Hartlepool engineering firm celebrates incredible 170 years in business
A proud Hartlepool family engineering firm has celebrated an incredible 170 years in business and is looking forward to many more years to come.
Staff, customers and the town’s MP came together at specialized manufacturing facility JJ Hardy & Sons, in Brenda Road, to mark the incredible milestone.
Established in 1856 in a Hartlepool back yard to produce components for Britain’s maritime and rail industries, the business has survived recessions and all sorts of major events to have hit the world’s economy.
The company has grown to become one of the region’s oldest engineering houses and a trusted supplier to businesses across Europe’s automotive, defence, maritime, rail and energy industries.
Current managing director Andy Pailor is the third generation of his family to run the business since his grandfather, businessman and then Hartlepool mayor Thomas Henry Pailor, bought it from the Hardy family in 1929.
He said: “We have got some great employees, good customers and good suppliers.
“By all pulling in the same direction we have managed to achieve what we have which is to be here for 170 years. I’m very proud.
“There’s not many firms in Hartlepool who can say that.”
The factory, where the firm has been based since 1967 and produces precision engineered components, has undergone a recent renovation and trains up the next generation of engineers with apprentices.
They include Andy’s eldest son and machine operator Thomas, 19, the fourth generation of his family to work for the business.
On Friday, the factory held an open day with customers, suppliers, family of staff and MP Jonathan Brash receiving a tour of the site.
Mr Brash said: “I think it’s absolutely amazing to see a company that’s been in Hartlepool for 170 years continuing to grow and expand.
“This is what Hartlepool is all about. We’re a town of makers and JJ Hardy & Sons are a great example of that.”
Visitors also got the chance to see the contents of a time capsule from when the facility was built which included historic editions of the Hartlepool Mail, previously unseen photographs and a batch of historic coins and bank notes.
The event was also attended by Robert Cockerill who was presented an award on behalf of Bernard ‘Barney’ Ord OBE, a longtime supporter of the business.