At the start of the year, I ran a poll asking readers to offer their thoughts on market expectations for 2026. Overall, those who responded expressed optimism for the year ahead with many expecting market conditions for the fluid power industry to be more positive this year.

Our top piece in today’s newsletter reviews the responses from that poll and also asks — now that we are 3 months into 2026, are positive market expectations still expected? Are the markets respondents indicated as opportunity areas still relevant, or are there new ones that have emerged?

At the end of the article is a new poll asking how the hydraulics and pneumatics industry is faring so far and what expectations are now that we are 3 months in. Are there specific challenges impacting the industry? What customer markets are presenting opportunities? Take the poll to offer your thoughts or you can email me directly at [email protected].

I am hoping this will be the start of a quarterly check-in on the fluid power industry. By doing so, not only do I hope to gain a better understanding of what is going on in the industry directly from those working in it, but also share those insights with our audience to help them with their own business and development initiatives.

Do you find this kind of information beneficial? Have specific questions or information you want included in these quarterly check-ins, or other market trends related content? Let me know so I can be sure I’m providing you, our readers, with the information you find most beneficial.

Sara Jensen, Editor, Power & Motion