Heritage

Journey through our enriching past and discover the interesting facts that have helped shape and define our company today. Our principles and values and quality of service were born from humble beginnings, more than 150 years ago, and made us into one of the most innovative and successful hire specialist companies in the UK today.

1857-Henry Sykes Ltd Founded

35 year old Henry Sykes came to London from Sheffield and established a small engineering business in Upper Thames Street. From his workshop, Henry Sykes was embarking on a journey that would see his company working on many of the Thames’ most high profile pumping schemes of the late 19th century.  



1868

The business transferred to the more prestigious location of 66 Bankside, Southwark, and began construction of the deep well pumps with which Sykes’ name was to become closely associated. Here he produced Portable Vertical Steam Engines, Portable Engines and Boilers, Friction Hoists and Pumps.

1879-Death of Henry Sykes

Founder Henry Sykes dies and his wife, Margaret Sykes, takes over the business.

1885 Henry Sykes Ltd. enters in to a Partnership with Edmund Jackson

Henry Sykes Jnr, first son of Henry Sykes, takes control of the firm and introduces cousin Edmund Jackson into the business.  For the next 40 years, Jackson contributed heavily to the business.  Having a flair for mechanical design, Jackson would go on to design highly successful machines such as Pile-driving Winches, Contractors pumps, and the Tripulse-a three throw bucket pump.



1897

The business continued to prosper and expand and in 1897 it was turned into a Private Limited Liability Company, the directors being Mrs. Margaret Sykes, Henry Sykes and Edmund Jackson with the shareholders all in the family.

1899

A premises, with river frontage and wharf, were required for the making of new substantial works into the business. The 66 Bankside premises became the headquarters from which all the business was conducted.

1914- First World War

As well as many of our workmen enlisting into the army, Henry Sykes Ltd also created machinery that would see England win against their enemies in the war. We designed and built special rolling-friction winches which were used for a large number of ‘Kite Balloons’ used in the war. This portable winding gear ensured we could observe on our enemies position of artillery and troop formations.

1928

Henry Sykes Ltd bought 51 acres of land on the Greenwich marshes adjoining the Woolwich road at Charlton. On this site the present Charlton works and offices were erected and have been occupied since. Extensions and additions have been made from time to time to meet with the expanding business over the years.

1930

Sykes plant helps to build foundation of the site of Ford’s great motor works on the marshes in Dagenham, Essex. Sykes’ drove tens of thousands of reinforced concrete piles on which the whole of this world-famous factory was built.

1939 Second World War

Edmund Jackson remains in the business until his death at age 82. The machines he invented were not only uniformly successful but also pleasing to the eye, some of the first machines in the industry to be so. At the outbreak of the second world war, we provided a large number of winches for the erection of steel masts at points on the East and South coasts. Unknown to Henry Sykes at the time, they were to become the Radar installations that contributed heavily to our country's survival.

After the second world war, a considerable number of pumps were exported to many parts of the world particularly to Australia, West Africa and Persia.




1957-Our Centenary year

Henry Sykes reconstructs a new modern drawing shop in the Southwark offices.

We also introduced our latest major development the ‘Univac’ pump. This pump was evolved by adapting the priming arrangements used of the De-watering pump to Unchokeable pumps. This pump achieved great success and many pumping problems previously considered as verging on the impossible are now satisfactorily dealt with.

1964- Andrews Industrial Equipment

Founder of Andrews Industrial Equipment, John Andrews established the idea for his business while on a business trip to the USA. Here, he discovered a company who manufactured steam cleaners and portable heaters who were seeking distributors in Europe.  Seeing a business opportunity, John decides to purchase a small number of steam cleaners and portable heaters and import them to the UK to sell, the first steps to forming Andrews Industrial Equipment.

After being asked by a business associate to borrow one of the heaters, John decided to hire the heater out instead. This stemmed the idea to hire out as well sell the equipment he had. This was a success and as demand for hire increased, John registered the trade mark name Andrews Heat for Hire. Within 5 years Andrews Industrial Equipment had grown dramatically, with depots in Wolverhampton, London, Glasgow, Nottingham.  

1969

Until now, Andrews Industrial Equipment had been predominantly a winter business, John needed products to keep his ever expanding work force and depots busy during the summer months. While visiting a trade exhibition, John came across a small Italian company who manufactured portable air conditioning units. John immediately recognised the potential of hiring portable air conditioning units, setting up Andrews Air Conditioning for Hire as part of Andrews Industrial Equipment group.

1970

The early 70’s also saw a rapid growth for air conditioning as office space expanded and computer rooms increased, this prompted John to create an installed Air Conditioning division.

1971

John Andrews expanded his business to a European wide business by opening a depot in Holland. Two more depots were opened within five years and this year, 2011, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of our Holland depot.

1974

As the company continued to grow, John Andrews opened an additional 25 depots, strategically located to give local service to the majority of the UK.
During this year, John Andrews promotes his company through the rally car racing industry. This proved to be a success for the company and the partnership between Andrews and the rally car industry blossomed and continued for 17 years, resulting in the longest single deal sponsorship in UK motor sport.  The distinctive Andrews livered cars getting extensive coverage on TV and in the media put Andrews Heat for Hire and Andrews Air Conditioning for Hire in the spot light. Even to this day customers still remember the Andrews rally cars.

1987

John Andrews decides to retire from the business. Andrews Industrial Equipment is acquired by the Braithwaite Group. John Andrews remains in the business for 2 years to assist new CEO Andrew Fittion and new MD Peter Webber

1989

Braithwaite Group acquires Sykes Pumps and merges the two companies, forming what we are known as today: Andrews Sykes Hire Ltd.

1995

Andrews Sykes decides not to manufacture in its depots. All our equipment is now outsourced.

2000

Andrews Sykes introduces  Chillers and air handling equipment . The Chiller division has grown rapidly into a highly successful division offering wide and varied solutions to customer requirements.

2005

Andrews Sykes introduce packaged Boilers.  Andrews Boilers are designed to be as versatile as possible to cope with many varied applications, emergency break down of customers own boilers, under floor heating system screed drying, domestic hot water requirements and many more.

2007

Sykes pumps celebrate 150 years in the business. No other company has more expertise and heritage in pumping, de-watering and specialist fluid moving than Sykes.

2008

Andrews Sykes celebrates the opening of the Belguim branch. Located in Brussels, this branch offers the complete range of Andrews Sykes climate control services to the Belgian market.  

2011

Andrews Sykes have just celebrated the launch of our new depot in Italy. We are now the UK’s biggest and most reliable independent hire company. Having a 24/7 call out service and over 25 depots nationwide enables us to reach any UK destination within 4 hours. Our commitment to delivering the finest equipment, service and expertise is unrivalled within the industry. We look to the future with great confidence.

Our Values

No other company has more expertise and heritage in pumping, dewatering and specialist fluid moving than Skyes and in 2007 we celebrated 150 years in the business. Our lengthy business stems from the same core values we used 150 years ago and shape our business today.

Our Andrews Air Conditioning division supply an unbeatable range of the best cooling and heating equipment at the right price, for virtually every need, location and application. The reason why we are the UK’s biggest and most reliable independent company is because we follow our very own core values. We aim to stick by our core values in everything that we do:

People - whether you are a customer, client, employer, or shareholder we always have you in mind. Without you Andrews Sykes would not have accomplished what we have today. Our 300+ dedicated employees are always devoted to providing you with the best service.

Excellence - we will always go the extra mile and provide a first-class service to our customers and clients. We ensure a speedy response to any calls and our commitment to delivering the finest equipment, service and expertise is unrivalled within the industry.

Growth - we are always aiming to expand our business and currently have 30 depots in the UK as well as many more worldwide. At the start of our journey, 150 years ago, we have grown into a nationally known business and aim to grow even further, in to a world-wide business. 

Our People

The Company, Our People and You

From our modest beginning as a single pump store in London, we’ve grown to become the UK’s topmost supplier in pumping and cooling facilities. We employ around 500 people, with depots covering the breadth of Great Britain, as well as subsidiaries in Europe, the Middle East and America. Our business has a wide customer base spanning industry, commerce and the public sector. We’ve been in business since 1857 and have built a reputation for outstanding quality and service.

Our success is rooted in the talents of people who are passionate about what they do, whatever area of our business they work in: Sales, Management, Operations, Engineering or Support Services. We want our people to enjoy their work and feel confident within the job they carry-out. So we offer training sessions as well as review sessions to monitor your progress, making sure everyone has the support they need to achieve their full potential.

We offer a large scale and scope of opportunities at Andrews Sykes. As well as different jobs in our warehouses we have a range of roles at our head office in Wolverhampton and across our many depots in the UK. We have a diverse range of employees and promote a healthy environment ensuring everyone is offered equality of opportunity to achieve their full potential. That is why many of our employees have stayed with us for over 20 years and more, growing and developing within our company. We need committed and capable people to join our Regional, Depot or Head Office teams, so if you think you have what it takes join our company then you can apply on our website today.
 

Our Management

Chairman

JG Murray
Chairman of London Security plc,
Nu Swift Limited and Ansul S.A.
Mr Murray has a long and successful history in the industrial services sector.

Executive Directors

PT Wood, Managing Director
Industry specialist, having joined the group in August 1978. Appointed Director of Operations on 1 March 2006 and Group Managing Director on 5 December 2006.

Company Secretary

MJ Calderbank ACA
Appointed Company Secretary on 13 October 1999.
Formerly a senior manager at KPMG.

JJ Murray MBA, Non-executive Vice Chairman
Non-executive director of London Security plc, Nu Swift Limited and Ansul S.A.

Non-executive Directors

FMB Gailer BSc.
Senior Independent Non-executive, Chairman of the Audit Committee. Non-executive director of London Security plc.

MC Leon BS
Non-executive director of London Security plc.

X Mignolet (HEC Economics)
Director of London Security plc, Ansul S.A. and Imports S.A.

EDOA Sebag MBA
Director of London Security plc and Nu Swift Limited.

JP Murray Co-Founder of Transcash Inc, President of Eurosky Entertainment and Non - Executive Director of London Security plc.