Froude, Inc. USA
41123 Jo Drive, Novi, MI USA
Froude, Ltd. UK
Blackpole Rd, Worcester WR3 8YB

In 1877, the water brake dynamometer is invented.

william froude
Our Founder, William Froude, 1810 - 1879

Froude invented the water brake dynamometer

Froude has been designing, manufacturing and supplying engine test equipment since William Froude invented the water brake dynamometer in 1877 at the request of the British Admiralty to produce a machine capable of absorbing and measuring the power of large naval engines.

The group we have today has evolved from the original business named Heenan & Froude. “Froude” originates from the renowned English engineer, William Froude (1810-1879). An Oxford University graduate, his initial experience was in railway building before he turned his attention to Naval Engineering. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a colleague and friend who frequently consulted Froude about the design of the Great Eastern. From his extensive research on ship hulls, Froude established the Froude Number, which is still used today in the development of marine vessels as the hydrodynamic equivalent of the Mach Number. It is during this period that he invented the hydraulic (water brake) dynamometer to test engines for large naval ships. His son, Richard Froude, joined forces with Hammersley Heenan to form Heenan & Froude in 1881 and the Froude dynamometer was introduced on a commercial basis. The company gradually extended its product portfolio to include tests on ship engines, cars and aircraft.

Froude's experience spans over 145 years. The corporate headquarters and manufacturing center is based in Novi, Michigan USA, with a manufacturing and support center located in Worcester, UK. The worldwide company focuses on the design, manufacture and supply of AC dynamometers, eddy current dynamometers, hydraulic dynamometers, low & high-speed dynamometers, controllers & data acquisition software, as well as ancillary equipment.

A Brief Timeline of Froude History

1877

William Froude invents the hydraulic dynamometer

1877

1881

Richard Froude forms the Heenan & Froude Co. & the Froude dynamometer was introduced

1903

Heenan & Froude company transferred to Worcester, UK

1903

1937

Heenan Group had 5 factories and comprised 7 engineering companies

1952

Hofmann Pruftechnik GmbH starts the production of roll test rigs. 

1952

1968

Heenan Group acquired by Redman Engineering, company renamed as Redman Heenan Froude Ltd

1974

Froude Engineering Ltd, Test Plant Division, located at Gregory's Bank in Worcester

1974

1983

Consine Dynamics joined Froude Engineering Ltd

1987

FKI acquired Froude Engineering Ltd

1987

1995

Froude acquired Hofmann Pruftechnik and Brush Automotive Test

2002

Froude Hofmann acquired Go Power Systems 

2002

2007

Froude Hofmann became part of Harris Watson Holdings PLC

2015

Froude Hofmann forms joint venture with TeSys Engineering creating Froude-TeSys

2015

2016

Froude Inc (USA) and Froude Ltd (UK) continue the Froude engine testing product line and the Hofmann division is sold to TeSys
Froude historic dynamometer
Froude Dynamometers
Froude dynamometers are renowned the world over as high quality, reliable and accurate. Our test equipment will provide a return on your investment for many years.

Froude, Inc. 
41123 Jo Drive, Novi, MI 48375 USA

Froude, Ltd. 
Blackpole Road, Worcester WR3 8YB 

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