New Hose Doctor concept from Parker provides customers with emergency mobile hydraulic hose service; changes way fluid connector products are distributed and serviced.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 1995--Today Parker Hannifin Corporation introduced a completely new concept in the distribution and service of industrial fluid connector products: the ParkerStore Hose Doctor Service.

The Hose Doctor Service is a mobile hose and fittings service center, offering industrial customers 24 hour-a-day emergency service for hydraulic and pneumatic hose and connectors at any location or job site.

"This latest innovation from Parker helps us continue in our leadership role in all aspects of the fluid connectors market," said Don Zito, President of Parker Fluid Connectors Group. "Nobody else in the industry offers a comparable service."

Each ParkerStore Hose Doctor Service truck features an inventory of hydraulic and pneumatic connectors in all sizes, including metrics. Other products include rubber, thermoplastic or hybrid hose, brass valves, quick-disconnect couplings and assembly tools. The trucks are staffed by professional, knowledgeable, Parker-trained technicians.

The Hose Doctor Service is a logical extension of the fast-growing ParkerStores introduced two years ago, which let customers select and purchase hose and fittings in a completely new way. Customers can walk in, look at, touch, compare and ask questions about a wide range of parts displayed on shelves and in bins in well-lighted, attractive facilities, similar to hardware stores. To date, 56 ParkerStores have opened across North America.

Each Hose Doctor Service truck is stocked by its "home-base" ParkerStore, which is electronically linked to a nationwide parts network to ensure adequate inventories and fast response to special orders.

"Like the ParkerStore, the Hose Doctor Service is set up to meet customers' needs for convenience and fast, competent repairs. Placing the repair ability on a mobile unit allows us to go to our customers with a solution to their problem on board a well-stocked and tooled truck," continued Zito. "This is absolutely the fastest way to get a customer up and running again, whether on a construction site or in a factory."

"Customers who call on our ParkerStore Hose Doctor Service will be impressed at how quickly we can solve their hose problem," said Pete Newell, president of Mega Fluidline Products, Inc., which operates the Cleveland-based ParkerStore Hose Doctor out of the Wickliffe, Ohio, ParkerStore. "The minute a call comes in," Newell continued, "the Hose Doctor Service is dispatched. The Hose Doctor Service truck comes equipped and stocked with a wide assortment of products to make repairs on the spot."

Other Hose Doctors are being introduced by ParkerStores operated by Midwest Fluid Power in Toledo, Ohio, and Mid-State Fluid Power in Flint, Mich.

Parker pioneered the Hose Doctor Service concept at its Enzed subsidiary in Australia more than ten years ago. There are more than 240 Hose Doctor Service trucks operating in Australia and New Zealand today.

The Parker Fluid Connectors Group is the largest business unit of Parker Hannifin Corporation, a $3.2 billion worldwide producer of motion-control components and systems for a wide range of industrial and aerospace markets.

CONTACT: Parker Fluid Connectors Group

Reed Stith, 216/531-3000 ext. 2335

FAX: [phone]