About Us

Hitting the Ground Running

696902400 February, 1992

With our focus on natural fibre erosion control solutions we quickly build a reputation in the industry and in the early years secured a variety of prestigious projects for our Soil Saver jute including:

Second Severn Crossing – 95,000m²

Sizewell ‘B’ Powerstation – 20,000m²

Kettering Northern Bypass – 21,000m²

A41 Kings Lanley and Beckhamsted Bypasses – 163,000m²

A358 Project – 24,000m²

A1/M1 Link – 195,000m²

Appointed Distributor for Synthetic Industries Geotextiles

712627200 August, 1992

From past experience in the technical textile market, we diversified in to geotextiles and became a key distributor for Synthetic Industries.

First Significant Geotextile Project

736214400 May, 1993

We supply 32,000m² of high strength woven geotextile to the Second Severn Crossing Project

Saving the Day

773020800 July, 1994

Works on the £46.7m major A465 Aberdulais to Glynneath road project were jeopardised when the original geotextile supplier was unable to deliver the materials ordered.

We were urgently approached by Alfred McAlpine and successfully offered an alternative high strength geotextile within an acceptable timetable, at very short notice, and consequently supplied over 600,000m² of woven geotextile to help keep the project on schedule.

Appointed UK Distributor for UCO Agrotextiles

775699200 August, 1994

Through past connections we were proud to be appointed the sole UK distributor for the UCO agrotextile range.

UCO were the largest manufacturer of horticulture fabrics in Europe and had a comprehensive range of products for a wide range of applications.

Family Business Expands

780969600 October, 1994

David Poole joins his step-father Mike and mum in running the family business.

David qualified as a quantity surveyor before taking a gap year to backpack around the world.

Initially, it was a temporary position while he decided his career path, but he fully embraced his new role and the business grew rapidly.

Sales of Covertex Grow

783648000 November, 1994

Hy-Tex 18 (Later renamed Covertex) premium grade woven ground cover demand grows, due to it’s quality and price, and quickly becomes specified on many large scale landscaping projects including numerous residential developments and civil projects such as Southport Waste Water Treatment Works where 16,000m² was used for longterm weed control.

We are awarded the contract to supply Netlon (the largest supplier to the garden center and nursery market at the time) both standard and mini-rolls. A relationship that lasted for many years.

Demand for the agricultural and fruit growing sector expands too with over 15,000m² supplied to one fruit grower alone.

Sedimat the First Silt Mat Launched

817776000 December, 1995

With our growing reputation in the biodegradable erosion control market we were approached about, and subsequently awarded, the sole European distribution rights for a new pollution control product called a Sedimat.

Sedimat silt mats are a patented product designed to provide a pratical solution to trap disturbed sediment during instream construction actitivities. The mats quickly became popular with the Environment Agency and still play an import role in our product portfolio.

CoirMesh Erosion Control Highlights

820454400 January, 1996

CoirMesh coconut fibre erosion control mesh sales continue to grow due to the tough durable nature of this fully biodegradable blanket.

Recent highlights include:

7,500m² of CoirMesh 700 and 900 selected for use on the M66 joint venture to protect against harsh erosion conditions

3,200m² of CoirMesh 900 for a civil engineering project in Audenshaw

8,300m² of CoirMesh 400 for the Cornish Wildlife Trust in a specialist application that required an open weave tough mesh to retain heather brashing for moorland restoration

3,000m² of CoirMesh 700 to protect the banks of Llandegfedd Reservoir

9,000m² of bespoke 1,400g/m² tight weave coir meshes to protect slopes at a gold mine in Ghana

2,000m² of CoirMesh 700 for an Environment Agency project at Crossens Embankment

First Cherry Rain Cover

857174400 March, 1997

Working closely with the Farm Advisor Services Team (FAST), and local cherry growers, Hy-Tex develop Clearweave, a unique cherry rain cover, that protects the fruit from rain damage during the critical rippening time.

The covers, combined with new root stocks, help cope with our unpredictable climate and result in significant replanting of cherry orchards.

Soil Saver Erosion Control Highlights

865123200 June, 1997

Soil Saver geo-jute erosion control mesh continues to prove very popular for general erosion protections with a number projects including:

8,000m² Fernlea Tip restoration

6,000m² Didcot B power station

12,000m² St Fergus Gas Terminal for marram grass restoration on sand dunes

54,000m² M65 Blackburn road works

Clearweave Cherry Covers Prove Popular

891388800 April, 1998

During the 1998 season we supplied nearly 2,000 cherry rain covers to farmers thoughout the South of England as confidence in growing cherries increases, due to this new form of protection

Appointed UK Distributor for Lys Fabrics

893980800 May, 1998

With growing market share in both geotextile and agrotextile fabrics, we were appointed the UK distributor for the new Belgian manufacturer Lys Fabrics, which later grew to become Beaulieu Technical Textiles Group.

Covertex Demand High

915148800 January, 1999

Covertex sales continue to grow rapidly with numerous landscape contractors becoming regular clients, becuase of the quality, price and speed of delivery we offer.

The horticulture market also embrace the brand and we supply many fruit farms, nurseries and a major worm farm company.

We also welcome a further distributor to the DIY and garden centre market, with sales of over 1,000,000m² per year and growing.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

933465600 August, 1999

As a high profile forward thinking project the Channel Tunnel Rail Link placed an emphasis on protecting the environment and were concerned with potential watercourse pollution from silt laden stormwater run-off.

As a result they selected our unique Sedimats to protect the streams and rivers, using over 700no during the project.

We also supplied significant quantities of Terralys LF16/16 and LF29/29 geotextiles plus CoirMesh erosion control meshes.

CoirMat Added

936144000 September, 1999

CoirMat, a dense coconut fibre erosion control blanket, was added to our biodegradable range. With early projects including 20,000m² to Kendal Fell Landfill and over 1,000m² to The Eden Project, Cornwall.

Soil Saver Demand as Stong as Ever

938649600 September, 1999

Soil Saver demand remains strong with an Edmund Nuttall site in Aberbargoed using over 72,000m², 21,000m² for Rugby Cement Works, with other notable projects including the Millennium Coastal Park at Burry Port, Pitreavie Link Road, Dumferline and exports to Jordan.

CoirMesh Proves Popular

940377600 October, 1999

CoirMesh sales grow with a diverse range of projects including:

MoD works at Aldershot

2,800m² CoirMesh 400 for Sandown Sewage Treament Works on the Isle of Wight

2,000m² CoirMeshh 900 for Pumping Station at Llanelli

1,500m² Eaton Park, Grovesnor Estate

2,400m² Blaydon Quarry, Tyne and Wear

5,500m² CoirMesh 900 Environment Agency, Tickton

1,800m² Millennium Dome Site, Greenwich

4,300m² to Ballyclare, Co Antrim

1,900m² for an Environment Agency beck in Thorpe in Balne

Eurotunnel – Samphire Hoe Protection

946684800 January, 2000

Situated at the base of Shakespeare Cliff near Dover, Samphire Hoe is a wildlife haven created from Channel Tunnel excavation spoil. During the vegetation phase the newly formed landscape was highly vulnerable to erosion from wave action. Our CoirMesh 900 was selected as the best solution and we subsequently supplied over 20,000m² of this grade plus a bespoke composite version incorporating a synthetic yarn for permanent reinforcement in extreme areas.

Agrotextile Range Expands

951868800 March, 2000

We significantly expand our range of woven and knitted nets and meshes for horticultural applications to complement our existing, and very popular, weed control fabric and bird nets.

New Biodegradable Weed Control Solution

954374400 March, 2000

We pioneer the use of more environmentally friendly biodegradable weed control blankets with the launch of MulchMat, a dense needlefelt blanket made from jute fibre. Early projects include the A22 Bypass in Eastbourne

Coir Bio-Rolls and Pallets

959817600 June, 2000

We increase our biodegradable range with the addition of CoirLogs and CoirPallets for the protection of water margins and the restoration of marginal aquatic plants. Early projects include works on the new river loop at Enfield, Eastway Cycle Circuit at Stratford, Henley Royal Regatta (where both CoirLog and brushwood faggots were supplied) and an Environment Agency project at Rothley.

Major UK Geotextile Supplier

967766400 September, 2000

With the new Terralys range of woven geotextiles, we quickly establish ourselves as a major supplier in the UK.

In the first couple of years we supply over 3,500,000m² of standard clause 609 separator geotextile to builders merchants alone, and secure contracts to supply many civil engineering projects direct too, including 20,000m² of specialist 200kN/m polyester high strength woven geotextile to the A2/M2 roadway project.

Geotextiles to Kosovo

980985600 February, 2001

Over 55,000m² of high strength Terralys LF29/29 woven geotextile supplied to the U.N. Interim Admin Mission in Kosovo for infrastruture works

Root Barrier C3 Launched

993945600 July, 2001

Recognising the unique features of a new fabric developed by our manufacturer for the horticultural industry, we soon launched it as a flexible, highly puncture resistant root barrier, called Root Barrier C3.

Initially targeted at tree root control, because it was so easy to work with and came in widths up to 4m, it was quickly adopted by invasive weed control contractors to control Japanese Knotweed, Hog Weed, and Bamboo.

Root Barrier C3 remains one of our largest sellers thanks to its’ competitive pricing and reputation.

Insect Mesh Scotland

1001894400 October, 2001

Hy-Tex secure a contract to supply over 600,000m² of 8/5 insect mesh to a swede grower based in Perth.

These fine woven insect meshes are particularly beneficial at controlling insect damage where chemical use is restricted, and trials have demonstrated significant improvements in both crop quality and yield. The grower has since estimated a 98% reduction in pesticide use by using insect mesh protection.

Cherry Covers Everywhere

1080777600 April, 2004

Norton Cherries purchased over 84,000m² (1,400 covers) of our unique Clearweave cherry rain covers to protect their crops from rain damage during the critical rippening time, as they offered far better performance than competing options.

First Silt Fence Launched

1088640000 July, 2004

Back in 2001 we were working closely with contractors on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to help control stormwater run-off pollution.

In particular we experimented with various fabrics to create an effective silt fence.

Building on this, and worldwide research, we developed a purpose made silt fence called Terrastop Premium which was quickly adopted on major civil engineering projects and soon became the best management practice – created the market for silt fences in the UK.

Demanding Mine Restoration

1091145600 July, 2004

Our unique CoirMesh Loop 1400 erosion control mesh, which incorporates a raised loop pile to enhance performance, was selected by Scottish Coal to line channels on a high profile mine restoration scheme. Over 18,000m² was used to great effect.

Largest Temporary Grass Car Park

1146441600 May, 2006

Due to our reputation in the industry, Tarmac chose Hy-Tex to supply over 36,000m² of GrassMesh Heavy-Duty (since replaced by the Flex 1800) for a massive temporary grass car park at Bristol Airport. This remains the largest project of its kind in the UK

Silt Management on Major Gas Pipeline Project

1177977600 May, 2007

Recognising the high performance and unique feature of Terrastop Premium silt fence, a major gas pipeline project from Feliindre to Brecon used over 80,000m to control storm water run-off pollution over a 2 year period.

The project also used nearly 300 of our unique Sedimats to manage disturbed sediment during instream activities, along with large quantities of CoirMesh and Soil Saver to control surface erosion and restore vegetation after the works.

New Cherry Farm

1228089600 December, 2008

A new cherry farm chose Hy-Tex Clearweave covers over alternative solutions to protect over 11,000m² of orchard

Major Expansion

1251763200 September, 2009

With the continual expansion of Hy-Tex we were out growing both office and warehouse space.

Fortunately, there was opportunity to revive, and restore, a business premises in the village so we became the proud owners of Aldington Mill (formerly Harts Mill), increasing our storage to over 20,000ft² with onsite offices.

First Fully Biodegradable Weed Control Mat Launched

1280620800 August, 2010

Hy-Tex launch Ecotex MulchMat, the first fully biodegradable weed control blanket that is EN13432:2000 certified compostable.

Made from PLA (fermented plant sugars) the fabric offers significant environmental and performance benefits, providing the first effective alternative to synthetic and hybrid ground cover fabrics.

Moorland Restoration Project

1317427200 October, 2011

Over 45,000m² of Soil Saver jute mesh was supplied to Moors for the Future as part of ongoing restoration to peat uplands damaged by fires and over grazing.

We were awarded the project not just because of our fabric quality and competitive rates but because we were the only company to meet their demanding delivery schedule and packaging requirements – as all materials had to be helicopter lifted to the remote sites.

Sad News

1406851200 August, 2014

David takes control of the business when his step-father Mike Hyder, the founder of the business, sadly passes away unexpected.

Family Business Grows

1409529600 September, 2014

Karen, David’s wife, joins Hy-Tex to help share the workload and keep him under control.

Family Tradition Continues

1435708800 July, 2015

David’s step-son, Ryan Markham, joins the company continuing the family tradition and starting the next generation.

Ryan worked in communications before joining Hy-Tex. His skills and enthusiasm help rejuvinate the company and take us in new directions.

CoirMesh exported to Ivory Coast

1527811200 June, 2018

Due to our large capacity and reputation for quality Hy-Tex were awarded a contract to supply over 160,000m² of CoirMesh 700 for major restoration works at a gold mine project in the Ivory Coast.

Thanks to our expertise we were able to manage the challenging logistics and deliver the full order before the rainy season began.

Moorland Fires

1530403200 July, 2018

Following the devastating moorland fires near Bolton, a utility company urgently need to protect the fire burnt bare slopes surrounding their reservoirs to avoid sediment pollution.

We were the only company able to supply 20,000m² of Soil Saver in less than a week, just in time to protect the banks before rains arrived and encourage vegetation restoration.

Pro-Tex™ Drain Inlet Filters Launched

1567296000 September, 2019

Pro-Tex™ Drain Inlet Filters introduced into the UK. A unique solution to trap silt and debris before it enters road gullies.

R&D Investment

1577836800 January, 2020

As our company continues to grow, we invest in a CNC cutting machine to develop and produce new products inhouse.

COVID

1583020800 March, 2020

COVID lockdown begins but we quickly return to work to supply major projects like HS2 that continue to operate, and we quickly become even more busy with our robust supply chains.

New Ecotex™ Tree Mats

1601510400 October, 2020

Ecotex™ biodegradable tree mats, which are produced in-house thanks to our CNC investment, launched. With a novel on the roll tear-off option available.

Eco-Haven™ Biodegradable Tree Guards Launched

1633046400 October, 2021

Eco-Haven™, our unique biodegradable tree guard range, launched following extensive research and development work in-house.

Biobrane™ Biodegradable Drain Guards and Dewatering Bags Launched

1633132800 October, 2021

The worlds’ first biodegradable drain guards and dewatering bags introduced under the Biobrane™ brand

Ecofender™ Bio Biodegradable Newt Barrier Launched

1672531200 January, 2023

Ecofender™ Bio the first ever fully biodegradable newt barrier launched.

Eco-Haven™ Sleeve Biodegradable Hedge Guards Launched

1682899200 May, 2023

Eco-Haven™ Sleeve, the first ever truly soil biodegradable hedge guards launched after being developed in-house to extend our range of tree protection options. With the range quickly expanded to include larger diameter tree and shrub shelters.

Patent Awarded for SiltPocket™ Biodegradable Check Dam

1702857600 December, 2023

We are proud to anounce that we have been awarded a patent for our SiltPocket™ biodegradable check dams. This novel solution for restoring moorland and controlling erosion is another in-house invention.