About ECHA Microbiology
The Company
ECHA Microbiology Limited has its origins in the University of Wales, Cardiff where Ted Hill lectured and also ran a consultancy and testing service from 1965-1983. Utilising his pioneering research and practical experience in the field of industrial microbiology, particularly in investigations of the bio deterioration of petroleum products and the fouling and corrosion associated with this, Ted with his son Graham, established an independent company in 1983.
Since then ECHA has provided a unique investigative, consultancy and analytical service, specialising in solving problems of microbial fouling, spoilage and corrosion which occur during the production, distribution and use of fuels and other petroleum products. ECHA also has expertise in the control of microbial contamination in a wide range of other industrial products, consumer products and medical devices and in the investigation of microbially influenced corrosion.
Our Clients
ECHA’s products and services are used by a wide range of aerospace companies, airlines, ship owners and managers, power generation companies, major oil companies, engineering industries, chemical companies, consumer and medical product manufacturers, water treatment companies and armed services, and also by legal firms and insurers.
Key Personnel
Managing Director / Consultant:
Edward C. Hill, M.Sc., F.Inst.Pet., M.I.Mar.Eng.
Senior Lecturer in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Wales, Cardiff from 1970 to 1983, was Chairman of the Institute of Petroleum Microbiology Committee from 1985 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 1998 and was presented an Award of Council by the IP in 1998.
He was a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers Microbiology Committee and is their technical editor for the new handbook ‘Microbial Problems on Ships’. He has written over 250 papers and book chapters relating to microbial spoilage and corrosion. Ted is ECHA’s ,anaging Director and in particular directs the company’s Test kit business.
Laboratory Director / Consultant:
Graham C. Hill, B.Sc., M.Inst.Pet.
Graham graduated from Southampton University in 1983 with a joint honours degree in Biology and Oceanography and then spent a brief period employed by the Microbiology Department at the University of Wales, Cardiff, before helping to establish ECHA Microbiology later that year. He has over 25 years of practical experience of world wide investigation of microbial spoilage and corrosion, particularly in the petroleum, aviation and marine industries. He is author or co-author of over 30 technical papers and book chapters, primarily on petroleum microbiology and microbially influenced corrosion and has made many technical presentations on these subjects world-wide. These include a key chapter on sampling and monitoring of fuels in the ASTM Manual 47 on Fuel System Microbiology published in 2003. Graham is the Chairman of the International Association for Stability, Handling & Use of Liquid Fuels (IASH) and also Chairs the Energy Institute (previously Institute of Petroleum), Microbiology Committee . He is a member of IATA's Technical Fuels Group and maintains an active role in the IATA task force developing best practice for preventing microbiological contamination in aircraft fuel tanks. Graham is Director of ECHA’s Testing and Consultancy Service.
Director:
Dr Gisela A. Hill, Dr. rer. Nat.
Gisela graduated from Gottingen University (Germany) with a Ph.D. (Dr. rer. Nat.) in microbiology, organic chemistry and biochemistry in 1964. She joined Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, as head of the microbiology Department in 1965. Gisela was the German national representative in the Microbiology Sub-committee at the COLIPA (Comite de Liaison des Synyndicats Europeens de l’Industrie de la Parfumerie et des Cosmetiques) in Brussels. She worked with German Universities to organise and lecture at extra-mural courses. Gisela joined ECHA in 1986. She has been active in organising many scientific symposia and she has authored a definitive work on the preservation of cosmetics and toiletries.
Product Manager:
Derek J. Collins, B.Sc.
Derek is a graduate microbiologist and has been with ECHA for over 10 years. He has co-authored several technical papers and is now responsible for test kit production, quality and technical service.