Hydratight Selecting the Best

Hydratight’s growth in recent years has meant the company is always on the lookout for top-class staff – despite the general recession and gloomy economic forecasts for the industry.

“We are weathering the economic slump very well indeed,” says global business leader Phil Maxted. “But not by sitting around, hoping for the best.”

The company has undertaken a careful review of all aspects of its business around the world in recent months, and where consolidation and rationalisation have been required, the saved capital has been put into areas driving growth. These areas, and new opportunities for future development, now have new appointees to drive them to greater successes.

Hydratight is moving more strongly into new and increasingly significant enterprise areas, such as nuclear and wind energy.

Juergen Schimohr has joined the company as account manager responsible for promoting Hydratight’s wind products range. He will work with OEMs, contractors and service companies in the wind-energy industry to demonstrate Hydratight’s innovative products and engineering expertise.

Juergen has extensive experience in several engineering and sales disciplines, including 16 years in sales of earth-moving machines and other heavy plant, and torque and tension equipment. Juergen worked in the wind-energy industry for a decade before joining Hydra-tight, and before that was leader of the training centre of a leading German torque and tension company.

Though he will be concerned mainly with opportunities in the EMEA region, Juergen will also work with Hydratight operations in the USA and Asia-Pacific to develop opportunities and share best-practice techniques with clients worldwide.

The acquisition of the respected BoreMaster range of heavy-duty boring equipment from Machine Technologies gives Hydratight a newly-expanded presence in shipbuilding, military and other fields. Looking after that market is new appointee Phil Giagnacova. Phil, formerly executive vice-president with Machine Technologies, brings a wealth of experience and market knowledge, which will be invaluable in the global positioning of BoreMaster

Another newcomer to the company is Paul Hughes, who joins Hydratight as product manager for the connectors business, giving him particular responsibility for the company’s highly-respected Morgrip mechanical pipe connectors. He will manage the current Morgrip portfolio and develop innovative new projects. Paul has extensive engineering experience in the oil and gas industry, and his most recent role, in business development, has given him a thorough understanding of the market.

“This is an exciting and challenging role,” said Paul. “I’ll be working closely with a strong and vastly experienced team to expand our presence with the development of the next generation of connectors.”

Bill Evers joins the US team as product execution leader. His 30 years experience and know-ledge of the industry will be invaluable in this newly created role. He will be working closely with operations managers to ensure customers receive exceptional service on all projects.

Other parts of the company have seen consolidation and reorganisation, with the result that new people are now in senior positions to take the company forward.

Hydratight’s EMEA region has made its first senior appointment of the year in promoting David Brown to the post of international sales leader.

As a senior manager, David’s knowledge of the company and its markets makes him an ideal choice to head sales. He will head a five-man team responsible for operations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Angola and Italy. He will also work closely with Hydratight’s French contractors, and all agents or countries within the EMEA but outside the company’s three main regions (northern and mainland Europe and the Middle East).

“I am delighted to welcome David to his new role,” said Alain Wald, Hydratight’s EMEA leader. “He and his team have huge opportunities in front of them, dealing with areas that offer the biggest growth potential in EMEA.”

The company’s Norwegian operations have also been reorganised to develop the sales side of the business. Paul Harrison, who has a strong sales background, has assumed the role of Norway business leader, based in Stavanger.

Without a great support team, Hydratight could not offer the quality of service it does, so other recent appointments include Anantasiya Dedish, office administrator – Azerbaijan; Alexandra Robbach, accountant – Germany; Amir Masic, commercial assistant – Germany; Erik van de Broek, sales engineer – Holland; Debbie Howell, logistics co-ordinator – UK; Stephen O’Connor, systems administrator – UK, and Jinish Cherian, sales engineer – Qatar.

Hydratight continues to be a strong employer, appointing the best from within and bringing in top talent from the industry.

The company has a reputation for nurturing the talents of its own team members, giving those with the enthusiasm and energy a chance to shine in key roles — sometimes beyond their own expectations.

In other cases senior leaders seek out the best the industry has to offer and give them new challenges in an ever-changing, ever-adapting corporate climate.

“There are always challenges ahead,” says global leader Phil Maxted. “We are always looking for the best of the best to take Hydratight to greater heights.”