News & Insights
Celebrating 25 Years of Custom Fluidpower
2025 marks 25 years since Custom Fluidpower was officially established. This is a milestone in a story that began more than four decades ago
The business first took shape in the 1980s as Custom Hydraulics, serving mining, industrial, and agricultural clients. In the 1990s, Custom Hydraulics was acquired by the UK-owned Simon Hydraulics & Pneumatics Group, driving service innovation and expanding operations across Brisbane, Newcastle, and Perth.
When the Simon Group exited the Australian market in 1999, the local management team saw an opportunity to take control of the company’s future. On 1 January 2000, Custom Fluidpower was officially launched under the leadership of founding executives Joss De Iuliis, Brian Radalj, Terry Sarginson, and Alann Probert.
Their shared goal was clear – to build a customer-focused, engineering-led business that delivered end-to-end fluid power and automation solutions for Australian industry.
Rapid growth
Over the next decade and a half, the business grew rapidly through acquisitions and regional expansion. CCI Fluidtech and Advanced Air & Hydraulics in Mackay and Dynamic Hydraulics in Gladstone were added, and branches were established in Emerald, Darwin, and Melbourne.
During this time, Custom Fluidpower became Australia’s largest independent hydraulic provider and major distribution partners for Parker Hannifin, Sun Hydraulics, and Hydac Australia.
Major milestones
A major milestone came in the mid-2000s with the launch of the CSB Safe Brake Series, designed and manufactured by CFP for industrial braking applications. This Australian-engineered innovation remains a cornerstone product today, reflecting the foresight and technical excellence of the company’s founding team.
Expanding our reach – joining Helios Technologies
In August 2018, Custom Fluidpower entered a new era as part of Sun Hydraulics / Helios Technologies (NYSE). This acquisition opened a new phase of global opportunity, driving collaboration and efficiency across the group.
Under Helios ownership, CFP:
Established a greenfield operation in Vietnam, expanding its manufacturing footprint into South-East Asia.
Integrated Hydraulic Cartridges Australia under CFP management.
Invested in a Best-in-Class Hydraulic Manifold production facility – strengthening regional capability and supporting local industries with precision-engineered systems.
These initiatives reinforced CFP’s reputation as a trusted partner for mission-critical hydraulic solutions, combining global reach with Australian engineering expertise.
Explore our manifold capabilities
Celebrating our people and partners
Our 25-year anniversary has been marked across all Custom Fluidpower branches. Each has celebrated in their own way with customers, suppliers, and employees.
At our Brisbane branch, the milestone brought everyone together for an open day and family celebration. Clients toured the Banyo manufacturing facility, where suppliers including Danfoss, Hydac, and Parker showcased their products. Guests also witnessed the unveiling of “Goliath”, a custom-built CNC manifolding system, representing our ongoing investment in manufacturing excellence.
The day ended with a family gathering. Complete with games, face-painting, and dinner, it reflected the people-first culture that continues to define Custom Fluidpower.
As Brisbane Branch Manager Stephan Pieplu shared, “The new machinery is revolutionising our manufacturing capabilities and our future growth potential . It’s exciting for all involved with CFP.”
A new chapter with Questas Group
In August 2025, Custom Fluidpower entered another exciting chapter, by joining the Questas Group. Through this bold move, they will play an integral role in one of Australia’s largest integrated hydraulics and flow control businesses.
The acquisition strengthens Questas’ position as the most comprehensive hydraulics group in Australia, adding new engineering capabilities, advanced manufacturing assets, and eight additional branches in key industrial corridors.
Within the Questas Group “House of Brands”, Custom Fluidpower continues to operate as a standalone entity. This means maintaining its people, leadership, and focus on quality while gaining new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
As Country Managing Director Brad Evans explains, “This acquisition isn’t about change – it’s about opportunity. Our leadership, teams, and commitment to ‘What We Do’ remain the same, while we gain the ability to collaborate, grow, and build new capability together.”
Looking ahead
From Custom Hydraulics to 25 years as Custom Fluidpower, our story has been one of innovation, resilience, and relationships.
Now part of the Questas Group family, we are proud to play a key role in Vision 2029: to be Australia’s most trusted partner for mission-critical fluid power and flow control equipment.
The next chapter of Custom Fluidpower continues to be written. It will be powered by our people, our customers, and our commitment to engineering excellence.