When a key hydraulic valve failed on one of Echo Engineering & Production Supplies’ aging die-cutting machines, Project Manager Jason Semmler found himself in a costly machine-down situation.
“We were losing money every hour we could not use the machine,” Jason recalls. “But the machine was old, and I was concerned I would not be able to find the replacement part I needed.”
Echo Engineering, headquartered in Indianapolis, specialises in the design and delivery of precision masking, connecting, fastening, NVH, and sealing solutions for industrial applications. Renowned for their customer-first approach, Echo’s team leverages ingenuity to transform complex production challenges into fast, effective solutions.
In this case, the machine in question was used to produce custom die-cut masking components for paint shops and powder coating companies – a core offering under tight demand. With back-to-back orders piling up and new requests arriving daily, the urgency to restore full production capacity was paramount.
Echo’s agile response would prove pivotal not just in salvaging a machine, but in protecting critical timelines for their partners across finishing industries.
The Confidence to Make the Call
When a hydraulic valve failed on one of Echo Engineering & Production Supplies’ older machines, Project Manager Jason Semmler faced a tough reality: “The part that had failed was on an older machine. We had bought the machine used, so we did not have spare parts. It was a European machine and its age meant I was not confident about getting a suitable replacement.”
After an exhaustive online search for a compatible replacement valve, Jason began losing hope: “I’d done a lot of searching and I couldn’t find it anywhere,” Jason explains. “I’d passed over eight or ten companies because their website didn’t give me confidence they could help.”
Then came a fortunate click: Hydraulics Online.
“When I landed on Hydraulics Online, I could see they worked with a vast supply base. The website had a lot of good quality information and I felt very confident about making the call to them.”
Hydraulics Online knew what I needed just by looking at the photos. They seemed to know all the right questions to ask. I thought it would take two or three days for them to come back to me with a potential replacement, but they had called me back within an hour and emailed me a quote. I was very surprised and pleased it had turned around that quickly.
Rapidly Back in Production
When Hydraulics Online sent over the quote on Monday afternoon, Jason didn’t waste time – he immediately called to confirm payment and place the order.
“It was extremely easy, fast and efficient. The process and experience were so good, there’s no way I could be happier.”
Compared to other suppliers, the experience was like comparing night and day. The next-best option offered by another supplier was for a used part, meaning uncertain compatibility, and a 10–12 day lead time – with zero reassurance.
“Some companies didn’t even bother to reply to me,” Jason recalls. “The only other option gave me no reassurance the part would work. It was used. It was more expensive. And it came with a ten-day to twelve-day lead time.”
By contrast, Hydraulics Online delivered a brand-new part with a two-day delivery option.
“I put the order in on Monday and I received the part on Wednesday. I was extremely happy,” says Jason. “It worked perfectly. It was an identical part, so it just needed a straight swap. It was a fifteen-minute process. We started the machine back up and it worked perfectly. And it’s been in production, two shifts a day, five days a week ever since.”
Looking to the Future: Reliability Locked In
While Echo’s team kept production running using an alternate machine, it was clear the temporary fix couldn’t match the efficiency of the original unit. Getting the older machine back up – and running seamlessly – brought relief and renewed output to the production floor.
In light of the experience, Echo Engineering is planning proactively:
- Creating a back stock of hydraulic components
- Minimising future downtime on aging equipment
- Securing operational continuity with trusted suppliers
And trust? That’s where Hydraulics Online truly shined.
“I was absolutely impressed with Hydraulics Online,” Jason reflects. “They are professional and easy to work with. They did a great job and the shipping was phenomenal. It was a fantastic experience. Whenever I have a hydraulics requirement again in the future, they will be the first company I call.”
Whether you're dealing with a breakdown today – like Jason – or designing tomorrow’s systems, Hydraulics Online is your trusted hub for thousands of hydraulic solutions. How can we help you move forward?
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