The last few months has seen a strong increase in activity at Ashbourne Estate in Norwich where Parker Hydraulics & Pneumatics have been based since 1975.
Despite being impacted by lockdown along with many other businesses, Parker Hydraulics has experienced steady growth over recent years. This has led to the need for expansion within the offices and workshops and the relocation of its upgraded trade counter facility.
Over this time Parker Hydraulics has diversified away from just supplying hydraulic and pneumatic equipment and into more bespoke industrial applications such as factory automation projects. This has necessitated the expansion of the projects team into its own standalone unit, tailored to its needs and fitted out with a range of equipment purchased specifically for that purpose.
The projects team too, has increased to support this growth with work that was previously outsourced being brought in house. This has necessitated the need to acquire additional skills, particularly in the field of CAD (computer aided design) to develop the required component formation and cabling. This has been alongside engaging a specialist electrical engineer to develop the PLC (programming logic control) for these systems. This in turn has given rise to a more cost effective and responsive service as well as greater operational resilience.
Investment for the above has been supported by a grant secured through the New Anglia Small Grant Scheme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
