Rob were fortunate to witness most of the VIPs and their entourage depart in planes varying from Boeing 747 to private jets and helicopters. They witnessed the American C-17 Globemaster aircraft landing and loading up the President’s motorcade vehicles and fuel tankers to be flown back to the USA. Lee said: “This was a very impressive aircraft indeed.”
Lee said: “The five days we were present at Newquay airport went without any major issues. We were there to cover in case of any hydraulic or hose problems.
“I live across the bay from the G7 summit in Carbis Bay. It was brilliant to see the Red Arrow Air Display over St Ives Bay on Saturday evening from home with my family. This was a very special moment.”
“I consider Hydroscand, myself and Rob to be very privileged to be part of such a significant and prestigious event, the likes Cornwall will probably never see again.”
Turner Hydraulic Group announces Fluid Engineering Partnership with HYDAC Technology Ltd to support sustainability
Newport-based BFPDA member Turner Hydraulic Group has announced a strategic Fluid Engineering partnership with Oxford-based BFPA member HYDAC Technology Ltd to focus on sustainable solutions.
HYDAC is a global firm that specialises in the manufacture and distribution of components and systems, as well as services related to hydraulics and fluid technologies. The HYDAC Fluid Engineering concept is designed for end-users to optimise and/or enhance the availability of machines and fluid technology plants and systems to lower their operating costs.
The HYDAC Fluid Engineering concept focuses on optimisation through:
- Energy Efficiency
- System Availability
- Process Reliability
- Conservation of Resources
The partnership will initially focus on two main streams. Firstly, Turner Hydraulics will co-create with HYDAC to develop future innovations with the aim of reducing waste, optimising consumption, and reducing CO2 output. Secondly, as the first HYDAC UK partner for sustainability, Turner Hydraulics will trial, test, and implement the co-created innovations, thus benefitting from the long-standing expertise HYDAC provides across the world.
Turner Hydraulics will be the first in the UK to trial these latest technologies and measure the impact on the industry with regards to sustainability KPIs such as: CO2 output, litres of fluid saved, and reduction in consumable usage.
Ian Turner, Managing Director of Turner Hydraulics said: “In an era of rising demand, sustainability is one of the critical challenges to the future of our industry and a key strategic priority for Turners. We are delighted to partner with HYDAC who are renowned worldwide.
“This is a really important partnership that can generate long-term benefits at a global scale. It reflects the key pillars of our business transformation: we want to lead the way in making the industry aware of the possibilities available in terms of reducing wastage. The partnership with HYDAC will assist in creating a community around changing the industry, delivered by Turners.
“We look forward to helping HYDAC in its ongoing efforts to shape the future of the hydraulics industry and inspire like-minded businesses around the UK.”
Steffan Grieve, HYDAC Service Division Manager said: “It’s great to have Turner Hydraulics on board for the new Fluid Engineering Partnership. HYDAC has been working with Turner Hydraulics for decades and the wealth of experience and knowledge we share helps us to provide an excellent service for our customers.
“It also helps us to promote sustainability and put it into practice. Improving efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing the reliability and availability of processes and systems is what we aim to do.
“Not only is this helping our customers to realise higher profitability, but it is also helping to conserve resources, therefore helping to reduce the negative impact our industry can have on our global environment.
“It is a pleasure to work with such like-minded people, who share the same goals and who we can collaborate with, share successes and replicate.”
www.turnerhydraulicgroup.co.uk
New Video From Webtec Explores Hydraulic Troubleshooting
Webtec, BFPA member and global specialist manufacturer of hydraulic measurement and control products, has released a new training video which focusses on troubleshooting when the unexpected happens.
Presented by industry expert Steve Skinner, this is the fifth video in Webtec’s Education Series and describes a logical step-by-step process to ensure that any problems are diagnosed and rectified as quickly and accurately as possible.
Using the ten-point suggested system, this training will enable personnel, with the right equipment, to diagnose unexpected breakdowns efficiently.
Webtec’s Education Series aims to help engineers increase their knowledge and skills in the hydraulics and fluid power industry and are all available free of charge from the companies’ website.
To view this and the full series of training videos please visit Webtec’s Education page at https://en.webtec.com/education/training-videos/
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