Get the Right Hose for the Job

What challenges do customers face when selecting hydraulic hoses?

Ruge: I want to make sure customers are looking for a solution, not the same part number that is on the hose they are currently using. The worst thing you can do with a failed hose is replace it without asking questions. Customers want a solution to their problem, so we walk them through the STAMPED process to make sure they have the right hose for the application. A manufacturer must be a solution provider and offer value to their customers.

How do you help customers optimize their total cost of ownership?

Ruge: We help customers optimize their total cost of ownership by ensuring they have the right hose for the job using the STAMPED method. Temperature and Application are key—if abrasion is an issue, upgrading to our X-Life cover or Armorcoat™ can extend hose life. For extreme temperatures, our Arctic® LR2SN or Arctic® LR16SC handles lows down to -57°F, while our Desert® DR1SN withstands up to 302°F. Choosing the right solution prevents premature failures, reducing downtime and replacement costs, ultimately improving total cost of ownership.

What innovations are driving customer decisions in hydraulic systems?

Ruge: In one word, technology. CrimpCloud® allows live access to your workforce of crimpers. Traceabilty gives anyone with a smart phone the ability to know who and when a hose assembly was assembled. It drives repeat business back to the distributor and shortens down time. ThreadID allows users to identify a thread type by entering one dimension after identifying if it is male, female, or a flange fitting.

How do you help customers transition to Continental Hydraulics?

Ruge: We invest in our people. Eash distributor has access to a local Continental technical manager, a regional sales manager, a hydraulics specialist, an application engineering team. Behind the scenes we have large teams working on product development, product management, and supply chain management. We work tirelessly to make sure the transition to Continental hydraulics is smooth and efficient.

How do you ensure solutions meet both current and future needs?

Ruge: Our product team works diligently on new product development. We strive to have new products hit the market every year. We launched X-Life™ XCP4-16, the X-LIFE™ XCP5 family, and ExtremeFlex FR4 within the last year to large success.

Can you provide an example of a recent success story?

Ruge: Our announcement of a new hydraulics plant in Aquascalientes, Mexico has driven a lot of conversations around Continental hydraulics this year. We are seeing many distributors starting a partnership with Continental to grow in hydraulics. It’s our people, partnerships, and solutions driving our success.

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