Tucson Hydrocontrols was started by Mr Pralhad V Dabholkar in 1988. He had a vision to take hydraulic industry forward to the 21st century by introducing a new type of cartridge valve that will be required by the earthmoving and construction industry. While working in an American multinational hydraulic company, Mr Dabholkar always thought of doing hydraulics differently. While most engineers after working in hydraulics branched out to produce low-tech hydraulic accessories, he had a different vision. He wanted to do something that was never done in the Indian hydraulics scene. Of course, the ground reality of the change resistant hydraulic industry had to be kept in mind.

Tucson, in order to secure a solid customer base, decided to start manufacturing low technology products such as Non Return Valves, Throttle Check valves, Flow Control Valves, etc. However, one eye was firmly kept to the thought of bringing new technology products into the country. With this in mind, Tucson tied a distributor cum technology transfer relationship with a UK based cartridge manufacturing company. Very soon Tucson introduced, for the first time in the country, Overcentre Valves and cartridge type Relief and Pressure Reducing Valves. The industry, which was used to seeing bulky, heavy and old technology products, was not conducive to new technology. Most people refused to believe that the valves would work in India and some even doubted if such small cartridges could handle large flows. Self belief and a positive attitude ultimately prevailed.

It took the industry a while to accept the products. Precisely eight years! By the beginning of 1997, business was booming and Tucson thought of investing money in high productivity machines. Machining centres were bought in the beginning of 2000.

Tucson soon became the ultimate name in Overcentre Valves and the promoters found that they needed to expand more in this direction. In the year 2005, the company decided on an expansion on the large scale. It procured more CNC machining, turning and grinding machines and high speed band saws. Expansion was completed in record time. Now the company proudly lays claim to the most modern factory and product line in this field.

A variety of load holding Valves such as Check, Pilot Check and Overcentre Valves, Relief, Sequence, Unloading and Pressure Reducing Valves, Throttle and Flow Control Valves in cartridge type, Shut Off Valves, Ball valves, Accumulator Safety blocks as well as Modular, stackable valves currently form the Tucson product line.

Accessories such as Spradow Minimess Hoses and Couplings, Gear Couplings and Multistation Manifold blocks are also a part of the product range.

The next generation at Tucson is actively involved in customer design processes and designs custom made valves, manifolds and even the entire hydraulic systems to fit as per customer requirements, which are manufactured in-house. A strong foothold in the hydraulic fraternity as well as years of valuable experience in a design intensive field are some of the things that set Tucson apart over competitors. Till day, the company continues to expand and enrich the hydraulic fraternity in India with its products just as Mr Dabholkar envisioned it the day he decided to start his own firm and legacy almost 25 years ago.

(Tucson Hydrocontrols, Umbergaon, Gujarat. Tel: 0260-2564334, 2563187. Email: tucson@vsnl.com)