Denison’s Innovative Beginnings Show Through in Quality, Flexible Parts
Hydraulic Parts Source specializes in four product lines: Vickers, Denison, the Rexroth A10VSO series, and Servo and Proportional valves. In this article, which is part of a series on the origins of each of the major hydraulics brands we offer, we’re focusing on Denison Hydraulics.
Denison’s high-quality and flexible products have a reputation for withstanding the test of time, and being especially useful when applied to diverse mobile and industrial applications.
Denison has a long history of innovation, starting with the advent of hydraulics and continuing through tough economic times as a leader in new and versatile products.The vast HPS lineup of Denison products includes this powerhouse’s pumps, motors, valves, and servo/proportional parts. These products continue to provide the versatility and quality needed for remanufacturing year after year.
Who is Denison?
Denison Hydraulics Inc. is owned by Parker Hannifin, and is headquartered in Marysville, Ohio.
With revenues of about $180 million, the hydraulics parts manufacturer has 1,150 employees in North America, Europe and Asia.
Denison is a global leader with a comprehensive line of:- Axial piston pumps and motors
- Vane pumps and motors
- Control valves (directional, pressure, proportional, and modular stack valves)
- Hydrostatic transmissions
- Electronic control cards
- Electro hydraulic systems
And although the manufacturer fell on some hard times over its 120-year history, Denison continues to be a preferred choice of hydraulic products around the world, for applications demanding high performance, dependability, and flexibility.
An Innovative Origin
Denison was founded in 1900 in Delaware, Ohio, as Cook Motor Company, manufacturing only heavy duty single-cylinder industrial gasoline engines.After World War I, Bill Denison took over Cook Motor Co. just as the engine market was dying.
But Denison had an idea to develop a machine that was designed to slowly move cars full of clayware through a kiln. It was the first hydraulic machine, and the beginning of a long history of innovation.
The advent of hydraulics, called HydrOILics at the time, helped sustain the company through tough times. If you have time, Google the word “HydrOILics” and you can find some operable machinery nearing it’s 100th birthday!Cook Motor Company went into receivership, and was reorganized as the Denison Engineering Company during The Great Depression. They continued to innovate with products such as the Billet Pusher and the “Compact” Power Unit.
Other key dates in Denison’s history:
- 1933 — Denison operates under contract with the Budd-Ranney Company after a fire destroyed the Delaware plant
- 1935 — Denison acquires Budd-Ranney and begins to test stands and presses to assist in making weapons and aircraft
- 1939-1945 — Denison buys facilities throughout Columbus and a research center in Powell, Ohio, to test hydraulic operated fuel transfer valves for airplanes and teach customers about the merits of hydraulics
- 1955 — Denison sells business to American Brake Shoe
- 1962 — The business moves to Marysville, Ohio
- 1966 — American Brake Shoe changes its name to ABEX and during the next 20 years, continues to be a leader in the development of high-performance fluid power products
- 1986 — ABEX sells the Denison division to a Swedish manufacturer of Radial Piston Hydraulic Motors, Hagglunds
- 1991 — Denison splits into two groups: Hagglunds Drives and Hagglunds Denison
- 1993 — Hagglunds sells the Denison portion to three private investors and changes its name to Denison Hydraulics Inc.
- 2003 — Parker Hannifin acquires Denison International for $240 million
Denison Hydraulics: Truly Innovative
Today, Denison’s competitive and well-built products are among those that stand up well to the remanufacturing process, coming back to life easily through help from HPS.Its striking and successful 120-year history of innovation and longevity leaves no mystery as to why Denison is a preferred hydraulic brand choice around the world, and a preferred choice here at HPS.
Of HPS’s more than 2 million hydraulic parts on the shelf, Denison products continue to lead the way with high performance, dependability, and flexibility that stand the test of time. Get a quote on a product now by clicking here.