Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon

What Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon does

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd (Gilkes) is a UK-headquartered engineering manufacturer founded in 1853 and based continuously at Canal Head, Kendal since 1856, operating under family ownership since 1881. The company designs, manufactures, and supports two product lines. The hydropower line supplies Francis reaction turbines, Pelton and Turgo impulse turbines, and a compact sub-150kW turbine range, plus integrated PLC control systems (G99/G100-compliant) and the HydroView remote monitoring platform, serving utilities, developers, rural communities, and water-treatment operators across more than 85 countries with a cumulative installed base of over 6,800 turbines. The pump line supplies precision-engineered engine cooling pumps (single and dual-circuit) for high-horsepower diesel and gas engines used in power generation, marine, rail, mining, and oil and gas, alongside lubricating oil pumps and aftermarket support for steam and gas turbines. Core OEM customers include Caterpillar, Cummins, Progress Rail, and Wabtec, serviced through branded remanufacturing programs (Caterpillar ReMan, Cummins ReCon, EMD UTEX, Wabtec UX).

The business model combines project-based hardware sales (water-to-wire turbine supply and pump design co-development with engine builders), subscription-style recurring maintenance revenue through Bronze, Silver and Gold service tiers for hydropower assets, plus professional services for refurbishment, modernization and condition assessment. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales via dedicated project teams supported by a UK headquarters, three Scottish service centres (Fort William, Invergordon, Stirling), and a wholly-owned North American manufacturing subsidiary, Gilkes Inc. (Kemah, Texas, established 1978, new factory 2009). Manufacturing is vertically integrated in-house, encompassing ANSYS Fluent CFD, FEA, Creaform 3D scanning, Mazak INTEGREX 5-axis machining, and an APQP-style five-stage product development process.

Gilkes has built significant intangible assets around its heritage: a Royal Warrant for Water Turbines dating to 1897, the original 1919 Turgo turbine patent by Eric Crewdson (the grandfather of a subsequent chairman), repeated Queen's Awards for Export (1969, 2010), an Oliver Wight Class A planning certification (2018), recent supplier-excellence recognition from Caterpillar (2023) and Cummins (2022), and a 2023 BHA Historic Renovation Award. The company is privately held with no external funding rounds disclosed, revenue is not publicly disclosed, and headcount is in the 101-250 range.

Name

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon

Legal name

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd

Website

https://gilkes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1853

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon is a privately held UK engineering manufacturer (founded 1853, Kendal) that designs and builds hydro turbines (Francis, Pelton, Turgo) plus engine cooling and lubricating oil pumps, serving utilities, communities, and major engine OEMs across more than 85 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydropower Turbines and Industrial Pumps

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydropower Turbines, Generators & Balance-of-Plant Equipment Manufacturing (EUAMAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydroelectric Turbines & Governors (IMAHAFAD), Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)

Keywords

• Hydropower turbines
• Engine cooling pumps
• Lubricating oil pumps
• Hydroelectric power systems
• Pump refurbishment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kendal

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hydropower Equipment Sales: Design, manufacture, and supply of hydropower turbines including Francis, Turgo, Pelton, and compact turbines. Complete water-to-wire solutions from concept to commissioning. Equipment sales to utilities, developers, communities, and industrial facilities worldwide.
2. Engine Cooling Pump Sales: Supply of precision-engineered engine cooling pumps for diesel and gas engines. Single and dual-circuit solutions for power generation, marine, rail, mining, and oil & gas applications. Includes original equipment and OEM partnerships with Caterpillar, Cummins, Progress Rail, and Wabtec.
3. Lubricating Oil Pump Sales and Support: Aftermarket pump support for steam and gas turbine systems including complete pump replacements, genuine spare parts, and full refurbishment services. Original manufacturing records enable exact specification matching for legacy installations.
4. Maintenance Contracts: Flexible service packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold tiers) providing preventative maintenance, inspections, breakdown response, remote technical support, and preferential call-out rates. Ongoing service revenue from UK and international hydropower customers.
5. Hydropower Asset Services: Consultation, site surveys, condition assessments, refurbishment, modernization, and turbine replanting services. Includes strategic spare parts packages and long-term asset management support for hydropower operators.
6. Pump Refurbishment Services: Full remanufacturing process at UK headquarters and Gilkes Inc. Texas facility. Combines refurbished components with new seals, bearings, gaskets, and fasteners. Supports Caterpillar ReMan, Cummins ReCon, EMD UTEX, and Wabtec UX programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon designs, manufactures, and supplies small-scale hydroelectric turbines (Francis, Turgo, Pelton, and Compact ranges up to 20MW) and precision-engineered engine cooling pumps plus lubricating oil pumps for high-horsepower diesel and gas engines. The company provides complete water-to-wire solutions from concept to commissioning for hydropower customers, and supports engine manufacturers and operators across power generation, marine, rail, mining, and oil & gas sectors. Lifecycle services include tiered maintenance contracts (Bronze/Silver/Gold), refurbishment, modernisation, spare parts, and the HydroView remote monitoring platform.

Product overview

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon (Gilkes) is a UK-based engineering manufacturer with over 170 years of experience offering hydropower and pump solutions. The company operates two main product lines: hydropower systems (comprising Francis, Turgo, and Pelton turbines, compact turbine range, and hydropower control systems) and engine/lubricating pumps (engine cooling pumps for diesel/gas engines across power generation, marine, rail, and mining sectors, plus lubricating oil pumps for steam and gas turbines). These products are complemented by HydroView remote monitoring software and comprehensive asset services including maintenance contracts, optimisation/modernisation, and refurbishment. The company holds a Royal Warrant for Water Turbines and has exported over 6800 hydro turbines to 85+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HydroView: Remote monitoring solution for hydropower assets providing secure turbine monitoring, real-time alerts, and remote diagnostics for hydropower plant optimization

Products and services

• Francis Turbines Reaction turbines for low to medium head applications (30-400m head range). Water enters through pressurised spiral casing directed by adjustable guide vanes (electric or hydraulic actuation) onto runner blades. Available in horizontal and vertical configurations. With over 1,400 installations across 66 countries, Francis turbines are particularly suited for energy recovery in water treatment facilities and general hydropower generation.
• Turgo Turbines Original impulse turbine design developed and patented by Gilkes in 1919. Designed for medium head applications (50-250m) up to 10MW. Operates at twice the speed of Pelton turbines, reducing generator size and potentially eliminating the need for a gearbox. Maintains high efficiency across a wide flow range and is well suited to medium head applications, rural electrification, run-of-river hydropower, monsoon climates with high sediment load, and industrial/municipal power generation. Over 1,000 installations in 65 countries.
• Pelton Turbines High-efficiency impulse turbines for high-head, low-flow applications (100-1000m head range) up to 20MW. Uses high-velocity water jets directed onto a runner. Available in single or multi-jet configurations with horizontal or vertical arrangements. Gilkes has developed the Streamline range for sub-1MW projects with simplified civil engineering requirements. Installations across 57 countries.
• Compact Turbine Range Sub-150kW Pelton and Turgo turbines engineered for small-scale hydropower applications. Features compact case design, electric actuation (instead of hydraulic), and precision-engineered runners and spear valves. Includes fully automated control system capable of managing grid-connected and islanded installations with micro PLC control, touch screen HMI, and secure remote connection.
• Engine Cooling Pumps Precision-engineered cooling pumps for diesel and gas engines used in power generation, marine, rail, mining, and oil & gas industries. Offers single and dual-circuit solutions (combined auxiliary and jacket water cooling from a single pump) with focus on durability and long-term performance. Gilkes pumps are reported to deliver up to six times the service life of competing products. Supplied to OEM partners including Caterpillar, Cummins, Progress Rail, and Wabtec Corporation.
• Lubricating Oil Pumps Dedicated aftermarket pump support for steam and gas turbine lubrication systems, supplying genuine spare parts, OEM replacements, and full refurbishment services. Includes Booster Pump Turbine (BPT) for suction support. Original manufacturing records enable exact specification matching for legacy installations, avoiding reverse engineering.
• Hydropower Control Systems Integrated hydro control systems connecting turbines to the grid. Features PLC control panels, protection relays (G99/G100 compliant), synchronising relays, and metering. Manages turbine operations, performance tracking, and safe grid connection, including black start capability. Compatible with both grid-connected and islanded installations.
• HydroView Remote Monitoring Next-generation remote monitoring solution for hydropower assets. Provides secure remote access via industrial VPN gateway, multi-site access from single login, mobile/tablet app, advanced user management with custom access groups and roles, audit logging, and enhanced remote support allowing Gilkes engineers to diagnose and optimize systems remotely.
• Hydropower Asset Services Comprehensive services including tiered maintenance contracts (Bronze, Silver, Gold), optimisation and modernisation, refurbishment, HydroView monitoring, inspection, condition assessments, and strategic spare parts packages. UK service centre network covers Kendal headquarters and three Scottish centres in Fort William, Invergordon, and Stirling.
• Pump Refurbishment & Spare Parts Full lifecycle pump support including remanufacturing at Gilkes Inc. Texas facility (Kemah, established 1978) and from UK headquarters. Serves Caterpillar ReMan, Cummins ReCon, EMD UTEX, and Wabtec UX remanufacturing programmes. Combines refurbished components with new seals, bearings, gaskets, and fasteners. Includes OEM-grade spare parts with full traceability and refurbishment to original specifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6800 hydro turbines exported to over 85 countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature10 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Canyon Hydro: US-based small hydropower OEM focused on Pelton, Turgo, and crossflow turbines for low-head community-scale projects. Directly comparable niche competitor to Gilkes.
• Mavel: Czech small-hydro turbine manufacturer producing Pelton, Francis, and Kaplan turbines up to ~30MW. Closest direct competitor to Gilkes in the small-to-medium hydropower niche.
• Ossberger: German small-hydro turbine specialist with crossflow and Pelton turbines. Highly comparable niche competitor in the small hydropower market segment Gilkes serves.

Broad incumbents

• Andritz Hydro: Global hydropower OEM offering Francis, Pelton, Kaplan turbines plus generators and BOP across all scales. A larger, broader incumbent that competes with Gilkes in small-to-medium hydro but dominates utility-scale projects.
• Kirloskar Brothers: Large Indian pump manufacturer offering industrial, agricultural, and engine-related pumping solutions. Overlaps with Gilkes' pump portfolio and has a broader product range.
• Sulzer: Swiss global pump and rotating equipment manufacturer serving power, oil & gas, and industrial markets. Competes with Gilkes in industrial pump applications and rotating equipment services.
• Voith Hydro: Major German hydropower OEM with full-range turbine portfolio and integrated grid solutions. Overlaps with Gilkes in small-to-medium hydro and competes globally in refurbishment services.
• Flowserve: US-based global pump and valve manufacturer serving power generation, oil & gas, and industrial markets. Overlaps with Gilkes in pumps for power and industrial applications.
• GE Vernova: GE's energy business including GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions. Offers turbines and generators for utility and small-scale hydro, with a much larger service footprint than Gilkes.
• SPX Flow (Johnson Pump): Global industrial pump manufacturer with engine cooling and marine pump offerings. Competes with Gilkes' pump business in OEM cooling pump supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GilkesMedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/GilkesKendal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilbert-gilkes-and-gordon-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/gilkes_ltd

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon