Experts in stainless hydraulics SSH Stainless

EXPERTS IN STAINLESS

HYDRAULICS

SSH Stainless a.s. is a highly specialised manufacturer of stainless steel hydraulic cylinders, valves and hand-operated pumps. Abigail Saltmarsh reports on the operation.

SSH Stainless a.s. may be a niche manufacturer of highly specialist products but, says the general manager Torben Madsen, the company is well-positioned for further growth. The company is known for its range of high-quality stainless steel components and is now looking to broaden its customer base and to reach into new markets.

“We are in a very stable position and have seen steady growth of around 10 to 15 per cent year on year,” says Mr Madsen. “Our products are niche, so in some ways there are limits to our growth possibilities.

“Our aim, therefore, is to find new customers and markets for the products we are already known for.”

Across the world

The company, established by Mr Madsen Sr and now run by Torben Madsen and brother Jens Madsen, began operating in 1989. From its base in Denmark, the relatively small operation now serves customers across the world. It attributes its international success to its continuous focus on product and manufacturing optimisation, as well as its commitment to quality and craftmanship.

“Our direct customers are mainly based in European countries (approximately 90 per cent) but we do have a growing number in the North American market as well now. Mexico is up and coming as a potential market too,” he says.

“France and Spain are countries that we are particularly targeting at the moment as we are expanding our distribution network there.”

He adds: “Although we manufacture in Denmark and send out to some of these countries, our components actually end up further afield – in Asia and Africa, for example. They go to our customers who use them in the products they then go on to ship abroad.”

New designs and products

SSH Stainless’s main products are stainless steel cylinders, for water and oil hydraulic use, as well as valves and hand or foot operated pumps.

“Even though we have a standard series of different types of hydraulic cylinders, we do come up with special designs to fit in with our customers’ requirements. The majority of our development efforts go into meeting these particular needs,” says Mr Madsen.

The most recent completely new product is a combined foot-operated pump and hydraulic cylinder. This is typically used for height adjustment of personal platforms within the food processing industry.

“The FPC-250 foot pump cylinder unit has become quite popular as you have one unit replacing a system with various hydraulic components,” he adds. “This is our own

design, and when our customers saw it they approached us about adapting it for their own needs.”

Green solutions

The company’s products are sold to customers manufacturing equipment for a wide range of industries.

“Much of our equipment goes to those producing food processing machinery (some 50 to 60 per cent), including the likes of abattoir and food storage equipment for lifting or moving heavy meat, or fish factories that are offshore,” he says. “Then we also have the marine uses – again sometimes for the offshore industry, often for various sorts of remotely operated vehicles – and then there are the green industries, where hydraulics are used in outdoor situations and they cannot risk an oil spillage. All our products can be operated with water instead of oil.”

Continued growth

While there are long-term plans for investment in and expansion of the company’s facilities, the Danish plant has adequate capacity for meeting existing demand. Investment in tooling, however, is ongoing.

Mr Madsen adds: “We are keen to continue maintaining this steady growth. We are known in the food processing industry for products that are low maintenance and have high ‘cleanability’ and we are also renowned for our flexibility and our ability to respond to our customers’ needs.

“We always keep an open mind to any new ideas and solutions – and our aim is to continue to do so.” n