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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.
Exotic is Featured in this Month’s Fluid Power Journal!
Exotic was featured in this month’s issue of the Fluid Power Journal. Read about what went into building the World’s Largest Hydraulic Power Unit here.
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Experiencing extended deliveries on hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders? If so, we can help. Our delivery for the standard cylinders listed below ranges from stock to 15 working days. Contact us
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Ann Arbor is March’s ParkerStore of the Month! All purchases you make at our Ann Arbor ParkerStore in the month of March will enter you to win a $100 Visa
Flexitallic’s Thermiculite Extreme Temperature Gaskets
A breakthrough in both heat and chemical resistance, Flexitallic’s Thermiculite® High Temperature Gasket Materials are rated for temperatures up to 1832°F and have passed the API 607 fire test.
Enerpac Tool Rental On-Demand
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Parker’s SmogHog brand is the most recognized and trusted name in the world for effective removal of mist and smoke from air. SmogHog ESP Systems are more than 95% efficient
Jackson is the ParkerStore of the Month!
Jackson is February’s ParkerStore of the Month! All purchases you make at our Jackson ParkerStore in the month of February will enter you to win a $100 Visa gift card.
Register Now for the Motion & Control Summit!
Registration is now open for the 2022 Motion & Control Summit, held March 23-24, 2022! The summit is free of charge and will be held virtually, so you can attend
OMLER Sand Decoring Hammers
Looking for vibration-isolation pads? ACE Controls offers three different types all with the purpose of providing the best customized isolation technology. All are available as standard pads or custom shapes
ACE Controls Vibration-Isolation Pads
Looking for vibration-isolation pads? ACE Controls offers three different types all with the purpose of providing the best customized isolation technology. All are available as standard pads or custom shapes
How to Select the Correct Coupling for Your Application
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