Poclain and Interfluid, a strong partnership
Interfluid Hidraulica is a leading distributor of hydraulic components in Spain. Based in Barcelona, it is also a Certified Poclain Repair Center in the country for all hydraulic components, including motors, pumps, and valves. Interfluid generates a turnover of 3.3 million euros, with nearly 40% coming from the maintenance of motors and pumps.
The company primarily serves manufacturers of agricultural machinery, airport vehicles, industrial shredders, and fishing boats.
Poclain and Interfluid: A strong team
The Interfluid teams are often called upon to advise their clients during the design of new solutions for their machinery. These are privileged moments during which it is not uncommon for them to be accompanied by Poclain experts in the field.
"We have a very good relationship with the Poclain office in Spain. We work together. We also make joint visits to our OEM customers... Poclain and its distributor form a team," says Lara Esteban, Managing Director of Interfluid Hidraulica.
Since its inception in 1997, the Spanish distributor, now known as Interfluid, has maintained very strong relationships with the group Poclain.
We have a very good relationship with the Poclain office in Spain. We work together. We also make joint visits to our OEM customers... Poclain and its distributor form a team.
From agriculture to fishing
Mobile machinery accounts for 70% of Interfluid's activity, compared to 30% dedicated to industrial applications. The largest market concerns agricultural and forestry machinery. In addition to Spain, the company generates 10% of its turnover in North Africa through fishing, providing all hydraulic system components for boats.
The distributor also supports around thirty Spanish OEMs in the design of new solutions, up to the assembly and commissioning of machines, mainly for manufacturers of agricultural machinery, rice harvesters, and beet harvesters, for example. "It's not mass production because these OEMs produce about ten machines per year," adds Lara Esteban.
Being faster than standard lead times
Interfluid is a team of 16 people, including 9 technicians dedicated to the workshop, the store, and the commissioning of machines. They travel throughout Spain, including weekends and nights if necessary. The speed of interventions and deliveries is the company's great strength and pride.
The recipe for this success is not only the result of being close to customers but also the outcome of a stock management policy to respond to their needs as quickly as possible. Indeed, between 2021 and 2022, Lara Esteban made the decision to double her stock to the tune of one million euros. It now covers an area of 1200 m2. This allows for 24/7 emergency repair responses. For the agricultural market, interventions are spread throughout the year. As for the recycling industry, maintenance and repair activities are subject to strong seasonality and concentrate in July and August.
An aerospace engineer leading Interfluid
It's not common to encounter women in the field of hydraulics, including internationally. Lara Esteban is one of those exceptional leaders who commands respect in this highly specialized field of hydraulic engineering. She didn't arrive there entirely by chance. Even though she was trained "in-house," she had solid skills to understand the profession.
Lara Esteban is an aerospace engineer. She graduated from the prestigious UPC, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. Before joining Hydrel*, she completed her training with a course in aeromechanics in England (University of Wales). She also devoted the end of her studies to naval engineering. At the time, the family business specialized in hydraulic equipment for fishing boats.
For over 10 years under her leadership, Interfluid has significantly diversified and grown by increasing its storage capacity, strengthening its availability to customers, reducing intervention and delivery times, and doubling its staff.
Amphibious seaweed harvesters
In a company, there are projects that can leave a lasting impression more than others. This is the case at Interfluid with a seaweed harvester project born in Spain. The customer was supported by Interfluid's engineers and technicians to design an amphibious vehicle that moves both on water and on the beach to harvest seaweed.
"Customers consult us a lot. Our engineering activity is important to establish this relationship of trust with them," explains Lara Esteban.
Interfluid's teams traveled to Tangier, Morocco, to assemble the hydraulic system of the prototype. Then, the technicians and engineers commissioned the seaweed harvester at one of Mexico's famous tourist spots affected by sargassum algae invasions. They are now developing a new version to be launched in 2025.
*The family business Hydrel became Interfluid in 2012. It then grew from 6 to 16 people and joined the German group Triadon, managed by Mr. Franz Hajek.
