If you're involved with industrial equipment, chances are you're familiar with the publicly celebrated name Bosch Rexroth, a worldwide leading supplier of automation, framing, and hydraulic technologies; however, we see many hydraulic customers wonder about their previously offered hydraulic filters. Whatever happened to that business unit?
(This is where I come in) I interviewed Tracy Long (pictured left, view on LinkedIn), Business Development Manager at Hengst Filtration, to learn about how they became the new owner of Bosch Rexroth's hydraulic filtration units. In this blog post, I'll share what I discovered.
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Who is Hengst Filtration? | Why Did Hengst Acquire Rexroth Filtration? | Acquisition Process Details | How Has the Transition Impacted Customers? | What Differentiates Hengst? | What’s new at Hengst? | Summary
Who is Hengst Filtration?
Hengst Filtration is a global company specializing in advanced filters and filter elements to meet the highest industry standards. They offer a comprehensive range of filtration solutions for hydraulic fluids, lubrication oils, industrial fluids, and gasses. Hengst is committed to reliability and quality and is designed to meet international standards and regulations.
Why Did Hengst Acquire Rexroth Filtration?
As a filter company, Hengst saw great potential in breaking into the hydraulic sector. This move aligns with their overall company scope and allows them to tap into a market with significant growth opportunities. Hengst and Bosch Rexroth are trusted names in the industry, known for producing high-quality products that customers prefer. And with their expertise in filtration, Hengst was pleased to offer a product customers want and need to protect their valuable equipment.
Hengst also planned to diversify its offerings beyond one of its main product applications, which primarily relies on diesel fuel. As the trend shifts away from diesel engines towards cleaner alternatives, the need grew to explore new spaces and pivot accordingly.
Tracy says, "We are always rethinking technologies to protect what's important to us. We start by considering the smallest details, always researching and developing more advanced filter technologies working on technologies that will effectively help us achieve a cleaner environment".
Bosch Rexroth, on the other hand, was seeking a new home for their hydraulic filter units. This presented a golden opportunity for both companies to form a mutually beneficial partnership that "marks a significant milestone in expanding Hengst's capabilities and global reach in the hydraulic filtration industry,” according to Tracy.
Acquisition Process Details
Due to the significant scale and importance of the transaction for both parties involved, the acquisition between Hengst and Rexroth Filtration took three years to complete. The process required clearance from US Antitrust laws and establishing master agreements for the acquisition. The acquisition process began in 2019 and continued through 2021, culminating in the physical acquisition in Germany and the corporate acquisition of worldwide hydraulic filter sales activities. As part of its North American operations, Hengst maintains a warehouse facility in South Carolina, further strengthening their regional and local presence.
The process was finalized in Germany in early 2021 and later that year in the United States. Under the acquisition, Hengst acquired the hydraulic filtration business of Bosch Rexroth, specifically including the facility located in Ketsch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This site employs approximately 190 individuals and conducts sales activities in over 30 countries worldwide. Along with acquiring the hydraulic filter know-how, Hengst became the sole owner of the hydraulic filters produced by Rexroth Filtration.
How Has the Transition Impacted Customers?
All filters are now labeled as Hengst products to ensure continuity, although the branding still includes the "formerly Rexroth" label for easy recognition. During the transition, the packaging and labeling process includes essential information, such as Hengst part numbers, former Rexroth numbers, and detailed descriptions, to ensure seamless identification.
The global team has worked closely to integrate both companies and systems, resulting in a hassle-free transition for customers. Rest assured, if you previously ordered Rexroth filters, you will now receive Hengst-labeled filters, ensuring a smooth and consistent experience.
Transitioning from Rexroth Filters to Hengst Filtration is a smooth process for customers who are already familiar with Rexroth and have established partnerships. It also helps that Hengst maintains strong relationships with Bosch Rexroth channel partners, like Airline, treating them as valued customers, and allowing them to offer high-quality products and support to their customers.
What Differentiates Hengst from Other Filter Companies?
During our interview, a conversation sparked between Tracy and Rob Panzarella, Fluid Systems General Manager at Airline (read his blog posts here), and it became clear that Hengst sets itself apart from the competition in numerous ways.
Tracy: ” We strongly emphasize building and maintaining robust relationships with our channel partners, such as Airline. This commitment ensures smooth transitions and enables us to meet customer demands, even during challenging times when sourcing necessary components may be difficult. This is why we provide a weekly list of available in-location stock, allowing our partners to access the required items easily.”
Rob: “I can’t tell you how rare that is and how impactful it can be for my projects.”
Tracy: “We take pride in that. And our ability to develop our proprietary media combinations allows us to push the boundaries of filtration technology. Our expertise in microfiltration, gas filtration, and life sciences applications sets us apart from other companies in the industry.”
What’s New at Hengst?
Hengst is currently focused on maintaining the highest product quality, ensuring product availability, providing cross-over options, and introducing new and innovative filtration solutions like the 250LEN. Tracy says, “We now offer a filter select and cross-over feature to further simplify your filtration selection process. This user-friendly tool allows you to enter different vendors' element numbers and easily find the corresponding Hengst cross-over.” This feature lets you explore various options and confidently make informed decisions for your filtration needs.
Summary
The acquisition of the Rexroth Filtration unit marks an exciting chapter for Hengst Filtration as they expand their expertise and offerings in the hydraulic sector. They are dedicated to maintaining the highest product quality and customer satisfaction standards. What do you think about the transition?
Resources
- Hengst Website
- Hengst Product Overview Brochure
- NEW 250LEN high-pressure series filter
- Filter Select
- Other Hydraulics Blog Posts
- Airline YouTube Channel
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