Mark and I founded Hydraulics Online in 2004 working from a blank sheet of paper and a spare room at home. Mark was the ‘hydraulics’ and I was the ‘everything else’. Our vision was simple: to provide a better, brand-agnostic service and supply of hydraulic parts and equipment to customers around the world.

Getting a business off the ground is never an easy task, especially in an industry dominated by big product-led suppliers and major global brands. Yet today, Hydraulics Online is a global supplier with a brand that dominates online real estate on the topic of hydraulics.

How did we do it?

The success so far is the result of our clear vision, hard work and unfaltering commitment to learn and continuously improve. Thanks to the ceaseless effort and dedication of our team. And in no small way built on the loyalty of our portfolio of suppliers and customers.

My experience in finance and project management in blue chip companies inspired me, while the business was in its relative infancy, to pursue an ISO 9001 accreditation. Perhaps unusual for such a small business, it ensured that quality and continuous improvement remained a primary focus as the business continued to grow.

Sales and service have always been delivered globally. I am a huge advocate of “baking in the export mindset” from day one. International trade brings specific challenges, but great rewards.

The business began gaining regional recognition in 2017, with its first award win. It was a defining moment in many ways – creating a moment I describe as “almost epiphany like” in which, for the first time, we could truly acknowledge how far the business had come and how much further it could go.