HydraForce Hydraulics Ltd, Birmingham based hydraulic manufacturer, is delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted for both the Apprentice of the Year and Export Award at this year’s Made in the Midlands Awards.
The company, which produces hydraulic valves and manifold systems, has been nominated for the Export Award of 2021, alongside six other local businesses. Despite the challenges of the pandemic over the past year, HydraForce has continued to grow its new product portfolio and strengthen its distributor network:
“Like all other businesses, we faced a challenging year in 2020, working with our UK and European partners to meet our customer demands” explains Christine Tolley, Head of Human Resources.
“We could not have achieved what we did without the loyal support and dedication of our employees. We are currently seeing unprecedented growth in our market and are working tirelessly to fulfil customer orders. Being shortlisted once again for this award, is testament to the success of the business and collaboration between all stakeholders.”
The company’s second nomination at this year’s Made in the Midlands Awards goes to HydraForce’s third year engineering apprentice, Ahmad Ford, who has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year 2021:
“When initially joining Hydraforce I was looking for a new career path to develop a more challenging and rewarding future. The opportunities I have been given by HydraForce, to not only work on but to lead business critical projects, only reinforces my belief that pursuing an apprenticeship with Hydraforce was the right decision” said Ahmad, after receiving the news of his nomination.
“At the start of this process, it was not my intention to search for any kind of critical acclaim and I feel greatly honored and humbled to have not only been nominated but also shortlisted for the Made in the Midlands Apprentice of the Year award” continues Ahmad. “Whether I am successful or not, I can only say that my desire to pursue a career in engineering has never been stronger and I look forward to continuing my development with HydraForce and progress to a foundation degree, then onto my full honours degree.”
Ahmad is one of six nominees who will be competing for the award in July; with the other contenders shortlisted from other companies in the region including AE Aerospace and Sertec.
HydraForce has seen success at the Made in the Midlands awards in previous years, after being shortlisted for the Export Award in 2019, winning the Apprentice of the Year Award 2019, and achieving Manufacturer of the Year in 2016.
This year’s award ceremony will take place on Thursday 15th July at The Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, where the winner of the award categories will be announced.