necessary amount of energy to run the various electronic devices on board that vehicle. As military platforms evolve, so do the ancillaries and as a consequence, the need for power. Being solely reliant on the engine causes a multitude of problems particularly when devices rely on the power generated by the engine. An alternative power supply (or in military terms an Auxiliary Power Unit or APU) will solve that problem and any commercial hardware store will sell a generator off the shelf with pleasure. However, some military electronic devices are so sensitive that the Electromagnetic Capability (EMC) and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) from commercially available generators can cause interference, making the devices unusable. HGI has the technical capability to design bespoke generators and have majored on improving on those commercially available. Reducing the EMC and EMP is just one area HGI has improved on commercially off the shelf (COTS) generators. Additionally, making the COTS generator multi-fuel and low noise and if necessary almost silent have made their generators desirable by not only the UK MoD but other defence ministries. Much of HGI’s work goes unnoticed and as such they are unsung yet vital to many types of equipment.
HGI started supplying the MoD in 1998 by being subcontracted to Drumgrange for the Power Pack Repair Facility (PPRF) requirement for the Challenger main battle tank. In short, if the power pack of the Challenger failed on the battlefield it would need to be repaired in situ. PPRF would then be used and HGI provides the generator that powers the repair facility. Since crossing the threshold into the military world, HGI has continued to evolve and has produced some outstanding pieces of equipment. Many of these will be familiar, if not the generator then certainly the equipment. The more familiar generator used by the MoD is the LFG – Lightweight Field Generator. The LFG has been used for a variety of roles, serving the British Army now and for the next 15 years. Other programmes in which HGI have been successful include the provision of generators for use with Rapier, ASTOR, Reacher, Ptarmigan, Arthur and Cormorant. With the need for more electronics in modern warfare there will also be a requirement for power and that power will likely come from an unsung hero who does not ask for medals but sits quietly generating all the power that is needed.
Davina White G4 DEFENCE
Peter and Nadine Harrington formed HGI in 1979 as a partnership, with the express aim of building a range of small petrol and diesel generators for the plant hire market. Their competitively priced quality products coupled with a high standard of service appealed to a wide range of customers who had never before experienced such hands on attention, consequently the company grew rapidly. In 1987 Harrington Generators and Power
Equipment Ltd was formally established, and manufacture commenced in a purpose built factory in Wirksworth. Continued success and year on year growth necessitated rapid expansion.
In 2003 another new factory on
an adjacent site was purchased. This was doubled in size, resulting in at least 50,000 sq ft of production space. The key to Harrington’s success has
been dedication to customer care, and the fact that their highly trained staff is totally committed to offering the customer the highest possible level of service. In the year 2000, reflecting the now global
supply of generators, the company’s name was changed to Harrington Generators International Ltd.
(HGI LTD). Shortly
afterwards, the Company gained ISO 9000 for the design and manufacture of its products as well as its management systems. Early in 2006, Peter and Nadine retired
from the generator business and the Company was acquired by the engineering group FKI plc (Now Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Melrose plc) which because of its resources and expertise will allow HGI to go forward with confidence and break into new markets with new products.
LFG in action. Photo credit HGI
G4 DEFENCE
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