Danfoss’s Acquisition of Vickers: Impact on Motion Control

Danfoss: A Legacy in Motion Control and Hydraulics

Danfoss was founded in 1933 in Denmark by engineer Mads Clausen and has since grown into a global leader in motion control and fluid power technology. Over the decades, Danfoss’s innovations have spanned from early refrigeration controls to one of the world’s first mass-produced frequency converter drives for electric motors. The company established a strong foothold in hydraulic motion control as well – mobile hydraulics has been one of Danfoss’s core businesses for over 50 years. Through its Danfoss Power Solutions division, the firm became a major supplier of hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, and electronic controls used in machinery and equipment worldwide.

Vickers: Pioneer in Industrial Hydraulics

Vickers, by contrast, traces its roots back to 1921 when Harry Franklin Vickers – often called the “father of industrial hydraulics” – founded the Vickers Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles. The company earned renown for pioneering fluid power technologies, including the pressure-balanced vane pump patented in 1925, a design whose core principles still endure in modern hydraulics. Through mid-century mergers, Vickers became part of Sperry Rand Corporation, and it continued to expand its range of hydraulic pumps, valves, and motion control components. In 1999, Eaton Corporation acquired Vickers, making it one of Eaton’s flagship brands in the hydraulics arena. Under Eaton, Vickers remained a respected name known for its comprehensive range of power and motion control components and reliable hydraulic products used in industrial and mobile applications.

Danfoss Acquires Vickers: The 2021 Deal

In January 2020, Danfoss announced an agreement to buy Eaton’s Hydraulics business – which included the Vickers product line – for approximately $3.3 billion. The acquisition underwent scrutiny from regulators in multiple jurisdictions; by mid-2021, it won approval after Danfoss agreed to divest certain overlapping product units to address antitrust concerns. The deal officially closed on August 2, 2021, bringing Vickers and the rest of Eaton’s hydraulic portfolio under the Danfoss umbrella.

This move instantly expanded the Danfoss Group by about one-third in size and established Danfoss as a global leader in both mobile and industrial hydraulics. Eaton’s hydraulics division was merged into the Danfoss Power Solutions segment, effectively doubling Danfoss’s hydraulic operations. About 10,000 Eaton employees joined Danfoss, and roughly $1.8 billion in annual revenue was added – a significant boost that doubled Danfoss Power Solutions’ size and innovation capacity. In practical terms, Danfoss gained an expanded product lineup (now including Eaton/Vickers pumps, motors, valves, and fluid conveyance products like hoses) and a broader manufacturing and distribution footprint worldwide.

Now a company looking for power amplifier eurocards (such as the EEA-PAM-571-A-14) and VLT Drives like the FC-202P5K5T4E55H1TGXXOXSXXXXALBXCXXXXDX can order them from a centralized place. However, when consolidation like this happens consumers often see prices increase and a decline in service. This is where Wake Industrial comes in. Wake Industrial prioritizes quick and quality support with a focus on both Danfoss and Vickers legacy equipment. We offer competitive pricing, and comprehensive aftermarket support for a variety of Vickers Power Amplifiers and Danfoss Drives and accessories. Call 1-919-443-0207 to speak with a representative immediately - there are no menus, no waiting, and no machines waiting to waste your time. If you’d rather send an email, the address is sales@wakeindustrial.com. You’ll receive a quote back within 15 minutes during business hours.

Impact on the Motion Control Industry

The Danfoss-Vickers merger has had far-reaching effects on the motion control and hydraulics industry. Key impacts include:

• Expanded Portfolio: The combined company now offers one of the broadest selections of mobile and industrial hydraulics products on the market, from advanced hydrostatic transmissions to field-proven Vickers pumps and valves, even including fluid conveyance systems (hoses and fittings) that came from Eaton. This portfolio integration allows Danfoss to serve as a one-stop supplier for many OEMs, covering components for diverse applications under a single brand.
   
• Innovation Acceleration: By merging engineering teams and product lines, Danfoss effectively doubled its innovation capacity in hydraulics. The company has emphasized that the acquisition boosts its R&D capabilities, positioning Danfoss to lead in hydraulic innovation, digitalization, and the trend toward electro-hydraulic solutions. Customers could see faster development of new motion control technologies as the combined expertise of Danfoss and Vickers drives product improvements.
   
• Market Consolidation: This transaction combined two of the industry’s largest hydraulics players into one, significantly consolidating market share. Fewer major independent competitors exist now in the fluid power sector, which raised initial competition concerns. Regulators’ requirements for Danfoss to divest certain product lines helped ensure the market remains fair, but overall the merger underscores a trend of consolidation in the motion control industry.
   
• Customer Benefits: For machinery builders and end-users, the merger brings potential advantages in convenience. A single supplier now can provide a more comprehensive suite of components and integrated systems, simplifying supply chains. In short, buyers of hydraulic and motion control equipment stand to benefit from a wider selection of products and the technical know-how of both legacy companies under one roof.

Conclusion and Customer Options

The 2021 Danfoss-Vickers acquisition marked the start of a new era in the motion control and hydraulics sector. By uniting Danfoss’s and Vickers’s long legacies of innovation, the deal created a powerhouse capable of driving future advancements in efficiency, digital control, and electrified hydraulics. Industry observers note that while challenges of integration and competition existed, the outcome has largely strengthened the combined company’s ability to serve a broader market with high-quality solutions.

For customers, this consolidation offers the reassurance of continued innovation and support for both modern Danfoss equipment and classic Vickers designs. Those looking to purchase Danfoss or Vickers components can take advantage of Danfoss’s expanded distribution channels. But for legacy parts that become harder to source, Wake Industrial is the answer.

Wake Industrial offers a wide range of Danfoss and legacy Vickers motion control products, making it easier to source everything from amplifier cards like the  EEA-PAM-523-A-32 to VLT drives such as the  VLT5016PT5C20STR3DLF00A00C0 in one place (Wake Industrial is not an authorized Danfoss/Vickers distributor). To get help sourcing, repairing, or replacing legacy Danfoss or Vickers equipment contact Wake Industrial by calling 1-919-443-0207 or filling out the quote form on this page.