The search for the oldest Hydrovane compressor

Whether it has been powering an operation for decades or has a legendary tale to tell, the CompAir team wants to hear from companies that are running an old Hydrovane compressor at their facility.

The Hydrovane brand was established in the early 1960s and is renowned for its durability and long lifespan. Many models are designed to last over 100,000 hours of operation, meaning that there are likely machines still in active service that are decades old.

Colin Mander, European Distribution Director for Ingersoll Rand explained the reasons behind the competition: "Established in Redditch in the early 1960s, where our rotary vane air compressors are still manufactured to this day, Hydrovane has a history rooted in British engineering.

"In 1974, the 23 series was the first air compressor to win an engineering award from the Design Council - so we thought what better way to celebrate our engineering heritage than to start a search for the oldest Hydrovane still in operation."

The competition is free to enter and is open from 4th August through to 19th September 2025. Entrants can email James Searle ([email protected]) with a photo of the compressor's data plate and the machine in situ along with their name, telephone number, company name and location.

Hydrovane compressors are renowned for their reliability. With only one major moving part, there is less stress on components and connected equipment. This helps to extend machine lifetime and reduce the likelihood of breakdown. All of this adds up to a compressor which can deliver reliable operation for a very long time, quickly repaying the initial investment cost.

Hydrovane rotary sliding vane compressors can run for the equivalent of eight hours of operation every working day for 40 years.

"While the Hydrovane design delivers excellent longevity and performance, we are also using the competition to remind users of the importance of regular maintenance from factory-trained engineers, using genuine spare parts," said Mander. "A well-maintained Hydrovane machine can have long intervals between servicing - sometimes thousands of hours between major maintenance tasks.

"We'd like to encourage any business with an old, working machine to get in touch and showcase the staying power of Hydrovane. We look forward to celebrating British engineering durability and long-lasting performance with everyone."