08/30/2012

Spotlight on NAHAD Leaders: Dan Barrett of Parker Hannifin Corp.

Interview with Dan Barrett, General Manager for Parker Hannifin Corp.’s Industrial Hose Division. Barrett is a new member of the NAHAD Board of Directors.

NAHAD: Tell me a little about your history and how you got into this industry.

Dan Barrett: I’ve been with Parker 29 years within the fluid connector segment of the business, and in 2007 became general manager for the Industrial Hose Products Division. Prior to that, most of my experience with Parker has been on the hydraulic hose side.

NAHAD: What do you like best about the Industrial Hose business?

Barrett: The interesting thing about this business is the depth and variety of the applications and markets that this business touches. Any medium that is carried from point A to point B, industrial hoses somehow touch the market. I find it very intriguing the amount of applications in industrial and commercial uses where we’re playing some type of role.

NAHAD: How would you describe the Industrial Hose Division and what is its key differentiator?

Barrett: Our mission is to be recognized as the industry market leader. We aim to accomplish this goal utilizing a strategic product portfolio and dedicating our service and support systems to exceed our customer’s expectations of value.  Parker has been doing a nice job of expanding its presence in the market and our ambition is continued growth.

NAHAD: What are your goals as a new member of the NAHAD Board of Directors?

Barrett: A personal goal is to try to motivate some of our distributors who aren’t active within NAHAD to get active within NAHAD. I’ll also be contributing to the NAHAD Hose Safety Institute guidelines.  Parker can be a resource to help expand and maintain the accuracy of the guidelines, which the industry uses as a reference. I look forward to forging relationships with our board members and the number of distributors who utilize NAHAD services.  

NAHAD: How does NAHAD benefit its members?

Barrett: They provide unique tools and training materials that are valuable to distributors from a business standpoint. NAHAD’s University of Industrial Distribution helps people interested in entering the industry learn the skills required and the career pathways available. During the NAHAD convention, distributors get an opportunity to see what’s new in the marketplace at one point in time with a number of manufacturers. The convention also brings value in terms of industry trends and what other distributors are seeing.