Huddersfield-based
HB Bearings, a specialist in the manufacture of special metric and imperial bearings and standard bearings which are difficult to obtain and hard to source, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The family-run business was founded in 1972 by the late Norman Hirst, who passed away in September last year, aged 90. He had over 70 years’ engineering experience and was still working as chairman alongside his son Graham, the current managing director, up until the start of Covid-19.
Graham said: “My father would have loved to have reached the 50th anniversary of HB Bearings as he was devoted to the company, and he will always be remembered for his tireless efforts to grow the business into the thriving company it is today. He was also very proud to oversee the acquisition of Gamet Bearings in 2019, and the transfer from Colchester to HB Bearing’s manufacturing facility in Huddersfield.”
Both companies are renowned for the manufacture of high-quality and precision-made special bearings. Graham has been involved with engineering for over 37 years and was Norman’s business partner since 1997, when Norman’s original business partner retired.
To mark the 50-year anniversary, HB Bearings invited all employees and their partners, along with retired ex-members of staff, to a curry night. Graham added: “We all raised a glass to Norman — it was his vision back in 1972 which was the single reason why we were all assembled. It also served as a much-needed coming together of everyone associated with HB Bearings after the last few years of Covid-19 restrictions.”
Graham concluded: “All our employees continued to work hard right through the pandemic and although we had to make lots of adjustments, we maintained the company’s enduring philosophy, which is to manufacture bearings to the high quality required for the demanding sectors we operate in.”
The company is now looking forward to the next 50 years, continuing Norman’s vision into the future. Graham’s daughter is set to join the company, ensuring it will be led by a third-generation of the Hirst family.