A GLOBAL manufacturer of hydropower turbines is celebrating the centenary of one of its most popular pieces of machinery.

Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon, in Kendal, is this year celebrating the centenary of its Turgo Impulse Turbine.

The Turgo was designed in 1919 by Eric Crewdson, grandfather of Gilkes’ current chairman Charles Crewdson OBE.

The first ever 30KW Turgo was installed at Invergeldie Lodge near Crieff in Scotland in 1919 and there are now over 1000 installations worldwide, ranging from 25KW to 7.5MW. To date Gilkes have supplied Turgo turbines to 65 countries.

Eric Crewdson died in 1967 but his legacy to Gilkes lives on in the modern versions of the Turgo Impulse Turbine which continue to make a major contribution to hydropower around the world.

Charles Crewdson said: “During four hard years on the battlefields of World War One, my grandfather was already thinking to the future, and succeeded in patenting his design and selling the first Turgo within months of leaving the army.

“It is a truly astounding feat, and has great resonance today as the company attempts to think through the world’s troubles and do what is best.

“We couldn’t have a better role model.”