RECENT POSTS
Archives
NEW HUDSON, Mich., Sept. 1, 2026 — Exotic Automation, a premier Parker Hannifin distributor, announced today that it has completed its rebrand from Exotic Automation & Supply to Exotic Automation.
For more than 60 years, customers have trusted Exotic Automation as their fluid power supplier of choice. As the company looks toward the future, it is excited to introduce a refreshed name and modernized logo that reflect its continued growth and commitment to serving its customers. While the company’s look and name have evolved, customers can expect the same trusted products, services and people they have come to rely on.
What to Expect
Customers will begin seeing the new Exotic Automation logo across company communications, including quotes, invoices, packing slips, social media and print materials.
All future correspondence will come from Exotic Automation. Contact information will remain the same. Visit www.exoticautomation.com for more information.
About Exotic Automation: Exotic Automation was founded in 1963 and has grown to become a leading provider of motion & control solutions. The company has retail store locations throughout Michigan & Indiana and offers a comprehensive selection of solutions including custom hoses and fittings, pneumatic and hydraulic components, filtration, lubrication equipment, engineered power units, compressed air equipment & more.
Bond Fluidaire & West Michigan Rubber have been a part of the Exotic Automation family since 2022 & 2025, respectively.
NEW HUDSON, Mich., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Exotic Automation, a premier Parker Hannifin distributor, announced today they have completed the rebrand of their subsidiaries, Bond Fluidaire & West Michigan Rubber, to Exotic Automation.
Bond Fluidaire was acquired by Exotic in 2022 and has since undergone several key expansions, including an expanded product portfolio, geographic presence and service levels. A new location was opened in Kalamazoo, offering customers custom hose assemblies made on the spot as well as in-stock pneumatic and hydraulic inventory. The company’s two Grand Rapids store locations were both remodeled, offering a wider selection of inventory and product demos. Bond Fluidaire also became a supplier of several new key suppliers, including SKF, DESTACO, Enerpac, Ace Controls and Perma.
West Michigan Rubber was acquired by Exotic in 2025 and underwent a major store remodeling which brought more in-stock products and fluid power capabilities to the Muskegon area. Since the acquisition, the company has significantly increased customer service levels and gained access to Exotic’s pneumatic, hydraulic, compressed air and engineered systems lines.
“The investments made to Bond and West Michigan Rubber have been significant and both companies are stronger than when we acquired them.” Steve Orlando, President said. “The growth experienced over the past few years is just the beginning and gaining the Exotic brand name will allow us to evolve more quickly and surpass expectations for customers.”
All future Bond Fluidaire & West Michigan Rubber correspondences will come from Exotic Automation. Contact information will remain the same. Please visit www.exoticautomation.com for more information.
About Exotic Automation & Supply: Exotic Automation & Supply was founded in 1963 and has grown to become a leading provider of motion & control solutions. The company has retail store locations throughout Michigan & Indiana and offers a comprehensive selection of solutions including custom hoses and fittings, pneumatic and hydraulic components, filtration, lubrication equipment, engineered power units, compressed air equipment & more.
Join us for the 2026 Motion & Control Summit & Expo! The summit will be held October 7th & 8th and will feature a 25+ booth expo hall at our New Hudson facility, 2-days of educational trainings, food trucks, prizes & more. The summit is free to attend. We hope to see you there! Register today!


Parker Parkrimp crimping machines allow you to create factory-quality hose on-site!
The system includes Parkalign for precise fitting alignment, a bottom-loading design for easy hose handling, color-coded dies for quick identification, and durable construction for long-lasting performance.
Need On-site Assistance? Contact Mary Fromm, Exotic’s Fluid Connector Product Manager specializing in on-site crimpers & VMIs!

Is your lubrication strategy up to industry standards? Find out in minutes with the free SKF Quick Lubrication Review (QLR) – a short, web-based self-assessment for technical and maintenance leaders. Benchmark your practices, get instant insights, and receive a personalized report straight to your inbox.
GORE® Joint Sealant, the first ePTFE form-in-place gasket material, forms a thin yet strong seal when compressed to seal steel flanges with large diameters, rectangular or irregular shapes, and rough or pitted surfaces. GORE Joint Sealant can withstand challenging process conditions and aggressive media, sealing applications where available bolt loads are low or in applications that demand a gas-tight sealant.
Since our founding in 1963, our goal has always been to provide you with quality product solutions, unparallel support and outstanding service levels. Over the past 60 years, we have grown to become one of largest fluid power distributors in the United States with nineteen store locations and an unmatched level of support by our customer service and account management team.
It is with great pride we announce today the next chapter in our journey. We are merging with Wisconsin fluid power distributor, Value Added Distributors.
Value Added Distributors (VAD) is a leading Parker Hannifin distributor of hoses, tubes, seals, couplings and related products to specialty vehicle OEMs and mobile fluid power users. VAD, headquartered in Shawano, WI, was founded in 1995 and operates out of 18 facilities across the Midwest and Southern US. They are known for providing highly value-added services such as custom fabrication, assembly, kitting, and vendor managed inventory solutions. Companies under the VAD umbrella include Bent Tubes, LLC and Transmotion, LLC.
What to Expect?
• Network of 24 ParkerStores across Michigan, Wisconsin & Indiana
• Enhanced product lines and resources
• Expanded value-added service capabilities
• Continued support from the representatives you’ve worked with over the years
• Accounting information, phone numbers and email addresses will stay the same
Key Management Updates:
- Mike Kostelnik, current CEO of VAD will continue as the CEO of the combined company.
- Steve Orlando, current President of Exotic, will continue as President of the combined company.
- Tom Marino, current CEO of Exotic will retire and join the Board of Directors for the combined company.
Exotic’s Engineering Department designed & manufactured these custom DC-powered 48V mobile HPUs to deliver reliable hydraulic power in data center environments where efficiency, compact design and dependable performance are critical. From concept to completion, our expert engineering team delivers solutions built to meet unique operational demands. Learn more here.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many different hydraulic hose standards in use across industries, regions, and applications? This Parker Blog compares manufacturer-driven and region-specific standards like SAE and how they compare to the global ISO 18752 standard.
Challenge: A new waterpark planned along the Des Moines River needed to build a Wave Shaper to create artificial waves that would be used for surfing, kayaking, canoeing or wakeboard.
Solution: Partnering with Parker, Exotic designed and manufactured several custom solutions including power units, cylinders, hoses and fittings that would get the 30 foot steel Wave Shaper moving. The project included more than 60 hours of engineering, design and installation. Read the Parker case study here.

Perma Case Study: Pump Applications
Challenges of Pump Lubrication: Pumps are often operated under extreme conditions, subjecting individual components to special wear. Many lubrication points can only be accessed using extreme protection measures (safety gloves and protective masks).

Enerpac Cylinder Selection Guide
What features and factors are important when selecting the right hydraulic cylinder? In this guide, Enerpac reviews cylinder basics, types of cylinders, cylinder components, cylinder features, application considerations & more. Check it

80/20 Product Selector Tool
80/20 offers a wide range of product options so you can get the exact profile or part you need to complete your project to your specific requirements. Their Product Selector

Parker Stainless Steel FastSeal Now Available!
Parker’s FastSeal is now available in Stainless Steel! FastSeal is new technology that allows you to make fast, easy ORFS connections without the need to flange or braze your hydraulic tubing. Save

Highlights of 2024
From all of us at Exotic, we wish you joy, peace and happiness during this Holiday season and throughout the new year! Please note, Exotic will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th, Wednesday, December

Motion & Control Insider Monthly – Answers
Monthly Brain Teaser Answers: August Answer: Top Right July Answer: 21 June Answer: May Answer: 40 squares April Answer: C March Answer: 30. Take the first number in a

Accessories for 80/20 Aluminum Framing
80/20 offers several accessory options to customize your aluminum framing including colored t-slot covers, lighting, storage bins, tool hangers, wire management & more! Learn more here.

SKF Progressive Lubrication Systems
SKF Progressive Lubrication Systems provide continuous lubrication as long as the pump is in operation. Once the pump stops, the pistons of the progressive metering device will stop in their

New Parker Gold Cup Sizing Tool & References
Parker Hydraulics has launched a new website with a sizing tool to help you identify the best fit pump and motor for your application. The site also features tutorial videos, success stories,

Parker Pneumatic Flow Control Valves
Parker’s line of Pneumatic Flow Controls offer precise adjustments, accuracy, and compactness to meet any application. Pneumatic flow controls are available in composite, brass, nickel plated brass, and stainless steel and

A Weldless, Threadless Way to Join Pipe & Tube
The PYPLOK® connecting system is a weld-less, thread-less way to join pipe. Using a portable, hand-held installation tool, couplings are cold worked and permanently compressed onto the piping, forming a permanent leak-tight

Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Exotic Automation & Supply! This season and always, we are thankful for you and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! In observance