About Us
The history of our company is remarkable in retrospect…
Founded in 1963 as Exotic Rubber and Plastics Corporation, our history demonstrates years of pioneering & revolutionizing new technologies. In 1972, we became a distributor of Parker Hannifin products. This commitment generated a dramatic increase in our involvement within the expanding field of automation and motion control. In 2001, we changed our name to Exotic Automation & Supply in order to fully reflect the scope of our product and service offerings. Today, Exotic’s QMS is ISO certified: we serve virtually every industrial sector where automation, motion control, material handling, gasket and sealing solutions are required.
The History of Exotic
2022
Welcoming Bond Fluidaire to the Exotic Family
Exotic Automation & Supply acquires Michigan-based fluid power-provider Bond Fluidaire. The acquisition combines two successful, customer-driven Parker Hannifin distributors bringing nearly 120 years of combined experience to better serve customers across the state of Michigan. Bond Fluidaire was founded in 1968 and has 4 locations throughout West Michigan. The company is a full-line Parker distributor for fluid power, pneumatic and hydraulic components and as well as a leading distributor for 80/20 T-Slot aluminum framing.
2021
Coolest Thing Made in Michigan
Exotic Automation & Supply’s World’s Largest Hydraulic Power Unit won the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association’s 2021 ‘Coolest Thing Made in Michigan’ award. The Hydraulic Power Unit was determined the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Michigan’ after two rounds of voting open to Michigan residents. The World’s Largest Hydraulic Power Unit is capable of 4,800 horsepower with a maximum flow of 2,700 gallons per minute and a capacity of 18,000 gallons of hydraulic oil. The system is the only one in the world of its size.
2020
COVID-19 Response
Our doors stayed open during the stay-at-home orders to support Michigan, Indiana & Ohio’s essential critical infrastructure & help in the fight against COVID-19.
We’re providing solutions to help large OEMs develop ventilators & respiratory systems for healthcare systems including tubing, gauges, fittings & adapters, seals, gaskets, compression molded silicone rubber, sneeze guards & more. Click Here to learn more.
New Headquarters
Exotic Automation & Supply now has 10 branches located in Southeast, MI & 2 in Indiana. Exotic relocated their corporate headquarters! The Farmington Hills office and ParkerStore have moved to larger facility in New Hudson, MI, to support the growing needs of their customers.
2019
Continuing to Grow
Exotic Automation & Supply continues to expand through Michigan and Indiana, opening two new stores in 2019. Exotic Automation & Supply is one of only a handful of Parker distributors in the nation authorized as a Technical Center of Excellence for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical products. Exotic is here to service you and is committed to being your supplier of choice.
2017
Expanding to Indiana
Exotic Automation & Supply acquires Sidener Engineering, an Indiana Parker Hannifin distributor. The acquisition joins two well-established, reputable leading fluid power suppliers to offer greater services to Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and surrounding areas. Sidener Engineering was founded in 1981 and has grown into a full-line, value added distributor for fluid power, pneumatic & engineered safety products. Sidener Engineering also specializes in unique safety products for the foundry industry.
2000
Becoming Exotic Automation & Supply
Chuck Marino’s son, Tom Marino, becomes Exotic’s president in 2000. A new company name, Exotic Automation & Supply was christened to bring together the various aspects of the company and reflected the diverse nature of what the business has become. Exotic Automation & Supply achieves the designation of a Premier Parker Distributor, offering Parker fluid connectors, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electromechanical products.
1980
Expanding Throughout Michigan
Exotic acquires MidStates in Lansing and LakeStates in Flint and establishes two additional branches. Exotic earns one of Ford Motor Company’s top awards, achieves Q-1 status and launches Exotic’s commodity management team to service Exotic’s fluid power contracts with a multitude of automotive plants.
1970
Opening The First Branch
Exotic established their first branch in Jackson, MI followed by a second in Freeland, MI. Ford Motor Company awards Exotic Rubber & Plastics their first blanket contract for hydraulic hose and fittings. This development eventually led to the official designation as a Parker Hannifin Distributor for fluid connector products.
1960
Beginning as Exotic Rubber & Plastics
Exotic Rubber & Plastics was founded by Chuck Marino in 1963. The name Exotic is selected to reflect the unique and high-end products Chuck wanted to produce. Chuck Marino becomes a Le-Hi Andrews distributor, a division of Parker Hannifin, for industrial hose fittings to complement their Uniroyal hose sales. This began the company’s relationship with Parker Hannifin.
1950
The Part That Started It All
Ford Motor Company experiences crucial problems with a bobbin in one of their high-volume alternators for the new Ford Falcon. Exotic’s future founder, Chuck Marino, sees a solution and develops a new design utilizing an “exotic” nylon blend. This invention resolves Ford’s production issue and the company approaches him with a contract for high-volume production quantities.
Mission Statement
Exotic Automation & Supply strives to be the leader in engineered solutions for motion control and custom molded rubber and plastics. We serve customers technical needs while diversifying the Company through innovative products and services while achieving consistent profitable growth.