State of the Industry

Pneumatic systems are adapting to meet increasing demands for energy efficiency, smart diagnostics, and other features desired in industrial machinery applications.

Use of electric actuation technologies is increasing, but opportunity areas remain for hydraulics and pneumatics in industrial applications.

Customers in industrial applications are looking for intelligent and efficient fluid power systems to meet sustainability, automation and other trends driving the market.

Max Cundiff of Chevron examines the four trends he foresees driving hydraulic fluid formulations in the years to come.

Experts from Regal Rexnord and Danfoss Power Solutions offer their insight on how electrification is prompting new technology developments and market opportunities.

The newest data from the National Fluid Power Association shows shipments of fluid power products declined in July 2025.

Projected growth in data centers, defense, semiconductors and other industrial sectors will bring market opportunities for the fluid power industry in 2026 and beyond.

Bosch Rexroth, ContiTech, and other fluid power companies are expanding their footprints in North America to better serve regional customers through enhanced supply chains and...

Adoption of hydrostatic transmissions is increasing in various mobile equipment applications due to the many performance benefits they can provide.

Tony Welter of Danfoss Power Solutions discusses the benefits of hydrostatic transmissions and how their uptake is increasing in the mobile equipment industry.

Market forecasts shared during the NFPA IEOC 2025 indicate a recovery may be in store for the fluid power industry and some of its customer markets.

Rising demand for on-site hydraulic and industrial hose services helped PIRTEK USA achieve strong growth during the second quarter of 2025.

NFPA shipment and order data for June 2025 shows signs of positive momentum for the hydraulics and pneumatics industry.

An aging global population is driving the need for more automation solutions that can be used in laboratory testing and other applications in the life sciences industry.

A recovery is forecast for the global off-highway equipment market in 2026 while infrastructure investments and other megatrends will drive long-term growth.

NFPA data shows total fluid power shipments dropped just 0.7% in May 2025, and a recovery may be in store for pneumatics.

A new NFPA report identifies the top capability improvements that will be required for hydraulics and pneumatics to remain a technology of choice for industrial applications.

The transportation hydraulic hose market serves a number of applications, from aerospace to marine, and is projected to grow in the coming years.

Efforts to improve operational costs and sustainability are placing a greater focus on development of efficient components and systems.

Data from the National Fluid Power Association shows total fluid power shipments dropped again in April 2025.

A3 reports a 0.4% increase in North American robot orders during the first quarter of 2025, but a 15% rise in order value, indicating sustained demand for robots and automation...

The ability to use cobots alongside human workers and other benefits are increasing their adoption in a wide range of industries, helping drive future market growth.

Experts from Danfoss, Festo, and Husco discuss the technological evolution taking place for hydraulics and pneumatics to meet the needs of various automaton applications.

Increasing uptake of automation in mobile and industrial machinery applications is bringing new technological developments and opportunities to the fluid power industry.

Nick Buccheri of Emerson discusses the evolving industrial electrification landscape and the importance of choosing the best motion solution for each application, whether electric...

Repurposing lithium-ion batteries provides opportunities to reduce costs and waste, but there are still hurdles this market needs to overcome.

Total shipments for fluid power products rose 12.6% in March from the previous month but remained down compared to the same period last year.

The NFPA has identified key performance and technological objectives for industrial machinery builders to help inform fluid power development needs.

Uncertainty about tariffs is reducing capital investments, leading to lowered market expectations for industrial and mobile machinery which are key customer sectors for the fluid...

The National Fluid Power Association reports fluid power shipments dropped again in February 2025.

New tariffs are in place for many major U.S. trading partners. Take our quick survey to let us know how the fluid power industry is adapting.

Five of the major trends impacting the construction and mining industries will be spotlighted in conference sessions and exhibits at bauma 2025.

Data from the NFPA shows shipments and orders for fluid power products decreased again in January 2025.

A new report from Coherent Market Insights shows the aerospace, energy and automation sectors will help drive future growth for the electrohydraulic servo valve market.

The speed at which the Trump administration is implementing tariffs, and changing the terms of them, is making business planning difficult for fluid power companies.

NFPA data for December 2024 shows a continued decline for fluid power shipments and orders.

The digitalization of fluid power components is enabling improved control, communication and other performance benefits to create more productive and efficient machines.

Endeavor Business Media editors weigh in on the potential supply chain and operational difficulties impacting their respective industries due to tariffs put in place by the Trump...

The global hydraulic hoses and fittings market is projected to grow 4.36% through 2028, driven in part by improved market conditions in the oil & gas and construction equipment...

The latest NFPA data shows fluid power shipments dropped in November compared to the previous month.

A new report from IDTechEx shows a 6% CAGR for the global sensors market through 2035, driven by ongoing technological developments and increased application uses.

The incoming Trump administration is focused on implementing tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. which could impact the recovery projected for fluid power and its customer...

Current macroeconomic trends are signaling an improved global economy in 2025, but careful planning and monitoring of these trends will be necessary to capitalize on growth opportunitie...

Macroeconomic signals are pointing to recovery in several markets which will present growth opportunities for the fluid power sector.

Data from the National Fluid Power Association shows total fluid power shipments rose in October compared to the previous month but remained down from 2023 levels.

Results from Power & Motion’s 2024 Salary & Career Survey demonstrate satisfaction with fluid power engineering roles but continued difficulty in filling them.

A new NFPA report examines how increasing digitization and other industry trends are expanding the communication protocols used in mobile equipment with which fluid power systems...

The PMMI 2024 State of the Industry report shows investments in automation and other advanced technologies will lead to sustained growth for the packaging machinery market.

Tim LaCrosse of Parker Hannifin says the easing of supply chain pressures, new OEM design cycles and continued hydraulic system advancements will provide future market opportunities...

Recent data from NFPA shows total fluid power shipments decreased 9.4% in September 2024 and remain on a downward trend.

SMC Corp. is optimistic about the market rebound anticipated in 2025 and continued technological development opportunities for pneumatics.

Ken Baker of Bailey Group says 2024 was a tough year for the hydraulics industry but opportunities remain in expanding technical capabilities and an eventual recovery.

Interact Analysis is forecasting 0.5% growth for the global packaging machinery market which will help prop up the broader machinery sector in 2024.

Interact Analysis is forecasting the global mobile hydraulics market will see growth trends return after a down year in 2024.

Sustainability is becoming a larger driver for the design and use of fluid power technologies.

Danfoss Power Solutions President Eric Alström is optimistic about the future of hydraulics because of the development potential which still lies ahead.

NFPA reports total fluid power shipments declined 14.9% in August 2024 compared to the previous year.

Although the hydraulics industry is in a down cycle, Danfoss Power Solutions President Eric Alström says electrification, industrial applications and fluid conveyance are opportunity...

Improvements in battery energy density and charging infrastructure will aid continued growth for the electric vehicle market.

Eric Azeroual of Danfoss Editron discusses the current state of electric vehicle development and the factors driving further electrification in the coming years.

Increasing demand for hydraulic valves from various industries will lead to 3.8% growth for this market through 2034.

Future growth for the global machine vision market will be driven in part by the technology collaborations and company acquisitions occurring to aid advancement of industrial ...

U.S. companies are nearshoring to Mexico to enhance supply chain resilience and operational efficiency.

Data from the NFPA shows shipments and orders for fluid power products were down in June from previous months.

Future growth in manufacturing and other industries which rely on compressed air systems will help drive increased demand for the air oil separators used in these systems.

Efficiency, automation and other major industry trends present continued development opportunities for hydraulic systems used in mobile applications.

Experts from the fluid power industry offer their insights on the trends and technologies influencing hydraulic system designs for mobile machinery applications.

The June 2024 PMA Business Conditions Report indicates metalforming manufacturers are becoming less optimistic about future economic activity.

While inflation and interest rates continue to plague much of the economy, its eventual easing should lead to recovery for the fluid power industry and several of its customer...

Data from the National Fluid Power Association shows hydraulic and pneumatic shipments are on a downward trend.

The rise in demand for various materials, coupled with the benefits of reducing emissions and increasing productivity, is fueling the adoption of electric and autonomous machines...

Business activity for metalformers remained steady in May but expectations for the coming months are lower as economic uncertainty lingers.

Continued growth is expected for the mobile robot market in the coming years as manufacturing increases its implementation of automation solutions.

Economic uncertainty and shrinking backlogs will contribute to slower growth trends for the manufacturing sector before returning to an up cycle in 2025.

New technological developments and use cases will lead to the continued adoption of robotics and other automation solutions for the foreseeable future.

The air compressor market is projected to be worth $68.86 billion by 2030 due to investments in manufacturing which will help drive future growth.

The April 2024 PMA Business Conditions Report shows metalforming manufacturers anticipate economic activity to remain stable in the coming months.

The many benefits offered by pneumatics as well as their ongoing technological advancement will ensure their continued use in a range of applications.

Stable business conditions are anticipated for metalforming manufacturers in the coming months according to the March PMA Business Conditions Report.

Development of electric trucks is growing, creating increased revenue opportunities for the powertrain components used in these vehicles.

IDTechEx has outlined four major trends which will drive continued growth of the 3D printing market.

Systems which employ pneumatics offer several advantages, especially as the technology continues to evolve.

The February 2024 PMA Business Conditions Report shows metalforming manufacturers are increasingly optimistic about business activity in the coming months.

The global linear actuator market is forecast to experience a high level of growth in the coming years due in large part to use of these actuators in various automation solutions...

As vehicles become increasingly connected and software driven, there are opportunities to create more streamlined system architectures.

Learn about the latest sensor technologies and their growing use within fluid power and electric motion control systems.

Use our new comparison tool to see how region, education level and years of engineering experience may impact your salary potential.

Benefits ranging from improved precision and control to enhanced machine monitoring are possible when integrating sensors into fluid power systems.

The global machine vision market is forecast to grow 6.4% through 2028, driven by increasing automation in various industries.

Metalforming companies are optimistic about business activity during the first 3 months of 2024.

Demand for geared motors and industrial gears is forecast to slow in 2024 before rising again over the next 4 years.

With a mild recession predicted for 2024, fluid power manufacturers should use this time to invest in their business and prepare for the rebound coming in the second half of the...

This e-book delves into the trends impacting those in the fluid power as well as broader design and engineering community.

Ken Baker, CEO of Bailey International, sees opportunities ahead for the hydraulics industry even as the global economy heads toward a slowdown.

The hydraulics and pneumatics sector remains optimistic about its future.

The benefits provided by electric actuators over hydraulic and pneumatic options is increasing their adoption in a range of applications.

Members of the fluid power industry provide their insight on the technological innovations which have occurred in hydraulics and pneumatics as well as those yet to come.

As more electric options come into play and an economic slowdown is expected, positive sentiments remain for the hydraulics and pneumatics industry.

The hydraulics industry continues to see greater integration of sensors, controls and other electronic elements to help monitor and improve performance.