Born in May 1932 in Salford, Manchester and lived in Ilford, Essex, until he was 6, before moving back to the North where he later studied engineering at Salford Royal Technical College.

After serving 2 years in the Merchant Navy followed by 2 years in the army, he pursued a career in industrial hydraulics in England, Switzerland, Spain, USA and finally Germany, where he founded Blain Hydraulics which is known worldwide as the finest elevator control valve manufacturer.

With customers and installations in more than 75 countries, Mr. Blain was a true pioneer and believer in the hydraulic elevator technology. A true gentleman and very good person at heart he was a visionary who worked tirelessly in the hydraulic elevator industry for more than 5 decades.