Aeroquip History
Since 1940
Aeroquip History
Peter Hurst, a German imigrant to the USA is widely regarded as the Father of Aeroquip.
Peter graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree in Germany in 1933, then working in Berlin for Argus Motors. He then moved to England to work on an aircraft brake system with a British inventor - Mr Avery.
On returning to Germany, he developed re-usable and field attachable hose fittings, together with a self sealing coupling that allowed the aircraft wheels to be changed without having to dismantle the whole brake system.
Realising the economic potential for the systems he had developed, Peter Hurst went to the USA to find backing for his design. Word on the street is that he approached Parker Hydraulics, who declined to invest.
The year was 1939
Local businessmen in Jackson, Michigan recognised the enormous potential for the innovative design and Aeroquip was founded in 1940.
War is the father of innovation and the Aeroquip detachable, re-usable hose system soon became the standard for the US military aircraft. Ironically, as a German national, Peter Hurst was barred from the plant in the interests of national security, so did some work on the side for Coca Cola, reconditioning bottle caps for re-use.
Following the war, Aeroquip started to grow, by acquisition and the granting of licenses
1948 - First company acquisition - Aero-Coupling of Burbank, California.
1950 - Aeroquip IPO - 150,000 shares at $4 each.
1953 - move to bigger premises in Van Wert, Ohio…
breaking news….
AEROQUIP ACQUIRES PLANT; Buys Van Wert, Ohio, Factory of Sterling Electric Motors
1953 - Super Oil Seals and Gaskets of Birmingham, UK announces they have the British manufacturing rights for Aeroquip hose - production starts in 1961.
1959 - more acquisitions and expansion into Europe, with the construction of the Baden-Baden and Hann Muenden plants in Germany.
Baden Baden
Hann Muenden
1964 - Sales top $100million.
1970 - Aeroquip acquires Super Oil Seals and Gaskets and Aeroquip UK is formed.
1985 - Carlton Hydraulics established by Ken Clayton and Martyn Siddall as an Aeroquip distributor for South Yorkshire
1999 - Aeroquip is bought by Eaton.
2012 - Eaton acquires the SEL hose manufacturing plant in Turkey.
2021 - Danfoss acquires Aeroquip and most other hydraulic related products and brands from Eaton.
2025 - Carlton Hydraulics celebrates 40 years as an Aeroquip Distributor.
