At one of the National Fluid Power Association’s recent Future Leaders workshops, John Stenz, the CEO of FORCE America chatted with nearly 60 of the group’s members via Zoom, talking about the proper way to lead companies through a crisis — certainly a timely topic here in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has…

Young Spirits, a Scottish spirit bottling business which has revamped operations to produce much-needed hand sanitizer to fight the Covid-19 outbreak, has benefitted from a free loan offer from Edinburgh compressor manufacturer Vert Technologies. Vert’s offer to supply short-term cost-free compressors to manufacturing companies that need air for production machines is designed to help struggling […]

As part of our “Hack the Crisis: Engineering through COVID-19” series, Fluid Power World’s VP, Editorial Director Paul J. Heney spoke with Scott Meldeau, the Vice President-Commercial for Norgren about the company’s work in managing through the COVID-19 crisis. Check out the interview below.     [A lightly edited transcript follows …] FPW: Hi, I’m…

As much of the world begins to start slowly reopening after shutting down non-essential businesses and encouraging social distancing due to COVID-19, companies like Webtec are in good shape because of their already global staff and preparedness. Martin Cuthbert, Managing Director, said the manufacturer of hydraulic measurement and controls, was more prepared for the global…

As I am now working from home full-time, and I juggling three full-time jobs — mom to three very active girls, teacher and editor — I am reminded of some wise words of advice that my girls’ teachers have reiterated since they were in preschool. Children need a routine and consistency throughout their days, when in…

As it continues to operate as an essential supplier during the COVID-19 pandemic, MFP Seals’ team of engineers and machine operators are working hard to meet demand. The company is designing and manufacturing (or adapting someone else’s design to its injection mold and CNC machines), working hard to turn around projects in days, rather than […]

When adversity strikes, it’s easy to see what you can’t control. It’s far more difficult to recognize what you can control. The toughest task of all, however, is figuring out how to respond accordingly. For Jason Andringa and his colleagues at Vermeer Corp., a concerted effort to remain focused on what can be controlled has…

To help protect people from the COVID-19 virus while they keep up a minimum of essential daily tasks, Somtech Technologies SL in Valencia, Spain have changed production of their visors from 3D printing to injection molding. To be able to start production immediately after setting up the injection molding equipment, Somtech needed components for the…

TPC Automation has created a program to accelerate the manufacturing of medical ventilators. During the Shelter in Place order (National State of Emergency time period), the company will be offering a free pneumatic components program to manufacturers making medical ventilators for use with COVID-19 patients. “During this state of emergency, we are operating at full […]

Clippard in Cincinnati is proving its worth as an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it expects to see more personnel hired to meet the growing demand for its critical components and subassemblies for ventilators, diagnostic equipment, and other critical care devices to help fight the Coronavirus. “We are honored and committed to being…

Precision Associates Inc., Minneapolis, is ramping up its production of several essential rubber components for ventilator manufacturer Ventec Life Systems. Ventec recently announced plans to partner with GM to increase the output of these crucial units in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical patients suffering from the virus have difficulty breathing and require ventilator assistance […]

I had a great chat on Friday with Steve Cavera, National Sales Manager for Yates Industries, the St. Clair Shores, Mich.-based manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders. Cavera described his company’s moves over the past few weeks, as well as his positive outlook for Yates on the other side of this crisis. FPW: Tell us…

As the United States continues to focus on social distancing to combat COVID-19, more companies are revealing how the move home for their workers is impacting their business. Despite this, companies like Emerson’s ASCO and AVENTICS divisions continue to step up production on key technologies used in life sciences and laboratories, including ventilators, respirators, hospital…