History

HISTORY

2022

Australian Surface Technologies (AST), specialists in hardchrome plating, was acquired in 2022.

Founded in 1992, AST boasts major strengths in hardchrome plating, cylindrical grinding, and pump shaft repair to a growing list of Australian customers across the heavy industrial, manufacturing and resource industries.

2021

Aussie Fluid Power, Hardchrome Sales and Rathmann Engineering were acquired on 1 July 2021. 

Founded in 2010, Aussie Fluid Power boasts major engineering, design and innovation strengths. They provide hydraulic and process solutions to a growing list of Australian and international customers across the water, energy and resource industries. Major customers include Chevron, Monadelphous, Downer EDI, and Woodside Energy.

Hardchrome Sales was founded in 1964 and has the largest capacity for re-chroming and grinding hydraulic rods, shafts and pins in Western Australia. Known for their excellence in the engineering and refurbishment of hydraulic equipment, Hardchrome Sales specialise in fitting, chroming, machining, welding and honing services. Their large customer base includes Westrac, Komatsu, Liebherr and Rio Tinto.

With a strong reputation for their workmanship and high levels of customer service in the industry, the team at Rathmann Engineering have significant experience and tenure in the hydraulics industry.

2020

Nordon Cylinders, Australia’s leading manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders, was acquired. Founded in 1972, Nordon manufactures a large range of hydraulic cylinders for light, medium, industrial and heavy duty applications from their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Brendale, QLD. 

In December 2020, Questas Group acquired Meadow Industries. Meadow Industries is a Newcastle based supplier of machining, fitting, fabrication and distribution services into NSW manufacturing and mining industries.

2019

In June 2019, Allegro Funds acquired a majority stake in Questas Group partnering with the founder, Kede Carboni, to transform and grow the group of companies.

2018

Southern Cross Darwin, a leading supplier of pump & irrigation equipment, was acquired. For over 30 years, Southern Cross Darwin has provided water handling solutions for the industrial, commercial, agricultural and residential markets within Northern Territory.

2017

CCA Hardchrome was acquired. Based in Kings Park, NSW, CCA Hardchrome is widely recognised as an expert in the field of surface engineering, providing chrome plating and cylindrical grinding services. This new and exciting business opportunity enabled the provision of chrome plating and grinding services to a diverse range of businesses in the construction, manufacturing, mining and energy sectors.

2015

The operations of Stalker Pumps was acquired. Based in Perth, WA, Stalker Pumps has been proudly operating & manufacturing in Australia since 1923 with the Stalker brand being highly valued and prominent. This was an exciting opportunity for Questas Group to build on Stalker Pumps’ installed customer base and further increase the overall market share of the Stalker brand. The additional Stalker Pumps products, customer base and relationships will only further Questas Group’s reach to new and existing business opportunities in Mining, Oil and Gas, Agricultural, Civil and Marine construction industries.

2014

Water Dynamics, a leading specialist provider of water irrigation systems in Australia, was acquired. With a network of strategically located branches across Australia, Water Dynamics services the Agricultural, Government, and Industrial and Residential markets. It engages in significant project work which includes the design and installation of water management systems, supply of products to both retail and wholesale customers, along with maintenance, service and repair, and support services. 

This was a very exciting development for Questas Group, which will see it diversify into new products, markets and technologies, further strengthening its position as a major national supplier of engineering products and services.

2013

A strategic equity stake was acquired in Beasley’s Hydraulic Services, based in Bundaberg, Queensland. This partnership further strengthens the business’ geographical reach across Australia and in particular throughout South East Queensland. Additionally, it provides Beasley’s shareholders with the additional resources and capabilities of Questas Group’s supply chain, purchasing, service and administrative capabilities.

2012

Pacific Hydraulics establishes an operation in Newcastle, NSW to service the Hunter Valley mining sector

2011

The Hydraulic Warehouse was incorporated to provide hydraulic resellers across Australia with exceptional quality products at market competitive prices, backed up with dedicated product support and outstanding stock availability across 16,000 products.

2008

The establishment of Questas Corporate was a significant milestone for the group. The finance, marketing, IT and logistics teams were transferred from each of Berendsen Fluid Power, Engineered Products Group, Malcolm ThompsonPumpand Pacific Hydraulics into a shared services company, Questas Corporate. A Group Executive Management and Administrationteam was also established within Questas Corporate.

Pacific Hydraulics acquires the Brisbane based business of Hydraulico Pty. Ltd.
Malcolm Thompson Pumps acquires the NSW based business of Nossiter Pumps Pty. Ltd.

2007
The fluid power division of Engineered Products Group was merged into Pacific Hydraulics and the transmission division was divested to a third party as a non-core business unit. Engineered Products Group was now in a position to focus on its exclusive Australian distributorship for Kohler and Lombardini Engines. By now the restructuring of businesses acquired between 1995 and 2006 was complete and the group comprised of four distinct companies, each with a dominant presence in their own niche via a comprehensive national branch network;
To accommodate growth, the Perth based operations of Berendsen, Pacific and Malcolm Thompson Pumps move into much larger, custom built facilities at Perth Airport
2006

Pacific Hydraulics Pty Ltd was acquired, which as a competitor to Berendsen Fluid Power, strategically positioned the Group as distributors and authorised service centres for the two dominant global names in fluid power, being Eaton and Sauer-Danfoss. The two hydraulics companies also ensured coverage across both industrial and mobile hydraulics markets.

Later this same year, Pacific acquires the Ipswich, Queensland based hydraulic sales and service business Advanced Hydraulic Services Pty. Ltd. to service specific key accounts in the far west of the Brisbane Metro area.

Also in 2006, Malcolm Thompson Pumps Pty Ltd was acquired, providing pumping solutions to Australia’s west coast since 1967. The pump division of Engineered Products Group, whose operations were focused largely on the Eastcoast, was merged into Malcolm Thompson Pumps, ensuring a truly National presence for Malcolm Thompson Pumps.

2005

Berendsen acquires the Sydney based hydraulic sales and service business of Hydratorque Pty. Ltd. from the LSW Group

2003

Berendsen Fluid Power Pty Ltd was acquired from an overseas parent company, immediately becoming Australia’s largest locally owned hydraulics business.

Later this same year, Berendsen acquires the Geelong based hydraulic sales and service business Controlled Hydraulics Pty. Ltd. which also specialised in custom made hydraulic power unit manufacture.

2000

Berendsen Fluid Power Pty Ltd was acquired from an overseas parent company, immediately becoming Australia’s largest locally owned hydraulics business.

Later this same year, Berendsen acquires the Geelong based hydraulic sales and service business Controlled Hydraulics Pty. Ltd. which also specialised in custom made hydraulic power unit manufacture.

1995

The co-founders commenced forming Questas Group through the acquisition of a number of businesses including Australia Engine & Transmission Company, Austraulics, Gibson Battle and Australian Pump Company. These businesses, which specialised in stationary engines, fluid power, transmission and pumps respectively, were merged to form Engineered Products Group Pty Ltd, becoming a dominant force in the industrial market

2020

Nordon Cylinders, Australia’s leading manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders, was acquired. Founded in 1972, Nordon manufactures a large range of hydraulic cylinders for light, medium, industrial and heavy duty applications from their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Brendale, QLD. 

In December 2020, Questas Group acquired Meadow Industries. Meadow Industries is a Newcastle based supplier of machining, fitting, fabrication and distribution services into NSW manufacturing and mining industries.

2019

In June 2019, Allegro Funds acquired a majority stake in Questas Group partnering with the founder, Kede Carboni, to transform and grow the group of companies.

2018

Southern Cross Darwin, a leading supplier of pump & irrigation equipment, was acquired. For over 30 years, Southern Cross Darwin has provided water handling solutions for the industrial, commercial, agricultural and residential markets within Northern Territory.

2017

CCA Hardchrome was acquired. Based in Kings Park, NSW, CCA Hardchrome is widely recognised as an expert in the field of surface engineering, providing chrome plating and cylindrical grinding services. This new and exciting business opportunity enabled the provision of chrome plating and grinding services to a diverse range of businesses in the construction, manufacturing, mining and energy sectors.

2015

The operations of Stalker Pumps was acquired. Based in Perth, WA, Stalker Pumps has been proudly operating & manufacturing in Australia since 1923 with the Stalker brand being highly valued and prominent. This was an exciting opportunity for Questas Group to build on Stalker Pumps’ installed customer base and further increase the overall market share of the Stalker brand. The additional Stalker Pumps products, customer base and relationships will only further Questas Group’s reach to new and existing business opportunities in Mining, Oil and Gas, Agricultural, Civil and Marine construction industries.

2014

Water Dynamics, a leading specialist provider of water irrigation systems in Australia, was acquired. With a network of strategically located branches across Australia, Water Dynamics services the Agricultural, Government, and Industrial and Residential markets. It engages in significant project work which includes the design and installation of water management systems, supply of products to both retail and wholesale customers, along with maintenance, service and repair, and support services. 

This was a very exciting development for Questas Group, which will see it diversify into new products, markets and technologies, further strengthening its position as a major national supplier of engineering products and services.

2013

A strategic equity stake was acquired in Beasley’s Hydraulic Services, based in Bundaberg, Queensland. This partnership further strengthens the business’ geographical reach across Australia and in particular throughout South East Queensland. Additionally, it provides Beasley’s shareholders with the additional resources and capabilities of Questas Group’s supply chain, purchasing, service and administrative capabilities.

2012

Pacific Hydraulics establishes an operation in Newcastle, NSW to service the Hunter Valley mining sector

2011

The Hydraulic Warehouse was incorporated to provide hydraulic resellers across Australia with exceptional quality products at market competitive prices, backed up with dedicated product support and outstanding stock availability across 16,000 products.

2008

The establishment of Questas Corporate was a significant milestone for the group. The finance, marketing, IT and logistics teams were transferred from each of Berendsen Fluid Power, Engineered Products Group, Malcolm ThompsonPumpand Pacific Hydraulics into a shared services company, Questas Corporate. A Group Executive Management and Administrationteamwasalsoestablished within Questas Corporate.

Pacific Hydraulics acquires the Brisbane based business of Hydraulico Pty. Ltd.
Malcolm Thompson Pumps acquires the NSW based business of Nossiter Pumps Pty. Ltd.

2007

The fluid power division of Engineered Products Group was merged into Pacific Hydraulics and the transmission division was divested to a third party as a non-core business unit.

Engineered Products Group was now in a position to focus on its exclusive Australian distributorship for Kohler and Lombardini Engines.

By now the restructuring of businesses acquired between 1995 and 2006 was complete and the group comprised of four distinct companies, each with a dominant presence in their own niche via a comprehensive national branch network;

To accommodate growth, the Perth based operations of Berendsen, Pacific and Malcolm Thompson Pumps move into much larger, custom built facilities at Perth Airport

2006

Pacific Hydraulics Pty Ltd was acquired, which as a competitor to Berendsen Fluid Power, strategically positioned the Group as distributors and authorised service centres for the two dominant global names in fluid power, being Eaton and Sauer-Danfoss. The two hydraulics companies also ensured coverage across both industrial and mobile hydraulics markets.

Later this same year, Pacific acquires the Ipswich, Queensland based hydraulic sales and service business Advanced Hydraulic Services Pty. Ltd. to service specific key accounts in the far west of the Brisbane Metro area.

Also in 2006, Malcolm Thompson Pumps Pty Ltd was acquired, providing pumping solutions to Australia’s west coast since 1967. The pump division of Engineered Products Group, whose operations were focused largely on the Eastcoast, was merged into Malcolm Thompson Pumps, ensuring a truly National presence for Malcolm Thompson Pumps.

2005

Berendsen acquires the Sydney based hydraulic sales and service business of Hydratorque Pty. Ltd. from the LSW Group

2003

As the businesses grow, the Engineered Products Group and Berendsen consolidate their Sydney based head office operations into a large custom built 5,000sqm office and warehouse facility in Seven Hills, NSW.

2000

Berendsen Fluid Power Pty Ltd was acquired from an overseas parent company, immediately becoming Australia’s largest locally owned hydraulics business.

Later this same year, Berendsen acquires the Geelong based hydraulic sales and service business Controlled Hydraulics Pty. Ltd. which also specialised in custom made hydraulic power unit manufacture.

1995

The co-founders commenced forming Questas Group through the acquisition of a number of businesses including Australia Engine & Transmission Company, Austraulics, Gibson Battle and Australian Pump Company. These businesses, which specialised in stationary engines, fluid power, transmission and pumps respectively, were merged to form Engineered Products Group Pty Ltd, becoming a dominant force in the industrial market.

Who We Are

Our Companies

We are a privately owned enterprise with diverse business operations in the following areas: