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.
