Parker Hannifin Acquires Markwel Hose Industries

Markwel has annual sales of approximately $13 million. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in calendar year 2005.

"The addition of Markwel to Parker's world-wide connector platform provides our Asia customers another key ingredient to their total motion and control needs," said Joe Vicic, President, Asia Pacific for Parker. "Markwel's considerable expertise and quality product offering complements our Asia Pacific connector manufacturing capability which will now include major manufacturing and customer support operations in South Korea, China and India. This acquisition indicates Parker's continued dedication to providing premier customer service by locating near our customers as we have in Navi Mumbai."

"Having grown from a family business to the recognized engineering and quality leader for hose products in India, we are pleased to join Parker," said Jimmy Marker, owner of Markwel. "Parker's quality reputation is global in scope and its complete fluid power systems range offers a strong value proposition for our existing hose product customers in this period of explosive economic growth in India."

Markwel's manufacturing operation in Hyderabad and headquarters in Mumbai employ 350 people in the production of hydraulic hose products that are integral components of the hydraulic systems of heavy duty mobile and industrial machinery. Parker manufactures all major components of hydraulic systems that power and control equipment across a broad range of applications worldwide.