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35
Building Machines
O
ver the past quarter century, the reliability and robust
construction of the various models of Hydraform block-
making equipment has become legendary – to the
extent that numerous anecdotal stories have grown
around this over the years.
Perhaps themost representative tale is theone involving
a Hydraform blockmaking machine originally sold in
1992 and discovered rusting on a farm in Zambia; after
Hydraform staff flew in to service it and provide training,
it was back in action producing soil-cement blocks in
a matter of weeks. Hydraform is well aware that, in the
field, its machines can often be subjected to the harshest
of climatic conditions imaginable. The machines it builds
and sends into the wide blue yonder must be capable of
withstanding tough conditions and operating with only
basic servicing for long periods of time.
A matter of pride
Such reliability doesn’t happen by accident. It begins
with a robust and forgiving design and ends with the
choice of solid materials with which to manufacture
the machines. Effective and efficient manufacturing
processes must also be followed to continue to produce
the machines that are now found in over 50 countries
around the world.
And apart from the renowned block-making
machines, the Hydraform factory manufactures a range
of conventional construction machinery, including pan
mixers and conventional egg-layer and static block,
brick and paving machines. In all cases, the same design
principles coupled with the highest-quality materials and
top-quality workmanship are standard.
Precision engineering ensures each machine is made
to last and all the individual parts are given a dual-coat
spray finish before assembly. Quality management
ensures every machine is checked during actual block
production, thoroughly tested and finally given the green
light before dispatch.
Furthermore, the factory itself has specifically been
designed to be flexible enough to scale production
up or down at a moment’s notice. But perhaps most
important of all is the immense pride that Hydraform’s
manufacturing staff take in their work. They revel in the
rapidly growing body of anecdotal tales of Hydraform
machines still operating after 20 or 25 years, or being
brought back into full production in a matter of weeks
after being neglected for years or even decades.
of an industry
Foundation
The fundamental building blocks of Hydraform’s building system are the machines that
produce the soil-cement blocks and tiles.
Perhaps most important of all is the immense pride that Hydraform’s manufacturing staff take in their work.