Hydram Celebrates 40 Years!

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.”