About Us
Our History of Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California
From Humble Beginnings
From humble beginnings to a multi-million-dollar Corporation, that’s the story of Rupe’s Hydraulics Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California. The origins of Rupe’s Hydraulics go back to the early 70s when Alfred Rupe and Jesse Rifenberry saw an article in Popular Mechanics magazine about how to start a hydraulic jack repair business and that got the ball rolling. They opened a small facility in a one-car garage and started repairing hydraulic jacks. That was the beginning of Rupe’s Hydraulics.
Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California Growth and Expansion — The Early Years
In 1976, Jack Rupe and his family moved to Southern California and soon after that, Jack bought out Alfred and Jesse for a whopping $350, that was 1977. Jack worked the business in that little garage until it could no longer hold all the business that was coming in. As JL (Jack’s son) tells the story, Uncle Bob helped part-time in the custom hydraulic cylinders California business from 1977 until 1987.
Incorporation and New Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California Facilities
The company was originally called Rupe’s Hydraulics and in September of 1982, it was incorporated as Rupe Corporation but still went under the name of Rupe’s Hydraulics. It was during that time that the business blossomed and required more space. That’s when they acquired a larger facility on Bent Avenue in San Marcos, California. The building was occupied by three other businesses, and as those companies moved out, Jack and Bob took over more and more of the vacated space until they occupied the entire building, from 1979 to 1980.
Continued Success and New Generations
They continued to grow the business and in 1987 Jack’s sons, Tom and JL, came into the business. They continued to work with their dad and as the business continued to grow and flourish, they realized the need for a larger facility. In 1997, they moved the business to the current location at 725 North Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos, California. Surely the new 35,000 square foot facility would be adequate. This would be the catalyst in propelling them to the top of the list as the largest hydraulic repair shop in Southern California.
Product Lines and Industry Impact
One of the things that contributed to their success was the addition of new product lines and distribution channels. Some of the more popular products were Custom Hoists telescopic cylinders, Parker Mobile Hydraulic products, Yuken valves and pumps, Donaldson filters, and a line of hydraulic hoses from Weatherhead. They also had the ability to not only repair hydraulic components but also to engineer hydraulic power units and design hydraulic equipment. Some of these were used in the entertainment industry for special effects in popular movies such as The Hunt for Red October, Pirates of the Caribbean, Speed 2, and the TV show Wipeout.
Acquisitions and Modernization
In 1991, as their business continued to grow, they negotiated the acquisition of a competitor, Kennedy Hydraulics Inc., in Glendale, California, and during that same time opened another satellite facility in National City, California. Eventually, those companies were consolidated and brought into the custom hydraulic cylinders California facility at 725 North Twin Oaks Valley Road.
Transition and New Leadership
As Jack began to approach retirement age, the business was well established and in the enviable position to attract buyers. Jack was continually approached by brokers who had clients interested in purchasing the company. At that time, they felt it prudent to test the waters. They hired a broker in early 2005 to see if there was any interest in anyone wanting to buy the business at their price. It didn’t take long before the business sold to a gentleman by the name of Rassoul Ketabian.
Rassoul purchased the assets and inventory of the company and retained the fictitious business name of Rupe’s Hydraulics Sales and Service but did not buy Rupe Corporation. Since he did not purchase Rupe Corporation, he formed his own company called Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. It was imperative that he keep the name Rupe’s Hydraulics as the DBA because of the stellar reputation that the company had built over the years.
Rassoul purchased the company in 2005 and maintained the status quo for 15 years. In 2019, he decided it was time to retire. He retained a broker to look for potential buyers of the business and in November of 2019 entered into negotiations with Patrick Maluso and Stephanie Jennison who successfully purchased the entire stock of Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc., DBA Rupe’s Hydraulics Sales and Service. The sale was consummated on April 30th, 2020, just as COVID-19 was in its great crescendo. Luckily, Hydraulic Systems and Components had government contracts that would require them to remain open as an essential provider.
A Bright Future
Patrick’s many years of technical knowledge, managerial, and fluid power experience made him a well-suited president and CEO. In the past 4 years, Patrick has brought in new equipment, new personnel, and a licensed professional engineer to continue to grow the business. Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. now covers the 11 southern counties in California, reaching from San Luis Obispo County to the Mexican border, from the Coast to the Colorado River. Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. | Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California has also recently launched a new business, Motion Dynamics Manufacturing, to support the new cylinder and hydraulic power unit manufacturing division. This also opens the door for our Licensed Engineer and Operations Manager to exercise his expertise in conveyor manufacturing.
With the support of our dedicated team and our loyal customers, we look forward to continuing to provide quality products at fair prices with exemplary customer service.
Meet Our Owner | Pat Maluso | A Journey of Passion and Expertise
Early Beginnings and Career
Pat Maluso has always been an entrepreneur at heart. Growing up in a middle-class Midwest steel town, he learned to embrace a strong work ethic at an early age. After graduating high school, Pat went off to college while simultaneously working full-time on one of United States Steel Corporation’s subsidiary railroads. It became apparent that the local steel mills could not maintain their competitive edge against imported steel from Japan, leading to the closure of these mills and a significant economic downturn in the area.
After being laid off in November of 1977, Pat decided to visit family friends in Southern California. Within two weeks, he landed a job as a Service Analyst for Challenge-Cook Bros., Inc. (C-CB), the largest ready-mixed concrete truck manufacturer at that time. It was during this period that he learned about hydraulics, attending Sundstrand Hydro-Transmission school and Eaton Training Center to deepen his knowledge of hydraulics and hydrostatic transmissions.
Professional Growth and Challenges
Pat remained at C-CB from 1978 until the 1982 recession, which left him unemployed once again. Fortunately, he quickly secured a position as an outside parts salesman for a local Kenworth Truck dealership. However, due to the severe recession and exorbitant interest rates, sales were disappointing. Pat then joined Utility Trailer Company as a Parts Specialist. As the economy began to recover, Pat was contacted by his former employer at Challenge-Cook Brothers to join their International Division.
During his tenure, Pat also worked in the Laundry-Textile Division and Southwest Region Parts Department before accepting a position as National Parts Manager in Bryan, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, Challenge-Cook Brothers’ assets and inventory were acquired by McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing in Dodge Center, Minnesota. Pat was one of the few employees from Challenge-Cook invited to join McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, necessitating a move to Minnesota in the winter. Pat and his family soon longed to return to Southern California, which they did in 1988. Pat stayed with McNeilus for another year before moving on to Western Hydrostatics, Inc. as an outside sales representative.
Leadership and Expertise
At Western Hydrostatics, Pat quickly advanced through the ranks, transitioning to Service Manager, Production Manager, Plant Manager, and ultimately General Manager. He continued to expand his knowledge by attending training sessions at Bosch Rexroth, Denison Pump Training, and Berendsen Hydraulics Courses.
Pat’s dedication to lifelong learning is evident in his extensive library of fluid power technical books, business management, and leadership resources. He became the first in his company to earn a Certified Fluid Power Hydraulic Mechanic designation through the International Fluid Power Society. Pat also attained Hydraulic Specialist Certification, Connector and Conductor Certification, and became a Certified Fluid Power Accredited Instructor and Job Proctor. His passion for teaching led him to train and certify his staff, as well as teach fluid power courses at Cerritos College and Norco College.
In 2012, Pat was honored to be nominated and elected President of the International Fluid Power Society, where he remains active, serving on several committees and maintaining his Accredited Instructor and Job Performance Proctor status. Pat is the only IFPS Accredited Instructor in Southern California.
A New Chapter
After 27 years at Western Hydrostatics, Inc., Pat decided to retire. Driven by his passion for teaching and his Accredited Instructor Certification, he started a training and consulting business, traveling the country to teach hydraulics and pneumatics. Initially envisioned as a part-time endeavor, it allowed him more free time to enjoy partial retirement.
However, Pat’s lifelong dream of owning his own business came true when he discovered that his largest competitor from his Western Hydrostatics days, Rupe’s Hydraulics Sales and Service, was being sold. This opportunity was a perfect fit for Pat, aligning with the same customer base, product lines, repair services, territory, and vendor base he had developed over his career.
In May of 2020, Pat, along with his new wife, became the new owners of Hydraulic Systems and Components, Inc. dba Rupe’s Hydraulics Sales and Service. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Pat is dedicated to revitalizing and growing the custom hydraulic cylinders California company to its maximum potential.
Be a Part of Our Next Chapter
Reflecting on the incredible journey of Rupe’s Hydraulics—now Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. | Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California — it’s impossible not to marvel at the transformation from a humble one-car garage to our expansive, cutting-edge 35,000 square foot facility. This evolution underscores not just a story of success but one of vision, innovation, and relentless dedication. As we navigate this next thrilling chapter under Patrick Maluso’s leadership, we warmly invite you to join us in this exciting evolution. Your involvement could play a pivotal role in our future successes.
Support Our Growth: Your Role in Our Story
Our history is a remarkable tale of continual growth and excellence. We’ve grown from providing essential hydraulic repair services to becoming a leader in custom hydraulic solutions across Southern California. With the expansion of our operations to 11 counties and the launch of Motion Dynamics Manufacturing, we’re ready for even greater accomplishments. We invite you to become a part of our journey. Consider Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. Custom Hydraulic Cylinders California for your hydraulic needs, whether you require state-of-the-art custom cylinders, advanced hydraulic power units, or top-notch repair services. Our team is ready to meet your needs with unparalleled expertise and commitment.
Explore Our New Offerings: Innovation at Its Best
In our quest to push the boundaries of hydraulic technology, we are thrilled to introduce an array of new products and services. Motion Dynamics Manufacturing stands as a testament to our commitment to innovation, enhancing our ability to deliver high-quality hydraulic components. Dive into our latest offerings, from advanced hydraulic systems tailored for diverse industries to cutting-edge components designed for precision and performance. Our dedicated custom hydraulic cylinders California team is here to craft solutions that meet your unique requirements. Reach out to discover how our new products can elevate your projects and drive your success.
Join Our Community: Stay Connected and Informed
At Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc., we treasure the relationships we’ve built over the years. Our growth has been fueled by the trust and support of our clients, and we’re eager to continue serving you with the excellence that has defined us. Join our vibrant community by subscribing to our newsletter, engaging with us on social media, and participating in our events. By staying connected, you’ll be the first to know about the latest developments, product launches, and industry trends. Your participation helps us refine our services and stay aligned with your needs.
Get in Touch: Personalized Support for Your Success
We know that every project is unique, and we’re here to provide tailored support to ensure your success. Our custom hydraulic cylinders California team of experts is ready to assist with any inquiries, offer advice, and deliver solutions customized to your specific needs. Contact us today to discuss your hydraulic requirements, schedule a consultation, or request a quote. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service that exceeds your expectations. Let’s collaborate to turn your hydraulic challenges into opportunities for triumph.
As we celebrate our storied past and look forward to a promising future, we extend a heartfelt invitation to you—our esteemed customers, partners, and community. Join us in this exciting new phase of growth and innovation at Hydraulic Systems and Components Inc. Together, let’s drive success and reach new milestones.