Hydram Engineering is pleased to announce that it has attained certification to Bonding Standard DIN 6701-2, the accreditation for the use of adhesive bonding in the manufacture of rail vehicles and parts of rail vehicles.
DIN 6701 is a series of standards comprising a comprehensive set of rules for quality assurance in the field of bonding and adhesives use in the rail vehicle industry. Companies who achieve the certification can demonstrate that they can safely use the full potential of adhesive bonding technology.
“This rail bonding standard is a must-have accreditation for winning new work in the rail sector and Hydram is only the third business in the UK to have gained it,” says Managing Director David Greatorex. “Earlier this year we sent two employees to the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany for their training to become European Adhesive Specialists, and a dedicated project team was established to enable us to qualify for the standard.”
Requirements to comply with this DIN standard include demonstrating proof of officially recognised qualifcations in adhesive bonding, a suitable quality management system, documentation for key bonded joints, suitable workplaces and many others.
Hydram was assessed by TBBCert during a full day audit in early December and qualified for the standard on its first attempt.
Bonding in Rail Vehicle Manufacture
Over the past 20 years there has been rapid growth in the use of adhesive bonding technology. The transport vehicle manufacturing sector is one of the key areas where adhesives have been used to bring about enormous technological advancement. Rail vehicles, like planes, cars and ships, have become ever lighter due to the use of adhesives. The advantages of adhesive bonding for transport vehicles are higher speeds, lower fuel consumption, greater comfort and more efficient manufacturing.
The use of adhesives in the rail vehicle manufacturing sector has become a genuine alternative to traditional joining techniques such as rivetting and welding. The reduction in vehicle weight, improved space usage, new design opportunities, less corrosion and easier repairs and disassembly have made adhesive bonding attractive in this sector. Lighter weight rail vehicles which can withstand higher loads – this is an objective which many manufacturers achieve using adhesive bonding technology.
DIN 6701-2 Standard
Adhesive bonds on rail vehicles have differing safety requirements. For this reason, the DIN 6701-2 standard, which was published in May 2006 by the German Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (Federal Railway Authority), was declared to represent the current state of the art in February 26, 2008. Companies that want to offer bonded products or related services in accordance with the standard must have the relevant production facilities audited and certified.
Hydram Serving the Rail Sector
Hydram is a leading supplier of sheet metal components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK. The metal fabrication company has become particularly successful in the railway rolling stock and trackside location case industries. The company provides the full range of subcontract engineering services, including laser cutting, metal bending, metal fabrication and welding, powder coating and assembly.
Hydram is also certified to the following standards:
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard
- ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Standard
- ISO 45001:2018 Health and Safety Standard
- ISO 3834-2:2005 Welding Standard
- BS EN 15085-1 Welding CWRVC Standard
More Certification Info >
EN 17460 Update
UPDATE: As of April 2024, Hydram has been approved under the new standard EN 17460 that will replace DIN 6701 in 2025.
Growing Reputation
Hydram Engineering Ltd. has been trading for over 40 years and during that time it has built an enviable reputation in the subcontract engineering sector. This is reflected in its strong customer portfolio, which includes Caterpillar, Hitachi Rail Europe, Mitsubishi Electric, and Ideal Boilers. In June 2018 Hydram became part of the Dynamic Aerospace and Defense group based in the US.
Following an external audit by NDC Training & Consultancy Hydram has been successful in obtaining the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety standard.
Sheet metal fabrication supplier
Hydram obtained the previous OHSAS 18001 health and safety standard in 2012 and made the commitment to transition to the new standard, which was published in March 2018, as soon as possible, demonstrating Hydram’s recognition of the importance of occupational health and safety.
Andrew Robertson, Hydram’s SHE Manager said, “It was the ideal opportunity since Hydram holds both current ISO quality & ISO environmental standards, and fitting the new safety standard into our procedures was relatively straight forward.”
ISO 45001:2018
Strict legislation demands that organisations show a clear, pro-active commitment towards the health and safety of their employees. The ISO 45001 certification enables Hydram to demonstrate its commitment to occupational health and safety, as well as continuously improving the related management systems.
The company’s full Occupational Health and Safety Policy Statement of Intent is available HERE.
Industry leading fabrication company
NDC Auditor Dawn Cairns wrote of Hydram, “As well as continued investment in equipment and infrastructure, a number of continual improvement examples were witnessed during the audit including in internal communication and workforce participation, pedestrian safety, housekeeping and ergonomics and reduction of manual handling, which is once again a testament to the commitment to the OHSMS by top management and workforce acceptance of change and buy-in.”
What is ISO 45001:2018?
Published in March 2018, ISO 45001 is the world’s first international occupational health and safety management system. This benchmark standard is suitable for organisations in any sector and simplifies operations for organisations that trade internationally. The new standard replaces OHSAS 18001 and other country-specific standards, and organisations already certified to OHSAS 18001 have three years to transition across.
A business that began originally as a retirement project now occupies a site of over 115,000 sq. ft., has over 250 employees by June 2018 is one of the largest single source sheet metal fabrication suppliers in the UK.
Hydram Engineering was founded in 1977 by the late Harry Young, with his children John Young, Judith Porter and Gillian Young as the original partners. The name HYDRAM is made up of the initials of the family names – Harry Young (HY), his wife Dorothy (D) and the middle names of the three children (Robert, Anne and Margaret). The company continues in private ownership.
Keeping Busy During Retirement?
Harry was in his sixties when he started the business and, unlike many people who would have been thinking of spending more time in the garden, Harry had other ideas. Company Chairman John Young says, “My father’s original intention was to have just a small business to keep him and a few family members busy during his retirement.” The company started production in a small rented nursery unit with two pillar drills, a manual lathe and a band saw.
Putting the Customer First
With contacts in local engineering businesses Harry found his first customers easily and the family worked tirelessly to ensure that customers were not let down. Success came as a result and the business was able to expand, with power presses, a guillotine, pressbrake and manual punching machine being acquired, beginning the focus on sheet metalwork. By 1985 Hydram had outgrown the nursery unit and moved onto the current site in a purpose-built factory.
Focus on Sheet Metalwork
The company purchased its first turret punching machine in 1986, its first flatbed laser in 1997 and consolidated its position as a large subcontract sheet metalwork supplier. Hydram then expanded its general metal fabrication facilities, adding powder coating in 2001, robot welding in 2004 and tube laser cutting in 2006. Today in June 2018, Hydram occupies a site of over 115,000 sq. ft., has over 250 employees and is positioned as one of the largest single source sheet metal fabrication suppliers in the UK.
“When we started the business, we could never have envisaged being the size we are now,” says John. “We are all very proud of what we have achieved in the last 40 years. I am now the same age my father was when he started the business – we are still growing, and I’m excited about what the next 40 years will bring.”
Dynamic Aerospace and Defence Ltd. confirmed their acquisition of Hydram Engineering Ltd. on June 7th 2018, acquiring the total shareholding in the business.
Dynamic (www.dynamicindustrial.com) is a privately-owned business with its main headquarters in Michigan, USA. Hydram is Dynamic’s first acquisition outside the US, joining Dynamic’s existing portfolio of companies – Gem City, Dynamic Metals and Dexter Stamping – all based in the mid-west and having an established reputation, specialising in supplying precision metal components for the aerospace, defence, automotive and rail sectors.
Don Nystrom, the President of the Dynamic Group said, “We are delighted that Hydram has joined the Dynamic team. We see great synergy between the two businesses, in respect of skill sets and customer portfolio. Because of their focus on quality and customer service, Hydram will become our platform for expanding into the UK and wider European market.”
Hydram, one of the largest sheet metalwork fabrication companies in Europe, has established an enviable reputation in the marketplace over the last 40 years for quality and high service levels. Customers include Alexander Dennis, Hitachi Rail, Komatsu, Mitsubishi and Herman Miller.
John Young, Hydram’s outgoing Chairman, said, “This opportunity arrived at an important time in the company’s growth strategy. With plans already being considered for Hydram’s expansion, this new partnership will enable the business to accelerate its growth plans and maximise opportunities from existing customers and new business.”
David Greatorex is remaining as Hydram’s Managing Director and is excited about working with Dynamic. “The similarities between Dynamic and Hydram are striking, from their family-based foundations, to their shared culture centred on quality, customer service and investment in the latest technology. The Hydram management team is very excited about the new opportunities this partnership will bring to the business,” said David.
About Hydram Engineering Ltd.
Hydram is a leading supplier of sheet metal components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK. The company provides the full range of subcontract engineering services, including tube laser cutting, metal bending, sheet metal fabrication, powder coating and assembly. Hydram supplies components and sheet metal fabrications to market-leading companies in sectors such as rail rolling stock, bus manufacture, electrical & electronic products, lighting, defence and earthmoving machinery.
About Dynamic Aerospace and Defence Ltd.
Dynamic Aerospace and Defence Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dynamic Aerospace and Defense Inc, a privately-owned business with its main headquarters in Michigan, USA. It consists of a group of tightly coordinated companies particularly renowned for excellence in metal forming and fabrication, including roll forming, hydroforming, metal spinning and stamping. Its customers include aerospace, defence, automotive, rail and earthmoving equipment manufacturers. Hydram is Dynamic’s first acquisition outside the US and is positioned to be the group’s platform for further growth in the UK and Europe.
In October 2017 subcontract sheet metalwork supplier Hydram Engineering Ltd. announced that it has achieved certification under the latest revision of ISO 9001:2015 after undergoing a two-day independent audit of its Quality Management System.
Hydram had attained the previous revision of the standard, ISO 9001:2008, in 2009 and has been successful in updating its system to the latest 2015 version. The audit was completed by leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS who are recognized as a global benchmark for quality and integrity.
Hydram’s Quality Manager Barry Edgar said, “Our quality management system has been in existence for over 20 years and this latest audit is proof of our commitment to continuous improvement. Of course, this is just one aspect that customers look for in a supplier, and we work extremely hard to improve in all we do. Above all, we are committed to our customers, and I am proud that we have attained the standard set by the latest revision of ISO 9001.”
Over 20 years of Quality Accreditation
Hydram first achieved formal quality system accreditation when it attained the (now obsolete) ISO 9002 standard in 1996. This was superseded by the ISO 9001 quality standard, which Hydram attained in 2002 and has maintained since then through two revisions.
The ISO 9001 standard was introduced in 2000 and underwent revisions both in 2008 and 2015 to ensure its relevance for the marketplace. The current revision, known as ISO 9001:2015, is designed to respond to the latest trends and be compatible with other management systems such as ISO 14001 by using a common framework.
Long term goals
It is Hydram’s long term intention to integrate its Quality, Environment, and Health and Safety systems under a single integrated management system. This holistic approach would combine all related components of the business (resources and processes) into one system for easier management and operation. The aim is to harmonise document management, planning and objectives to reduce duplication and enable a streamlined audit process.
Leading subcontract sheet metalwork supplier
Hydram is a leading supplier of sheet metal components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK. The leading fabrication company provides the full range of subcontract engineering services, including tube laser cutting, metal forming, sheet metal fabrication and welding, powder coating and assembly. Hydram supplies components and sheet metal fabrications to market leading companies in industries such as transportation, shop-fitting and point of display, HVAC equipment and earthmoving machinery.
Hydram Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has attained certification to BS EN 15085 Class 2, the accreditation for Welding of Railway Vehicles and Components (CWRVC).
Certification for Welding of Railway Vehicles and Components (CWRVC) is commonly specified by rail industry customers sourcing fabricated components and sub-assemblies, as well as complete vehicles, as it demonstrates a manufacturer’s competence for control of welding quality. Hydram is now one of the few subcontract sheet metalwork fabrication companies in the UK with the BS EN 15085-2 standard, underlining its continued commitment to the rail sector.
Metal fabrciation company Hydram is a leading supplier of sheet metal components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK. The company provides the full range of subcontract engineering services, including laser cutting, metal bending, sheet metal fabrication, powder coating and assembly.
Hydram is also certified to the following standards:
Growing Reputation
Hydram Engineering Ltd. has been trading for 40 years and during that time it has built an enviable reputation in the subcontract engineering sector. This is reflected in its strong customer portfolio, which includes Caterpillar, Herman Miller, Mitsubishi Electric, and Ideal Boilers. In 2016 Hydram completed a £4mn investment project which included new fiber lasers and punching machines with material storage and automated loading and unloading systems.
Following a 2-day audit leading North East precision metal fabrication company Hydram Sheet Metalwork has retained the ISO:14001 Environmental Standard which it has held since 2010.
World class metal fabrication company
Conforming to the standard can lead to benefits such as reduced cost of waste management, savings in consumption of energy and materials, and lower distribution costs. The standard is an integral part of Hydram’s business plan and works around four main objectives: to prevent pollution to water, land and air from the site; to monitor and reduce carbon footprint; to reduce the amount of packaging used and to reduce the amount of waste produced, diverting as much as possible away from landfill for reuse and recycling.
Energy efficient manufacturing company
SHE Manager Andrew Robertson highlighted several major projects that proved Hydram’s commitment to continuous improvement. “Over the last year we have replaced two CO2 laser systems with solid-state fiber technology. The new machines are more energy efficient and use less fluorinated greenhouse gases in their cooling systems,” he said.
The company has recently completed a project to replace all its low frequency fluorescent lighting tubes, most recently making use of LED fittings. All areas of the factory are now fitted with occupancy sensors, so that lights are only switched on when required. “We have recently introduced a new management program to monitor and maintain our compressed air system for leaks,” Andrew said. “We are always on the lookout for ways to save energy and in doing so we can reduce our carbon footprint and save money.”
Auditor James Winter commented, “Hydram continues to fulfil the requirements of the standard and audit criteria identified within the audit report and it is deemed that the management system continues to achieve its intended outcomes.”
Leading sheet metal fabrication supplier
Hydram Sheet Metalwork is a leading supplier of sheet metal components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK. The leading fabrication company provides the full range of subcontract engineering services, including laser cutting, sheet metal bending, sheet metal fabrication, powder coating and assembly. Hydram supplies components and sheet metal fabrications to market leading companies in industries such as railway, bus and coachbuilding, rail location cases, HVAC equipment components and earth-moving machinery.
Hydram – the precision sheet metal fabrication company.
