Manuli buys French maker of equipment for hydraulic hose

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Milan, Italy-Manuli Rubber Industries SpA has bought French maker of machinery for assembling hydraulic hose, Techmaflex.

Hydraulic hose experts Manuli describe the equipment maker, whose headquarters are in Nantes, France, as "the market leader for design, manufacturing and distribution of swaging and other machinery for hydraulic hoses and fittings."

Techmaflex, which finished 2005 with a turnover of about Euros 8 million, employs 40 people and has 10 000 sq.m of production facilities near Nantes, said Milan-headquartered Manuli, in 1 Feb statement on its new operation.

The Italian hose maker said the purchase will allow Manuli Rubber Industries Group "to expand the range of products and services it offers its customers." Manuli sees itself as the market leader in design, manufacturing and distribution of hydraulic hoses and fittings.

This achievement,” commented Dardanio Manuli, chairman and ceo of Manuli Rubber Industries Group, permits us to continue in our policy to increase business in the hydraulics sector.”

Manuli Rubber Industries said that its plans to run Techmaflex as a separate division. This will allow it to make the most of "a well-known brand, appreciated all over the world, that has achieved significant penetration, even on Asian markets."

At the same time, added Manuli, it intends to develop a new high-added-value range to carry the Manuli brand with the aim of supplying a fully integrated service for Manuli customers.