At Hydraulics Online, external recognition reflects more than performance – it endorses our commitment to independent expertise, technical excellence and customer‑first service. From ISO 9001 certification to our global reach and award‑winning support, we’re proud to be recognised by respected institutions across the UK and beyond.
Over the years, we’ve earned recognition from respected institutions across the UK and beyond with each award reflecting the standards we uphold and the trust placed in us by customers, partners and peers. These accolades highlight the strength of our business model, the depth of our expertise, our collaborative approach and the confidence shown by those we support every day. Here are just some of the highlights:
National Honour – Royal Recognition
A mark of distinction for leadership, impact and brand excellence.
In June 2024, Hydraulics Online’s reputation as a business exemplar was nationally recognised when Co-founder and Director, Helen Tonks, was awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List for Services to Business and to Exports. The honour reflects not only Helen’s contribution to the wider business and educational community, but also the strength and standing of Hydraulics Online as a brand that inspires others.
The investiture took place at Windsor Castle where Helen was presented with her medal by Anne, The Princess Royal. Read more here.
“Whilst the recognition is personal, it is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Hydraulics Online team and all that we have collectively achieved over the last 20 years. Hydraulics Online is seen as an exemplar to others and has given me a real platform to pay it forward to the wider business and educational community, regionally and nationally.” — Helen Tonks MBE
Customer Service Excellence
Our reputation is built on how we treat people. These awards reflect our commitment to delivering consistently outstanding service – whether we’re supporting a global OEM or a local engineer. They affirm the systems, culture and care that underpin every customer interaction.
- Winner – UK Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024, Customer Commitment – Business to Business: Recognised by The Institute of Customer Service – the UK’s professional body for service excellence. In a room filled with household names (including Sky, Virgin Atlantic, Specsavers, Dulux, Volkswagen, Auto Windscreen, Octopus Energy, Knight Frank, Openreach, Redrow, Boots, Shell, Severn Trent, Ageas) Hydraulics Online stood out for unwavering commitment to B2B customer care.
- South Cheshire Chamber – Excellence in Customer Service: Recognised for our “superb customer service approach” and “incredibly low number of complaints”.
- Highly Commended – Ambassador of the Year: Recognised for championing service excellence and business growth in the wider community.
International Trade and Export
From day one, we’ve operated with a global mindset. These awards recognise our ability to deliver technical excellence across borders, build trusted international partnerships, and support UK trade on the world stage. They reflect the strength of our brand, the scalability of our systems, and the confidence placed in us by customers in more than 130 countries.
- Export Champion – UK Department for Business and Trade (2019–Present): Selected annually for our global reach, sector expertise, and commitment to supporting UK trade. Hydraulics Online is the only business within the UK fluid power and hydraulic engineering sector to hold this prestigious title – reinforcing our role as a trusted, innovative, and globally respected brand.
- Winner – Greater China ‘Rising Star’ Award: Presented at the Department for Business and Trade’s Greater China Awards, recognising our significant contribution to developing business with Greater China. Open to organisations across North West England, the award celebrates bilateral trade, investment, and collaboration across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Business Leadership and Recognition
Hydraulics Online is built on vision, expertise, and a future-focused approach. These awards celebrate the leadership behind our growth, the entrepreneurial spirit that drives us forward, and the strategic clarity that continues to scale the Hydraulics Online brand.
We were particularly impressed by Hydraulics Online because of their global reach, their clear competitive positioning, and their strong business model.
If you have enthusiasm and passion and you combine that with excellent customer service – which Hydraulics Online do – you can succeed in exports.
We were impressed by Hydraulics Online’s commitment to the provision of a differentiated customer-led service in an otherwise complex and fragmented marketplace.
Showcased for Operational Excellence
Quality isn’t a checkbox – it’s a mindset. Our commitment to excellence is reflected not only in how we serve customers but in how we run the business. Hydraulics Online operates an ISO 9001:2015-certified Quality Management System, externally audited every year to ensure we meet and exceed global best-practice standards.
We’re proud to be held up as an exemplar within the fluid power and hydraulic engineering sector – recognised by the British Standards Institution (BSI) in a published case study for our strategic use of accreditation to strengthen operations, build trust, and support national and international growth.
“We wanted to do things properly and we knew of BSI’s reputation for quality and expertise. We wanted to ally their trusted brand with ours.” — Helen Tonks MBE
Get in touch to explore how we can support your next project.
Unlock your Fluid Power Potential with Hydraulics Online…
Case Studies
We work with integrity – and often in confidence. Some of the projects we support will remain confidential forever, and that’s exactly how it should be.
What you’ll find here is just a small, approved snapshot of case studies that showcase our hydraulic engineering expertise in action.
Technical Knowledge Hub
Sharing our knowledge of all things hydraulic is one of our greatest passions, which is why we’ve created the Hydraulics Online Technical Knowledge Hub!
With everything from free e-books to advisory articles, it doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner, or an industry professional you can be sure there will be something here for you.
Testimonials
Our customers say it best.
Since 2004, we’ve been trusted by businesses around the world to deliver independent expertise, responsive service, and solutions that work. From urgent one-off requests to long-term partnerships, we’re proud to be the team our customers return to – whenever they need us.
Stay ahead with expert Hydraulic Insights
Subscribe now for free technical guides, product updates, industry news and trends.
*required