It’s that time of the year when everyone’s releasing sales data from Q1, and the big three fluid power players have all come out with numbers. Bosch Rexroth AG, which released 2011 final numbers, surpassed its growth targets for 2011, with sales of EUR 6.443 billion in the last financial year. The company said this represents a 27.2% rise over 2010 and is the highest sales figure in the company’s history. Additionally, almost 3,500 jobs were created in the company. Parker Hannifin Corp. reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings, raised its 2012 forecast and said demand in North American was driving results. Net earnings rose to $312.1 million in Q1, from $279.6 million a year ago. Sales rose 5% to $3.39 billion. North American industrial sales, profits and orders were all up, while international industrial sales, profits and orders were down. The company said that now it expects full-year earnings of $7.30 to $7.50 a share, up from its January forecast of $6.90 to $7.30. And Eaton Corp. announced net income per share of $0.91 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 10% over the first quarter of 2011. Sales in the quarter were a Q1 record of $4.0 billion, 4% above the same period in 2011. Net income was $311 million, up 8% over Q1 of 2011.

Seems like there are a lot of teaching jobs being posted in the fluid power space lately. Two that have caught my eye include a Fluid Power Technician Instructor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and a Hydraulics Instructor at the National Fluid Power Institute in Houston. The NFPA is looking for a digital content manager, sounds like a fun job for the right “social” person. And on the sales side of things, a Harrisburg, Pa. company is looking for an outside account manager for mobile hydraulics.

So much news the past couple of weeks. Nice story on Eaton Corp.’s hydraulic cylinders being used on a Japanese dam. Eaton also agreed to acquire South Korea manufacturer Jeil Hydraulics. FedEx Ground, Purolator, and UPS have received hydraulic hybrid package delivery evaluation vehicles from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. and Parker Hannifin. Each purchased an evaluation vehicle with assistance from CALSTART through a grant from the U.S. DOE. Speaking of Parker, the company donated four sets of hydraulic hoses to the Lincoln, Ontario fire department to power their Jaws of Life, a classy move. Quality Control Corp. announced that it has been acquired by an investor group led by Promus Equity Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm. And Comatrol has introduced the 09 Series Cartridge Valves for proportional and on/off pilot control of clutches, brakes and directional control valves.

If you’ve got the time to check out a video, there was a nice one posted by Bosch Rexroth on their marine and offshore applications. And you CANNOT miss video of the world’s largest Rube Goldberg machine, designed by some students at Purdue University.

Hot tweets:

@applerubber http://www.applerubber.com/seal-design-guide/ Seal Design Guide how many of you have a copy or use it online?

@stauffgroup Have you heard of STAUFF HI-Clean already? fb.me/OvoPuwsr

@fluidpowertips Dissolved water can be removed via vacuum dehydration; water removing filters only remove free-standing water.

@lindehydraulics Come over and like us on Facebook – facebook.com/lindehydraulics We will return the favour #Facebook #hydraulics #motors #pumps

@balluffsensors Balluff expands its industrial RFID product portfolio bit.ly/IxkSqE