For over 50 years Hydraulic Controls, Inc. (HCI) has been a premier fluid power distributor and systems integrator in the Pacific Southwest. They have 13 employee owned full-service branch offices, conveniently located throughout California, Utah, Arizona and Colorado.

HCI maintains a comprehensive inventory of hydraulic components at every branch, each a full-service facility with a strong commitment to providing outstanding customer service.

Hydraulic Controls Inc. was founded in 1965 by Richard A. Cotter in a modest facility in Emeryville, California. The business initially focused on sales of hydraulic equipment for mobile as well as industrial applications, reflecting the nature of their two principle product lines.

From Farming to Fantasmic, HCI Expands Business and Services

Since a considerable amount of business was developed early with specialty manufacturers of fruit harvesting and product handling machines, HCI decided to open a branch operation in the center of the Sacramento Valley. A small branch was established in a rental facility north of Yuba City to provide local inventory support and service capabilities to customers in that area.

Subsequently, branch operations have been established in Redding, Stockton, Fresno, Modesto, and Tulare, California as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, Denver, Colorado, and Phoenix, Arizona. HCI established an important presence in the greater Los Angeles market and expanded into the San Diego area several years later.

HCI: An Employee Owned Company

As an employee-owned company, their goal is to be recognized by their customers as the one source that can and will meet their requirements without exceptions or excuses.

To do that, HCI carries a large and complete inventory featuring the finest products from the industry's most respected manufacturers. Every hydraulic product, from a reel of hose to a servo valve, is available for immediate shipment.

Throughout the years, Hydraulic Controls Inc.’s technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. In 2001, HCI stepped into the 21st century by partnering with Tribute, Inc. in order to better manage inventory levels, control finances, and provide high levels of quality customer service. Tribute and their staff assisted in an implementation which spanned across eleven branch offices and four states.

Implementing Streamlined Process Measures with Tribute, Inc.

During the 2002 - 2007 fiscal years, using Tribute's software has played a key role in the continued success of Hydraulic Controls by providing straight forward business solutions such as Auto emailing and faxing of invoices, statements, and acknowledgements to our customers. This implementation has helped HCI save over $18,000.00 the first year.

Implementations such as cycle counting have been key in the management of inventories across eleven branch offices. HCI eliminated the need for annual inventory counts which rack up overtime hours and detract from daily business. Bin Management has been crucial in this program, making shelving and pulling product more effective and less costly.

Helping Bring Films & Disney Shows to Life

HCI proves that the hydraulic & pneumatic distribution industry is not boring. Working with Bosch Rexroth, HCI provided all of the critical hydraulic components to power the key mechanical effects for the film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Read the full article on this interesting project in Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Other past film projects include: Titanic, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, The Perfect Storm, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2. In addition, the LA branch has just completed the re-design of the animatronic dragon for Disney's live show Fantasmic!

“The dragon in Fantasmic! is technically complex and the largest and most fully animated Disney character ever created for a live stage show,” says Mike Hyland Director of Disneyland Resorts Public Relations.

A Tribute customer since 2001, Hydraulic Controls implemented Tribute's flagship product, TrulinX, in 2016. 

Whether providing components for fruit harvesting or children's fantasies, Hydraulic Controls continues to move forward in its business model and continues to use software by Tribute, Inc. as a base line for growth, technology, cost reduction, and business practice streamlining.

Hydraulic Controls, Inc.
California, Arizona, Colorado & Utah
www.hydraulic-controls.com

Pictures: #1) The staff of the Fresno branch. #2) The staff of the San Diego branch. #3) Ship from the film Master and Commander courtesy of Hydraulics & Pneumatics #4 & 5) The dragon in Fantasmic! courtesy of Disney.