Worldwide: Romania

For more than 25 years, HANSA‑FLEX has been a firmly established presence in the Romanian market. What began in 1997 with a bold vision and a phone call has evolved into a nationwide network that now plays a key role in modernizing Romania’s infrastructure and economy. 

Let us look back to 1997. Romania is in a phase of economic awakening following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Engineers Anca and Nicolae Tasu are searching for high-quality hydraulic components that are not available on the local market. At a time when the internet in Romania is still in its infancy and Google is unknown, research is done the traditional way. Page by page, the Tasu couple leaf through the printed supplier directory “Wer liefert was” (“Who supplies what”). Their goal: to close the gap in Romania’s hydraulic market with a partner in Western Europe known for uncompromising quality. Their choice falls on HANSA‑FLEX in Bremen.

Anca Tasu, who speaks fluent German, picks up the phone and dials the number in Germany. It is one of those moments that can determine the future of entire companies. On the other end of the line is Thomas Armerding, now Chairman of the Executive Board of HANSA‑FLEX. He is immediately convinced by the vision of the two Romanians. When asked about a possible cooperation, he responds with his characteristic decisiveness: “Doing business in Romania? Why not!” This marks the starting point of a success story that continues to this day.

A true success story
The official founding of the Romanian subsidiary took place in December 1997 as a joint venture. In rented premises, a small workshop with a counter-based sales area was opened. Strong demand for the high-quality hydraulic solutions and customer-oriented advice quickly followed. Just five years later, the company was able to move into its own headquarters with workshop, warehouse, and office space in Pantelimon/Ilfov near the Romanian capital, Bucharest. Only one year later, the first branch was opened in Timișoara, an economic hub in the west of the country where numerous international companies are based. Further branches in Cluj, in Transylvania, and in Constanța on the Black Sea followed shortly thereafter. “The Romanian economy is highly dynamic. In many regions, booming economic areas are emerging. With our new locations, we aim to position ourselves as a leading hydraulic supplier and actively support further development in these regions,” explains Nicolae Tasu.

A particular milestone in the company’s history is the hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing center opened in 2010 in Cluj-Napoca, in the heart of Transylvania. This facility gives the hydraulic specialist a true unique selling point in Romania and clearly underlines its ambition to be not only a distributor of hydraulic components and hoses, but a comprehensive hydraulic solutions provider in the country.

Further branches followed, and today HANSA‑FLEX Romania operates eight locations, ensuring close proximity to customers across a wide range of industries. Short distances and above all, rapid assistance are also provided by the mobile hydraulic on-site service. The fleet, currently consisting of four service vehicles, is set to be expanded in the future

Today, Romania is one of the most dynamic emerging markets within the European Union. Supported by European funding programs, massive investments are being made in infrastructure and construction. “For HANSA‑FLEX, this is an ideal environment, as construction machinery and heavy equipment rely on high-performance hydraulics,” comments Nicolae Tasu. However, the customer portfolio is far more diverse. In the shipyards of Constanța, expertise in shipbuilding is highly valued, while the automotive industry, manufacturing companies, and the energy sector rely on the reliability of HANSA‑FLEX components and system solutions. The agricultural sector traditionally significant in the “breadbasket of Europe”also depends on the know-how of the 35-strong team when modernizing its machinery fleet. “One of the keys to our success, in addition to our close proximity to customers, is certainly our ability to quickly familiarize ourselves with new industries and new requirements. Our employees really do an outstanding job here, as reflected in the consistently positive customer feedback.”

Behind this commercial success lies a clear philosophy. Nicolae Tasu emphasizes that in Romania, business is not conducted between companies, but between people. The country’s Latin heritage shapes communication it is expressive, personal, and marked by genuine sincerity. “For us, true quality comes first both in our products and services, and in our cooperation. Our customers know that we stand by them as a partner when it really matters,” explains Nicolae Tasu. This personal approach, combined with technical excellence, forms the foundation on which the company intends to continue growing steadily and sustainably in the years to come.