Having made the decision to commence operations just as COVID began to shut down the economy two years ago, HP Aviation Hoses has become well-versed in living up to its own tagline of ‘Performance Under Pressure’. As the only aerospace hose manufacturer in the region, the company has successfully built a business on the back of extensive industry experience and customer interactions that go beyond normally expected service levels.
Director Jamie Hughes says the company was set up in August 2020 with the goal of ensuring aviation hose manufacturing capability remained available in the region, delivered with “good old-fashioned customer service.”
Their five-person team comprises Jamie and fellow business owner Stephen Plummer, alongside the only Stratoflex-trained hose-manufacturing experts in the region: Neil Burton, Ashley O’Rafferty, and hose-shop manager Kerry Barclay. Together, they bring over 50 years of hose manufacturing experience to the business.
Stephen explains some of the motivation behind the business:
“Parker Hannifin – Stratoflex is the leading aviation hose requested by customers who demand the highest levels of quality and reliability. We knew that when the last remaining aviation hose shop in the region closed in July 2020, it would leave customers needing support. So, starting a new business in the middle of COVID wasn’t as crazy as it sounded.”
The new company was awarded the exclusive distribution of Stratoflex products in 2020, as part of an agreement with Parker Hannifin to bring aviation hose manufacturing and product support back to the Oceania region.
With COVID lockdowns and travel restrictions at the time, getting started wasn’t easy. Jamie says, “Stephen and I are located remotely from the business’s manufacturing facility in Victoria, Australia. With the COVID restrictions in 2020, we relied on the expertise of Kerry, Neil, and Ashley to physically take the brand-new empty building and fit it out to the highest industry standards. Manufacturing quality products starts with getting the basics established correctly right from the beginning. The quality and cleanliness of our manufacturing clean room is amazing. We invite any customer to come and take a look.”
The combination of the new facility, a purpose-built fit-out, and strict adherence to the manufacturing processes specified by Parker Hannifin allowed HP Aviation Hoses to obtain CASA ATSOA Part 21.M certification. This certification assures customers that the hoses are built to specification with full back-to-birth traceability—for life.
The team at HP Aviation Hoses shares a passion for driving customer service and lives by their motto: “the right part, right on time.” Sometimes ordering hoses can be difficult—especially if the hoses are no longer clearly marked, or worse still, not tagged at all. Hose shop manager Kerry Barclay says that HP Aviation Hoses removes the guesswork and provides the solutions.
Kerry continues, “The service we provide goes beyond just filling orders. We work closely with our customers to eliminate risks for their business. If ordering hose part numbers is unclear, just send us the old hoses and we’ll make exact replacements. That’s our specialty! This is what gives our customers peace of mind—that the hoses will fit right the first time, saving precious time and money, and keeping their platform operational.”
Jamie says that with two years of business now under their belts, the HP team would like to express their gratitude and thank their many loyal New Zealand customers for their business and support. “With daily international shipments, over 50 years of combined hose manufacturing experience, and a focus on total customer service, rest assured HP Aviation Hoses will continue to support the New Zealand aviation community.”
Kiwi Flyer Editorial Issue #83 2022
