Erosion, abrasion, corrosion and thermal shock – these are the causes of some of the highest-cost component failures blamed for unscheduled
downtime in a diverse range of harsh industrial environments including oil and gas platforms, power plants, food manufacturing lines and even jet fighters. Hardide Coatings, a Bicester-based company, is developing and manufacturing leading-edge surface coatings that are greatly extending part life and helping companies around the world keep their industrial plant and tools working longer and at peak performance.
Hardide Coatings has been developing and manufacturing its range of innovative tungsten carbide-based coatings in Bicester since 2003 when it moved from a pilot facility in Oxfordshire’s Begbroke Science Park. The company employs around 25 skilled technicians, engineers and scientists, all of whom are trained in the unique process that produce the novel coatings. The availability of a skilled workforce and the easy access from Bicester to the UK’s road and rail networks were significant factors in the company’s decision to locate in the area. With ambitious growth plans, a move to larger premises may be on the horizon but the company intends to remain in Bicester from where it services customers in countries throughout the world including America, Canada, Australia and the Middle East, as well as the UK and Europe.