After receiving approval from the antitrust authorities, Bosch Rexroth has completed the acquisition of hydraulic specialist HydraForce on February 3. The acquisition of the Lincolnshire, Illinois (USA) based company was announced in July 2022. It strengthens Bosch Rexroth's footprint in North America and expands its distribution network to provide customers with a wide range of compact hydraulics solutions on a global scale.

To expand the global hydraulics business, Bosch Rexroth and HydraForce combine their presence in complementary regions and provide a more balanced coverage in Europe and North America, while enabling growth in Asia. Merging activities maintain regional supply chains for fast product availability and an even stronger customer support. “The acquisition of HydraForce broadens the hydraulics offering for existing and new customers, expands our global market access through additional indirect sales channels and provides opportunities for further growth,” says Dr. Steffen Haack, CEO of Bosch Rexroth.

While Bosch Rexroth offers a wider range of compact hydraulic components and systems, HydraForce focuses on mechanical and electrical cartridge valves and hydraulic integrated circuits (HIC). Compact hydraulics is particularly valuable due to its high power density and capabilities regarding essential functions in hydraulic systems. The world market for these systems has been growing continuously, and Bosch Rexroth expects its newly shaped Compact Hydraulics Business Unit to meet or exceed market growth.

The business activities of HydraForce will be integrated in the Compact Hydraulics Business Unit of Bosch Rexroth, which collectively then employs 3,900 associates and operates at nine manufacturing locations in the United States, Brazil, China, Germany, Great Britain and Italy.

The leadership team of the Compact Hydraulics Business Unit will consist of managers from Bosch Rexroth and HydraForce. Frank Hess, currently heading the Compact Hydraulics Business Unit of Bosch Rexroth, will lead the newly shaped organization. “We warmly welcome all HydraForce colleagues to our powerful Bosch Rexroth family and wish the entire Compact Hydraulics team a successful start,” adds Haack.

“As HydraForce and Bosch Rexroth join forces, we will combine our customer focus, application expertise and entrepreneurial know-how to achieve sustained growth above market. Together, we will continue to provide excellent support and innovations for our customers, further develop our strong relationships with partners, and open great opportunities for our associates,” says Frank Hess, Head of the Compact Hydraulics Business Unit of Bosch Rexroth.

As integration starts now, HydraForce and Bosch Rexroth customers and suppliers will continue to be served by their trusted contacts in the respective sales and purchasing teams and HydraForce will continue to operate under its own brand for the time being. The newly shaped Compact Hydraulics Business Unit will operate from its current headquarters locations in Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA, and Nonantola, Italy.