Hydraflex

What Hydraflex does

Hydraflex is a UK-based industrial manufacturer of flexible hose assemblies and related fluid-handling components, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bolton with operations across 10 European manufacturing and distribution sites following the February 2025 acquisition of Hydralectric International. The company operates two core divisions: the Metal Hose & Bellows division (established 2010), which produces bespoke stainless steel hose assemblies, expansion joints, pump connectors, vibration eliminators, vacuum assemblies, and steam hoses for extreme-temperature and pressure applications (-269°C to +750°C); and the Plumbing & Cooling division (established 1991), which manufactures WRAS-approved EPDM braided hoses, tap flexibles, gas hoses, and the proprietary DataCool silicone hose range developed for data centre liquid cooling since 2010.

The business manufactures to ISO 10380:2012, ISO 9001:2015, and PED 2014/68/EU standards, using fully penetrated TIG welding and 100% hydrostatic pressure testing at 1.5x design pressure. Products are made from Stainless Steel 316L hose with AISI 304/304L braid, EPDM rubber, PTFE, and silicone, with end connections including threaded, flanged, cam fittings, and adaptors. Bespoke fabrication is supported from prototype through mass production alongside stock items available for next-day despatch.

Hydraflex generates revenue through direct sales via its multi-branch UK footprint, e-commerce on hydraflex.co.uk, and trade/hose-trade customer channels. Pricing is quote-based for bespoke and OEM work with disclosed unit pricing on standard catalogue items. Customer segments span industrial/building services (M&E contractors), plumbing and heating OEMs, data centre operators (anonymised), catering and vending equipment manufacturers, petrol forecourt operators, and petrochemical process plants. Following the Hydralectric acquisition, the group reports £25M in revenue, £5M in EBITDA, and 160 staff, with MacBain family ownership and leadership under CEO Duncan MacBain and Group Managing Director Jay MacBain.

Name

Hydraflex

Legal name

Hydraflex

Website

https://hydraflex.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UK-based manufacturer of bespoke metal hose assemblies, expansion joints, braided flexible hoses, and specialised liquid cooling products for data centres, serving industrial, building services, plumbing, OEM, and catering customers across 10 European sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Hose & Fitting Manufacturing

NAICS

Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Hoses & Tubing (Rubber/Elastomer) (IMANALAA)

Keywords

• Metal hose assemblies
• Expansion joints
• Industrial hose manufacturing
• Flexible hose solutions
• Liquid cooling hoses

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Hose & Bellows: Manufacture and sale of metal hose assemblies and bellows for thermal expansion, vibration absorption, and fluid transfer applications. Both stock items and made-to-measure bespoke assemblies.
2. Plumbing & Cooling Hoses: Bespoke braided hoses for building services, plumbing, heating, catering, vending, and data centre liquid cooling applications. Includes WRAS-approved EPDM braided assemblies.
3. Loose Hose & Fittings: Bulk hose, braid, and fittings available for hose trade customers who have in-house facilities to manufacture their own assemblies, or for quick turnaround requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hydraflex is a UK-based manufacturer of bespoke and standard metal hose assemblies, expansion joints, and braided hose products for industrial, building services, plumbing, and data centre liquid cooling applications. The company operates two main divisions: Metal Hose & Bellows (stainless steel assemblies for temperatures from -269°C to +750°C) and Plumbing & Cooling (EPDM braided, WRAS-approved hoses and DataCool silicone hoses for data centres). Products are manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 10380:2012 standards across multiple UK and European sites, sold via direct sales, e-commerce, and trade channels.

Product overview

Hydraflex is a UK-based manufacturer of industrial hose and fitting solutions operating two main divisions: Metal Hose & Bellows (established 2010) and Plumbing & Cooling Hoses (established 1991). The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products including bespoke metal hose assemblies, expansion joints, PTFE assemblies, braided hoses, gas hose assemblies, and specialized liquid cooling solutions for data centres. The Metal Hose & Bellows division serves extreme temperature applications (-269°C to +750°C) with products like pump connectors, vibration eliminators, steam hoses, and vacuum assemblies. The Plumbing & Cooling division focuses on building services with WRAS-approved braided hoses, tap flexibles, chilled ceiling hoses, and the innovative DataCool hose range for data centre liquid cooling. The company also offers modular manifold systems, quick release couplings, and OEM products. Products are manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 10380:2012, and carry WRAS and PED 2014/68/EU approvals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DataCool: Silicone hoses developed for secure water transfer in Data Centres
• Hydraquip
• FleXprotect

Products and services

• Stainless Steel Bespoke Braided Flexible Hose Assemblies Bespoke stainless steel hose assemblies manufactured to ISO 10380:2012 standards in unbraided, single braid, or double braid configurations. Temperature range -269°C to +600°C, sizes from 1/4" to 16" NB. For industrial processes including HVAC-R, chemical, petrochemical, gas, and OEM applications.
• DataCool Hose Assemblies Silicone hoses specifically developed for secure water transfer in data centres for liquid cooling applications supporting AI-driven computing demands. Used in some of the largest and most technologically advanced data centres globally.
• Expansion Joints Joint components for thermal expansion, contraction and movement in structural and mechanical systems. Includes axial threaded, axial flanged, tied/untied vibration absorbers, lateral bellows, hinged, gimble, and rubber expansion joints.
• Pump Connectors Metal hose connectors designed to handle thermal expansion in piping systems and mitigate vibration from pumps. Made from Stainless Steel 316L hose with AISI 304/304L braid.
• PTFE Assemblies Polytetrafluoroethylene hose assemblies offering chemical inertness, extreme temperature resistance (-60°C to +260°C), and low coefficient of friction for aggressive chemical applications.
• Gas Hose Assemblies Rubber and stainless steel hose assemblies for gas, welding and leisure industries including radiant heater assemblies, catering gas hoses (BS669 Pt 2), annealed gas hoses, meter connectors, and caravan gas hoses.
• Solar Hose Flexible hoses for solar heating systems in sizes DN12 to DN25, available as uninsulated, single insulated, or twin insulated configurations with wire option. 316L stainless steel construction.
• Braided Hoses Readily available braided hose assemblies for heating, fan coils, and building services. Available in sizes from DN08 to DN50 with brass, plastic, or nylon end connections. WRAS-approved EPDM braided assemblies.
• Tap Flexibles Flexible tap connectors for domestic plumbing, available in WRAS-approved, non-WRAS, John Guest, and DM Fit configurations for confined installation areas.
• FleXprotect Anti-Microbial Assemblies Anti-microbial hose assemblies featuring Black Hytrel liner with Biomaster antimicrobial additive. Food quality, non-phthalate, flexible PVC construction for catering and vending applications.
• Modular Manifold System Custom-built modular stainless steel manifold systems for data centre liquid cooling applications, designed to enhance performance for both OEMs and operators.
• CDU Hose Connections Stainless steel CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) hoses for data centre liquid cooling systems, designed for high-performance cooling requirements.
• Quick Release Couplings Full flow and non-spill quick release couplings for liquid cooling applications in data centres, including CEJN ultraFLOW couplings and UQD stainless steel couplings.
• WRAS Approved Hoses Water Regulations Advisory Scheme approved braided hose assemblies for compliance with UK water regulations, including braided hoses and tap flexibles.
• Bulk Hose & Fittings Loose hose and fittings available for hose trade customers with in-house assembly facilities, or for quick turnaround requirements. 316L stainless steel hose with 304 wire overbraid.

Quantifiable outcome

• Temperature range from -269°C to +600°C (up to +750°C for welding collars)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EKI (Slovenia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2025Wholly owned European subsidiary of Hydraflex Group acquired through Hydralectric International transaction. EKI manufactures high-performance solenoid valves for water industry applications.
• Compralec (France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2025Wholly owned European subsidiary of Hydraflex Group acquired through Hydralectric International transaction. Compralec specialises in solenoid valves, pumps, and hoses for water industry.
• Hydralectric InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2025Specialist hose and valve manufacturer for water industry, acquired by Hydraflex Group on 20th February 2025. Established in 1973 with history of manufacturing bespoke hoses and high performance valves.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hydraflex-hose-group

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Hydraflex