Based in Dartford, Kent, Hammond Drysuits is a family-run business that has been manufacturing a wide range of drysuits for over 40 years. Our products, which are exclusively made in the UK, have gained an excellent reputation and we also supply throughout the commercial and leisure sectors to all who are on and in the water looking to stay dry. The drysuits can be made-to-measure or standard size. In addition to manufacture, at Hammond we provide a full repair service and stock our own range of CoreTek undersuits, designed to be worn under a drysuit.
Where it all began
Brian Hammond [pictured left] started manufacturing drysuits for London Dinghy Centre (LDC) in 1979 under the Gobi name. It came about when Howard Taylor, a friend of Brian’s and owner of the LDC (now RS Sailing) approached Brian to see if he could produce a range of drysuits to sell in his store; the STX100 drysuit was born.
In 1981 the name changed to Hammond Drysuits, and today the Company is better known as Hammond and continues to be a family run business by Chris [pictured right] (Brian’s son) and Natasha Hammond.
Brian, a skilled craftsman, embraced all problems posed and as such, designed all his own fittings many of which are still being used today albeit utilising some advanced modern technology where possible. Hammond always has and continue to design and manufacture in-house in Dartford, Kent.
In the 1980s the first Hammond drysuits were designed for sailors following the relationships with Howard Taylor, this quickly progressed to those taking part in water-skiing, scuba diving, jet skiing and windsurfing. Today there is our commercial range for Search and Rescue Crews as well as an industrial range for those who work around the coastline, rivers and inland waterways.
Although this is the main area of business in 2005, a doctor approached Brian and Chris as her daughter had a Hickman Line fitted which she could not get wet. Together the first shortie drysuit was produced which has grown to become one of Hammond’s most popular suits. Today Hammond work with a number of charities and individuals around the UK, Ireland and the USA helping to get children and adults back in the water throughout their treatments.
Brian has always been very hands on in the business, producing suits when they are required for all types of watersports and diverse industries including robot covers for car spraying facilities and cast covers for children and adults with broken limbs. Although he still has a keen interest in the company, Chris joined him full time in the mid-1990s and since then has learnt the ropes and taken the company forwards. Today Hammond continue the manufacture drysuits in house as well as expanding the range incorporating Hammond’s own range of thermal layers, CoreTek.
The story continues…
