Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in Fluid Power

Dear Readers,

This issue marks a momentous occasion as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Fluid Power Journal, and it is our 300th edition!

Our journey began with the inaugural issue in January 1994. It was the brainchild of Jim Morgan, then Executive Director of the FPS, along with key members of the FPS Executive Committee, notably George Nordenholt, Fred Brown and I. We developed a vision to create a publication that would become a cornerstone for the fluid power industry.

Throughout 1993, we dedicated countless hours to refining the concept of a publication that would deliver the most relevant and insightful news to our industry. The months leading up to our first issue were filled with excitement, purpose, and a fair share of trepidation. It was the unwavering support from numerous individuals and fluid power companies that turned this vision into reality.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to and supported the Fluid Power Journal on behalf of the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS). Your dedication has been instrumental in our success.

Like any worthwhile endeavor, our journey has not been without its challenges. We owe special thanks to Dave Prevalet and John Groot, who went above and beyond to support both the publication and the society.

A heartfelt thank you to our tireless team, who work diligently to bring you the Fluid Power Journal in print and online each month: Hannah, Bob, Nick, Mike, Dan, and Lauren. Your efforts are the backbone of our success.

We are honored to serve you, our readers. Your engagement and support have been the driving force behind our achievements over the last 30 years.

Please enjoy the Fluid Power Journal timeline on page 28, and a special thank you to our year-to-date 2024 advertisers on page 36 & 37!

A special thank you to the Journal Oversight Committee:

• Chauntelle Baughman, OneHydraulics Inc.
• Tom Blansett, IFPS
• Brian Dittmer, IMI Precision Engineering
• Dan Helgerson, FPJ Technical Editor
• Jeff Hodges, Altec Industries, Inc.
• Garrett Hoisington, Open Loop Energy
• Donna Pollander, IFPS
• Scott Sardina, Waterclock Engineering
• Bradley (BJ) Wagner, IFPS

The fluid power industry is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by digitalization, energy efficiency, sustainability, material and manufacturing advancements, and electronic monitoring and controls. We hope that the Fluid Power Journal can play a significant role in helping manufacturers and end-users navigate these trends. Our focus will be on enhancing efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and improving safety and reliability. Embracing these technologies will be crucial for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

We believe the future of fluid power is not just about moving fluids and air; it’s about moving towards a smarter, more efficient, greener, and connected world. Our goal is to continue producing the best industry trade journal in print and online, month after month.

Thank you to our readers, advertisers, supporters, and the International Fluid Power Society for your continued support. Here’s to another 30 years of success and innovation!

Sincerely,

Paul Prass
Publisher, Fluid Power Journal
PPrass@FluidPowerJournal.com