Engineering excellence isn’t just about precision machining, structural repairs, or round-the-clock industrial maintenance. At Hickman Engineering, it’s about the people behind the spanners, the relationships forged in workshop heat, and the family values that have driven this company from its earliest days right through to 2026 and beyond.
Located in the heart of Immingham, we believe that true quality comes from a mix of technical skill and personal integrity. This is a philosophy you can read more about on our About Us page.
Where It All Started: Apprenticeships and Ambition
Every great engineering story begins with someone willing to get their hands dirty. Hickman Engineering’s foundation rests on decades of hard-earned experience, starting from humble apprenticeship roots and growing through pure grit and determination. The company’s journey reflects a classic British engineering tale: skilled craftsmen who learned their trade the proper way, serving time on the workshop floor in Lincolnshire before building something lasting.
This approach to learning and growing hasn’t changed. Walk through Hickman Engineering’s workshops today and you’ll find experienced engineers working alongside newer team members, sharing knowledge that spans generations. It’s the kind of mentorship that can’t be taught in textbooks: real-world problem solving, innovative solutions, and the satisfaction that comes from fixing what others consider unfixable.
The Workshop: Where Friendships Are Forged
Industrial workshops aren’t typically associated with family atmospheres, but Hickman Engineering breaks that mould. Between the heavy machinery servicing, line boring and custom fabrication projects, genuine camaraderie develops among the team.
Whether it’s two technicians collaborating on a complex reach staker repair or an engineer mentoring someone through their first major project, these interactions build more than just technical competence. They create lasting bonds that extend well beyond standard working relationships. The shared challenges of meeting impossible deadlines, solving engineering puzzles, and delivering results under pressure naturally brings people together.
More Than Just Emergency Response
Hickman Engineering’s reputation for rapid response and technical excellence is well-established across Immingham and the industry. But behind every successful emergency call-out, whether for ravestein repairs or standard maintenance, there are individuals who take genuine pride in their work.
The engineer operating the precision lathe isn’t just following technical specifications: they’re crafting solutions with personal investment in the outcome. The mobile technician responding to an urgent breakdown call doesn’t just see it as another job; they understand that businesses depend on their expertise and speed. This personal connection to the work creates a culture where excellence becomes natural rather than forced.
Building Relationships Beyond the Workshop
Industrial engineering might seem like a purely technical field, but Hickman Engineering has always recognised that lasting success comes from genuine relationships. This extends to client partnerships, supplier connections, like our work with NT Liftec, Volvo Penta and the broader engineering community.
Long-term client relationships develop when companies consistently deliver quality work with integrity. But they’re strengthened when clients recognise they’re dealing with real people who care about solving problems, not just completing transactions. Many of Hickman Engineering’s strongest partnerships span years, built on mutual respect and shared success stories.
Embracing Change Without Losing Identity
As 2026 approaches, engineering technology continues evolving at breakneck speed. Advanced diagnostics, laser jet cutting, digital monitoring systems, and automated processes are transforming how industrial maintenance and repair work gets done. Hickman Engineering embraces these technological advances while maintaining the core values that built the company.
The same engineer who expertly handles traditional welding and fabrication techniques also adapts to new tools like modern Beta Marine systems. It’s this combination of traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation that keeps Hickman Engineering competitive. But the fundamental approach remains unchanged: attention to detail, commitment to quality, and pride in workmanship.
The Fun Factor: Why Enjoyment Matters in Engineering
Heavy industrial work is serious business, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable. Hickman Engineering has always understood that people do their best work when they genuinely enjoy what they’re doing. This doesn’t mean cutting corners or compromising safety: quite the opposite.
When engineers find satisfaction in solving complex problems, when team members share a laugh during challenging repairs, when everyone feels valued for their contributions, the quality of work naturally improves. Happy, engaged employees take extra care with their tasks, suggest innovative solutions, and go beyond basic requirements to deliver exceptional results.
Making Memories That Matter
The engineering industry tends to focus heavily on technical specifications, completion times, and cost efficiency. These metrics are important, but they don’t capture the human experiences that make work meaningful. At Hickman Engineering, memorable moments happen regularly: successfully completing a particularly challenging repair, helping a client avoid costly downtime, or simply the satisfaction of a job well done.
These experiences create stories that get shared for years. The emergency call-out that saved a production line. The innovative fabrication solution that solved a seemingly impossible problem. The apprentice who mastered a difficult technique. These memories become part of the company culture, inspiring current and future team members.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
As Hickman Engineering moves forward, the company’s commitment to family values, technical excellence, and genuine relationships remains unwavering. The engineering challenges will continue evolving, client requirements will become more sophisticated, and technology will advance further.
But the fundamental principles that built this company: hard work, integrity, continuous learning, and treating people right: will continue guiding every decision. New team members will learn these values alongside technical skills. Client relationships will deepen through consistent, quality service. Innovation will emerge from the combination of experience and fresh perspectives.
The Hickman Engineering Difference
What sets Hickman Engineering apart isn’t just technical capability: though the expertise in Ravestein repairs, precision machining, and emergency response is undeniably impressive. The real difference lies in the company culture that treats every project as an opportunity to build relationships, solve problems creatively, and deliver results that exceed expectations.
This approach creates a positive cycle. Satisfied clients become long-term partners. Engaged employees become skilled craftsmen and problem solvers. Challenging projects become opportunities for growth and innovation. Success stories become the foundation for tackling even bigger challenges.
Values That Endure
As the industrial landscape continues changing, certain values remain constant at Hickman Engineering. Respect for craftsmanship. Pride in problem solving. Commitment to client success. Investment in people development. These principles guided the company through its founding years and will continue shaping its future.
The combination of technical expertise and human connection creates something special: an engineering company that clients trust, employees enjoy working for, and partners respect. It’s this balance that transforms routine maintenance calls into lasting partnerships and challenging projects into shared success stories.
Moving into 2026, Hickman Engineering carries forward the best of its past while embracing the possibilities of the future. The family values, work ethic, and commitment to excellence remain unchanged. The willingness to adapt, innovate, and grow ensures continued success. Because ultimately, engineering excellence isn’t just about getting the job done: it’s about how you get it done, who you work with, and what you build together along the way.
