Hydro South Opens Florida Expansion

Posted on April 9, 2026

The team at Hydro South have opened a shop in Florida to better serve their expanding customer base in the Southeast.

Hydro South has taken on several key customers in the Sunshine State over the last few years. While their primary facility in Georgia was keeping up with the workload, space and manpower at the Cumming shop were approaching their limits. In early 2025, Hydro started the process of identifying possible expansion sites for Hydro South. Florida was the obvious choice, as it was close to many of the division’s major customers.

In late summer 2025, the team found a former steel mill in Starke, FL that was leasing out a 35,000 sq.ft. bay. Equipped with two 10-ton cranes and one 7.5-ton crane, it was an ideal space for an auxiliary shop.

The Starke shop is equipped with a new air compressor, welding capabilities, and a blasting station. As it builds its machining capabilities, the new shop will work in tandem with Hydro South to provide the full spectrum of Hydro’s service to its customers.

Congratulations to Hydro South, we’re excited to see you grow!

Root Cause Analysis Uncovers Casting Defects

Posted on October 31, 2019

Efficiency and reliability are at the forefront of a successful pumping system. As such, unplanned outages can be a detrimental disturbance to the overall operation. In this case, the end user’s high pressure multistage BB5 barrel pump was experiencing severe vibration, unstable performance, and failure in the field leading to unit shutdown.

This particular unit, used in boiler feedwater operations, is critical to the plant’s uptime and throughput. Furthermore, continued failures can cause growing costs due to inevitable maintenance and repairs, often overlooking a long term solution. With each unplanned outage, the plant could face a significant loss in capital.

Previously, the pump had been running for six months before experiencing catastrophic failure, requiring a shutdown and removal for further analysis. Initially, the unit’s damaged components were repaired by welding, and the volute was reassembled and installed for use. Upon its installation, the power plant placed the unit back into service but encountered a second emergency shutdown after two months in operation.

Video: https://vimeo.com/362808909

Source: https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/root-cause-analysis-uncovers-casting-defects-critical-boiler-feedwater-unit

George Harris Rewarded Lifetime Achievement Award From the West Central Association

Posted on October 17, 2018

The West Central Association recently invited George Harris, President and CEO of Hydro, Inc., to be a guest speaker for their 100th anniversary.

The WCA is the Chamber of Commerce for the West Central Area. They are also a delegate agency for Chicago’s Department of Planning and Economic Development. They promote the area to encourage healthy business and a growing community.

George Harris also received an award in recognition of his contributions to the community and to the development of businesses and networking within Chicago’s West Central Area.

George has always been one of the key pillars of the community. He has lived and worked within the city of Chicago all his life and graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Engineering. The association was pleased to celebrate the growth of Hydro.

Though it started as a small locally based business, it is now a global company with 19 locations worldwide. Congratulations, George, on an award well deserved!

HydroTex Deer Park Service Center Relocating to La Porte, TX

Posted on September 18, 2017

The new 33,000 square building in La Porte, Texas.

HydroTex, a subsidiary of Hydro, Inc., announces the move of its Deer Park operation to a new 33,000 square foot building in La Porte, TX.

The new service center will offer expanded capacity for analysis, engineering, rebuilding and repair services for pump systems and rotating equipment as well as climate controlled storage of pumps and parts.

Located near the busy Houston Ship Channel, the new facility is ideally situated to serve the needs of surrounding industries using pumping equipment of any capacity. To learn more about the new facility or to schedule a shop visit, please contact HydroTex.

Source: pumpsandsystems.com

Governor Quinn Visits Chicago’s Hydro, Inc. as Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Continues to Drop

Posted on September 22, 2014

Hydro CEO and Founder, George Harris (at podium), and Governor Pat Quinn (left)

CHICAGO – As Illinois’ unemployment rate continued to fall to its lowest point in six years, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Hydro, Inc. in Chicago to discuss the state’s ongoing economic recovery. Over the past six months, Illinois’ unemployment rate has fallen faster than any other state in the country. Illinois’ unemployment rate dropped for the sixth consecutive month, from 6.8 to 6.7 percent in August, its lowest level since August 2008 and lower than when the Governor took office. Today’s event is part of the Governor’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Hardworking women and men across our state are back on the job and today’s numbers are proof that Illinois’ comeback continues,” Governor Quinn said. “More people are working today than at any time in the past six years and that is thanks in part to companies like Hydro who are staking their future right here in the Land of Lincoln. While we have more work to do, we are getting the job done and Illinois is headed in the right direction.”

The Illinois unemployment rate fell in August for the sixth consecutive month to reach 6.7 percent while employers created 13,800 jobs, according to data released earlier today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This is the lowest rate since August 2008 and the drop from 9.2 percent one year ago marks the largest year-over-year decline in 30 years.

The complete article and video footage is available at: http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&…