A Tale of Two Brothers – Both Pump Pioneers
Did you know that the home of HMD Kontro in Eastbourne is not just the sunniest place in the UK, but it is also a thriving pump cluster?
Home to not only HMD Kontro, over the years a good number of other pump manufacturers have chosen Eastbourne as the place to set-up shop. There is a reason for this, so let us travel back in time by 75 years to 1946, the year that brothers Geoffrey and Charles Howard founded Hydraulic & Mechanical Developments Ltd, with the first sealless magnetic drive pumps being pioneered the following year in 1947. This of course became HMD Kontro Sealless Pumps, a division of Sundyne, that we are today.
The Howard brothers, as brothers often do, had a falling out and the two went their separate ways. This other company, which became known as ‘APV Howard’ and then onto ‘APV Industrial Pumps’ began operations and that too was started in Eastbourne. Both of the brothers were pioneers of their time and this led to the supply chain around the town building up, which in time put Eastbourne on the pump manufacturing map.
Additional pump companies then chose to relocate or begin operations in Eastbourne as that is where the expertise, experience and supply chains were based. This includes ‘Johnson Pumps’ who are also still operating in Eastbourne today and just a mere stone’s throw away from the HMD Kontro units.
It is because of the Howard brothers and the founding of HMD Kontro back in 1946 that has led to Eastbourne being what is often referred to as a ‘pump cluster’. The decision 75 years ago has left a lasting mark on the town and its rewards are still being reaped today. HMD Kontro has continued to evolve and leads the way in the pump industry. Particularly in magnetic drive pumps.
For more information about HMD Kontro, where it all began and where we are heading, please look at the company Timeline and History of HMD pages. For more information or to discuss utilising our pumps, please complete the enquiry form on the contact page
