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&…

Dr. Gary Dyson, Hydro Global Engineering Services

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gary Dyson will be joining Hydro Companies. Gary will be headquartered in the UK in our new engineering center, Hydro Global Engineering Services. This engineering center will provide the highest level of support to the Hydro network of service locations and will help solve the complex engineering problems associated with pumping equipment.

Hydro Engineering Services will provide a system that all locations can access so that we can continue to help our customers modify, upgrade and re-rate their equipment. He has expertise in hydraulic and mechanical engineering across many manufacturers and industries.

Dr. Gary Dyson has spent his entire career working with rotating equipment. He gained his PhD from Cranfield University for his work using Computational Fluid Dynamics to predict the time dependent nature of pump hydraulic performance at off-design conditions. He has used his hydraulic expertise to help many customers to re-work their equipment to improve reliability, performance and efficiency. During his time working for Clydeunion, Weir Pumps, David Brown Pumps and Mather + Platt Pumps, Dr. Dyson has developed expertise on equipment from complex multi-stage barrel pumps to single stage OH2 machines. Alongside support for Centrifugal pumps Hydro Global Engineering Services has also added expertise to support the requirements of their customers on reciprocating machines. They can advise on plunger pumps and direct acting pump repairs, upgrades and performance modifications.

We welcome Gary and his great wealth of experience to the Hydro team!

Though it usually takes between one and two years to receive accredation for an internationally recognized quality control program; through tireless effort and excellent teamwork, Hydro Middle East has managed to receive their accreditation in less than six months. Having an accredited QA/QC program is vital to attracting new business and this rapid implementation was necessary to ensure successful start-up phase for HME.

They began their quest in September, 2013 when they hired Haran, a metallurgist and welding engineer, as their QA manager. The brand-new team began to put together the systems, policies and procedures that formed the basis of their QA/QC program.

In February, the API (American Petroleum Institute) held an in-depth, four-day audit, the result of which was that the auditor recommended HME be awarded all of the certifications for which they applied.

According to HME’s director, Thomas Arakal, the results of this audit “represent a watershed in HME’s development as a professional service provider in the Middle East Market. To achieve such a recommendation from the API auditor after such a short period of operations is indeed a testament to our teamwork and of what can be achieved with vision, belief and perseverance.”

Hydro Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of Energy Repair Service in Denver, Colorado, as the latest addition to the Hydro fleet. The 27,500 sq. ft. facility will play an important role in providing pump aftermarket services to customers in the Rocky Mountain region in the Power, Pipeline, Refining, Chemical, and Mining industries. Jim Surkau will be the VP & GM of the new facility and lead the transition of the coworkers and facility.