WET News

Sykes Pumps are extremely proud to have reached another signi cant landmark in the company's esteemed history – their 160th anniversary! Originally founded as a modest engineering business in 1857, the rm has grown immeasurably over a period of more than a century and a half. Providing all types of pumping assistance to big customers both in the UK and further a eld, Sykes are now recognised as a multi-national organisation with the resources necessary to provide specialist solutions for virtually every conceivable scenario. From humble London beginnings, Sykes now has localised depots in twenty- ve locations throughout the UK, in addition to a very signi cant presence in the Middle East. This latest landmark in the company's history has allowed it to bene t from consistent and rapid growth, with a rmly established reputation for excellence underpinned by values, longevity and heritage. Chris Graham, Sales Director of Sykes Pumps, said: "It is with great pride that we as an organisation can re ect on 160 years of successful operation. During this time, we have su ered the turbulence of two World Wars and other setbacks that have been completely out of our hands – so we must be doing something right! "Of course, we look back on our growth and development with much satisfaction but as always, our immediate focus is on how we can do things better going forward. This outlook is the reason we have managed to stay at the forefront of innovation for so long. "We would like to thank our longstanding customers who have played a crucial role in the company's continuous evolution. Having a committed and loyal workforce should also not be understated, and we recognise the impact our sta have had in shaping the business we have today." Sykes celebrate another milestone 160 years and counting for Sykes Pumps After 160 years of successful operation, Sykes Pumps has developed a reputation for being among the country's leading pump hire suppliers since the company's inception in 1857. When Henry Sykes rst swapped She eld for London and established a small engineering business on Upper Thames Street, few could have imagined the status of the company today. By the end of the 19th century, Sykes' organisation had already worked on some of the city's highest pro le pumping schemes. Business headquarters were transferred to upmarket Southwark, coinciding with the introduction of several new innovations that became synonymous with Henry Sykes and his company. Before the 1900s, the prospering rm was registered as a Private Limited Company under the stewardship of Henry Sykes Jr. The rst World War unsurprisingly had the potential to be a turbulent time for what was by then Henry Sykes Ltd. – particularly as many of their workmen were enlisted into the army. Amazingly, remaining employees helped design and construct special rolling-friction winches which allowed Allied forces to observe enemy positions! The interwar period saw the company acquire 51 acres of land on the Greenwich marshes, adjoining the Woolwich Road at Charlton. Even now – some 90 years later – Sykes retain an extremely strong presence in the area, which is where their agship depot is located. Long-term employee and shareholder Edmond Jackson died the year the Second World War broke out, but he was credited with inventing several revolutionary machines during an association that lasted more than 40 years. Once again, Sykes played their part throughout the ensuing six years of international con ict – this time by assisting the erection of steel masts that would become radar installations for British Army intelligence. Even more crucially, however, was Sykes' swift provision of pumps after MOD units failed. Without them, the Mulberry Harbours (widely regarded as one of the World War II's greatest engineering accomplishments) would not have oated. 1957 marked the company's centenary year and it was also around this time that another major development – the 'Univac' pump – was introduced to market. Many generations of the Univac have been developed in the years since, with the current version still very much the market leader. Fifteen years later, with the company still going from strength to strength, Sykes unveiled their rst submersible pumps. Domestic growth then led to overseas projects, with Sykes taking their business to the Middle East. 1989 the Braithwaite Group merged Henry Sykes Ltd with the well- established Andrews Heat for Hire, forming what is known today as Andrews Sykes. The company's reputation has continued to grow, and in the last two decades Sykes Pumps have been responsible for a number of huge developments across the UK and abroad. 160 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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