Member News
Paul Griffiths, founder of hydraulic engineering firm Industrial and Marine Hydraulics (IMH), has been awarded Tees Business’ Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his life’s ambition to give his time, talent and efforts to others in Teesside.
The third annual Tees Business Awards were celebrated at Hardwick Hall on April 10th 2025, where more than 350 guests gathered to celebrate achievement and innovation in Teesside.
Born and bred in Middlesbrough, Paul Griffiths – a hydraulic engineer with more than 50 years’ experience – founded IMH from his family home in 1983 and grew the company to deliver major hydraulic engineering projects around the world.
Professionally, Paul is recognised for his technical prowess and his capabilities have been employed on some of the world’s most challenging engineering projects, including the Channel Tunnel and Extension Line, and the creation of a deep well capping stack winch system for Shell in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
He is also a champion of people and skills. Having gone through an apprenticeship himself he’s always keen to offer opportunities to others and share specialist hydraulic skills. This passion led to the creation of IMH’s apprenticeship programme which this year will employ its 30th apprentice. And in 2019 Paul was awarded an MBE for services to engineering skills and apprenticeships in Teesside.
Locally, Paul is well regarded for not just the financial commitment he gives to charities but also his time and skills that he offers up freely. No job is too small for Paul who has been known to marshal a car park, paint a church hall, fix a wheelchair and just taking people out for a coffee and a chat.
Paul Griffiths MBE, founder of IMH commented: “I’m absolutely blown away with this recognition and I’m extremely humbled.
“I would like to thank my family for their support and also the team at IMH who continue to amaze me with their advancing technical skills and willingness to learn. And for continuing to afford me the opportunity to support ambitions to develop specialist engineering talent in Teesside – that then are employed globally.
“Teesside is a thriving hub of industrial talent and I would like to thank Tees Business and its awards for enabling a light to be shone on the brilliant work that is taking place to better the region.”
James Griffiths, managing director of IMH, added: “I continue to be immensely proud of the work Paul (my dad) has and is doing for the people of Teesside. He is such a strong advocate of the region and will always sing the praises of the area and the people in it.
“It’s his legacy that everyone at IMH is looking to maintain, as the company has a strong reputation for hydraulic know-how and a willingness to find a solution. All of which are qualities which have been instilled by Paul.
“The whole of the IMH team wish to extend their congratulations to Paul on this recognition and are grateful for all that he has done and is doing to promote Teesside.
