From mining, agriculture, to manufacturing, the constant push for ever greater efficiencies across operations means businesses are demanding more from their equipment every day. Trusted, reliable and innovative supply partners are a key element in keeping industry moving.
According to Stephen Forbes, Executive General Manager – Motion Fluid Power Solutions, supplying quality products from a distributor of trusted global and local brands supported by industry leading technical support and solutions, positions Motion as an attractive partner for any business that relies on keeping its operations moving. However, he emphasises that it’s the ‘solutions’ element that makes Motion’s wide-ranging offer even more valuable.
“It’s not just a matter of customers giving us a part number and us sourcing it for them,” Stephen states. “Customers can come to us with a problem, and we’ll aim to tailor a solution that best suits them.”
Motion offers the full suite of fluid power related products including hydraulic and industrial hose, fluid connectors and couplings, valves, componentry, and controls, as well as a vast range of ancillary products to complement. Supporting our product offering via our unmatched branch network, we have the support of our engineering and technical teams, as well as the 1800 HOSE VAN operating throughout Australia. Motion Fluid Power Solutions also has specialist operations for the manufacture of bespoke, high-end welded hose assemblies for applications that require a high level of technical precision – such as those in the chemical, fuel, and food and beverage industries.
This all combines to make Motion Fluid Power Solutions a true one-stop-shop for the Australian industry.
Powell in Motion
Last October, Motion celebrated the acquisition of the Australian-owned industrial and hydraulic hose and fittings supplier Powell Industrial, in a strategic move to further solidify Motion’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for its customers. “With the addition of Powell, Motion is now the largest player in the industrial hose and fittings segment in Australia,” Stephen states. “We’ve added their product lines – including several exclusive brands such as Exitflex and Optima – to our existing Advanced Industrial Products (AIP) business.”
Stephen emphasises, “Motion is now in the process of harmonising our industrial hose offering to bring customers a more seamless experience when dealing with us on these products.”
“AIP is largely East Coast based, specialising in agriculture, irrigation, and construction dewatering,” he says. “Powell’s offering complements that nicely, being stronger in general industrial and hydraulic hose supply.” Another major benefit for the Powell acquisition is the integration of its 12 branches across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. “The Powell business has certainly filled in some geographical gaps for Motion’s industrial hose offering,” Stephen says. “However, more importantly, it also brought a great team with a lot of expertise and great customer relationships on board.”
Mutual growth
Dave Leggett, Motion National Hydraulic Sales Manager – Powell Industrial, says bringing Powell and Motion together is a win for customers on both sides.
“Bringing Exitflex into the fold gives Motion customers another quality option,” he explains. “Powell has imported the Exitflex brand for the past seven years, and it’s offering has been well tailored to the Australian market – particularly in mining. Additionally, there’s a very strong sales and support team that comes along with it.”
Matt Pembroke, Motion’s National Sales Manager – Industrial at Powell Industrial, says Motion is also set to benefit from the supply chain established by Powell.
“We’re a direct importer from all over the world, and strategic partnerships with brands like Exitflex have really set us apart,” he says. “We’ve been able to supply hose products at a very competitive price point, and at high volumes. This has allowed us to compete on large-scale contracts in mining, civil and tunnelling.”
Dave states that Powell’s integration into Motion has served to highlight the people-centric focus of the Motion business.
“It was pretty overwhelming at first, being the new kids on the block,” Dave says. “Everyone has been keen to get to know us better, figure out how we fit into the business, and how we can help Motion’s customers. It’s been a fun ride so far.”
Stephen adds that the Powell team was able to make an immediate impact.
“The very first week after the acquisition, we had some senior Powell team members fly interstate to solve a customer’s problem that we’d been struggling with,” he says. “And I think that demonstrated the value that the Powell team immediately brought to Motion”.