DP Seals has been supplying Hope Technology with custom rubber seals and mouldings for over 20 years. Leading mountain bike specialist Hope Technology manufactures absolutely everything it needs in its new Barnoldswick Factory, with the exception of the electronics in the lights, brake pad material, hose, bearings – and rubber seals supplied by DP Seals.
Founded some 30 years ago by two Rolls Royce aerospace engineers, Hope pioneered disk brakes for mountain bikes. Today, in addition to their world-renowned disk brakes, the company also manufacture drive train parts, hubs and lights as well as riding gear and bike cleaner. The founders’ Rolls Royce heritage underpins the company’s focus on product quality through engineering precision. When combined with their commitment to produce virtually every part in the UK factory – from raw material to finished item – any outside source is chosen very carefully. Twenty years ago, Hope needed a specialist custom rubber seals and moulding supplier.
Working closely with Hope’s design team, DP Seals has developed several mouldings for disc brakes and lights, and delivers between 5,000 to 20,000 items every other month. The brake components are individually composed of specific blends of materials (DP Seals forté), combined to offer high tensile strength and excellent resistance to silicone oils, greases and brake fluids.
“Off-the-shelf seals and o-rings don’t always fit the bill, we often need custom components to meet specific needs, or polymer blends with very demanding characteristics. DP Seals not only delivers the highest quality backed with very sound engineering, its company ethos is very similar to our own.”
Simon Sharp, co-founder, Hope Technology
Now, 30 years on, Hope Technology employs 85 people, several of who started out at the beginning and a huge 90% who live within 2 miles of the factory. The whole range of mountain bike components are produced in the company’s Barnoldswick Factory, right down to the connectors, shims, pawls, and other small parts that go into making the finished piece. More information is available at hopetech.com