About us
2010
Ashridge Engineering have been awarded a contract to design and manufacture a specialist probe to improve the nuclear waste handling facility at a major nuclear power station.
Ashridge Engineering wins major contract to supply Hydroguard units with the latest burst water main identification hardware and firmware. This product development includes the ability to remotely upgrade to WITS DNP3.0, underlining the company’s commitment to continuous involvement in R&D.
Ashridge Engineering launches a wider range of Winding Temperature Indicators with dual displays, Top Oil and Winding Temperatures and additional control relays. This further enhances the range of products supplied to South America, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia where growth has outstripped expectations.
2009
Ashridge Engineering is joined by Ajay Prakash, KTP Associate, (Knowledge Transfer Partnership). KTP provides academic institutions with the opportunity to apply knowledge and expertise to industry. This underlines the company’s commitment to continuous involvement in R&D, our willingness to invest in our future an re-enforces our links to the academic community.
Ashridge Engineering appoints a Sales and Marketing manager in April 2009.
2008
Ashridge Engineering appoints Aimee Worrall as Administrator. Nine times out of ten, Aimee is the friendly voice that welcomes you when you call Ashridge Engineering. Ashridge also appoints Martin Hutton as a Technician as the company grows slowly but carefully to meet customer demand. Martin never answers the ‘phone but he has a friendly voice as well!
Ashridge also starts negotiations with a leading University to take part in the KTP, (Knowledge Transfer Partnership). This is a programme designed to put bright engineers, leading Universities and innovative engineering companies together to exploit academically held IP for commercial use.
2007
Purchased Unit 1a, 58 North Road Ind Estate and totally re-developed the property with assistance of all the staff, moving in during October. In December we are joined by Richard Sanders whose west country tales keep us entertained first thing in the morning.
2006
Rented second unit due to the level of work. Although this served its purpose, as a long term solution it’s unsatisfactory and we looked for more suitable premises.
2005
Won a number of contracts for the supply of a large number of manual and SMS data loggers, NFR & TextLog. James Mear taken on as a Technician to help with the increased workload. Didn’t know what hit him!
2004
Phil Sambles commenced working for the company to carry on with the development of Hydroguard and to enhance the SMS data loggers. Phil is highly organised and definitely takes the “h” out of Shambles!
Chuck Lancaster is sadly missed by all his colleagues at Ashridge following his sad passing after a short illness.
2003
Simon Eglinton joined the company to provide IT support and PC software development. He really has got IT, but he needs to work harder on being PC!
2002
Developed the first SMS data logging equipment, TextLog – Short sentence, huge workload.
2001
Developed a unique range of special sensors for use with Network Rail and London Underground applications.
2000
Obtained second National Grid approval for unrestricted use on Super Grid substations. We were awarded a second framework agreement with Thames water. We developed the NightFlowReader, (NFR), for water flowmeter logging applications.
1999
Obtained first National Grid approval for the 852Plus after two years intense environmental testing, witnessed at all levels by National Grid staff. The effect on the company was electrifying!
1998
Simon Ward, namesake of the famous actor, joined the company and displayed his creative skills. I am sure that he has Thespian tendencies, though we don’t talk about them. Si is now Production Manager and he is truly theatrical! Ashridge continued developing products for niche markets, i.e. Rail, MoD, Protection equipment.
1995/6
Commenced work on designing the second generation Winding Temperature Indicator, (WTI), in order to meet full National Grid NGTS requirements.
1994
Claire Orchard, (now Gee), the teenage daughter from 1988, was made an offer she couldn’t refuse to help out her old man in the business where she quickly became his right hand man, if you see what I mean.
1993
In 1993 Alan Orchard acquired the remainder of the Ashridge business. Chuck Lancaster and his company Pressure Sensors Ltd also joined Ashridge Engineering during this period, bringing his cheery personality and adding his skill base to the company’s portfolio. This meant that we could now manufacture our own range of pressure sensing elements, retaining the use of Chuck Lancaster as a consultant and finally purchasing the remainder of the company in 2003.
1992
Ashridge were offered an opportunity to develop an electronic winding temperature indicator, (WTI), for the protection of substation transformers as the mechanical products were unable to offer the facilities required. This was a large project taking around four years to finalise what is still one of our keystone products.
1991
Bought first property in West View Road, Okehampton which required extensive modernisation. Product development continues.
1990
Under Alan Orchards stewardship, Ashridge Engineering developed their own level and pressure transmitters, digital indicators and made them compliant with all environmental requirements. To date this design remains one of our mainstream product ranges offering rugged reliability for applications from shipboard tank contents sensors to borehole depth measurement to milk balance tank control.
1989-1990
Alan Orchard realised that to make a real go of the company he would need to develop and manufacture a range of reliable equipment, preferably for niche markets. However having no access to the level of funds required for such an undertaking he decided to proceed slowly building the company as funds became available. During this period of time local lad Dave Morrish started his association with the company and proved that Manchester United fans are truly everywhere. Since then they have never looked back, Dave or Manchester United that is!
1988
Pat Tann, still operating as a sole trader, recruited Alan Orchard, present MD, on an unpaid basis using Ashridge Engineering Limited as an ‘umbrella’ company, selling the third party equipment. The longer term aim was for Alan to take over the company and expand the range of equipment made and sold. Alan left KDG Instruments after 8 years as a UK & worldwide service/commissioning engineer and a further 2 years in field sales. He left with one month’s salary, a second hand car, a hefty mortgage, teenage daughter and wife Jenny working part time who would be assisting him with the book keeping! This cheery part timer is still keeping the books over 20 years later. There is a whole library of them now.
1975 – 1987
Pat Tann starts the business designing and manufacturing pressure overload devices and water detectors. Ashridge also acted as a distributor for a third party instrumentation company, selling their range of products, mainly to water companies.
