Python Protective Sleeve + Covers, a division of Suburban Manufacturing Group, is the trusted authority in hydraulic hose protection. Since 1979, the headquarters have been in Monticello, MN employing 68 workers today. Their sleeves and straps are designed to provide ultimate peace of mind in real-world applications. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified with a 45,000 square foot facility designed to provide quality assurance you can trust for any project.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: We provide reliable protective sleeves and covers for agriculture, construction, defense, industrial, oil & gas, transportation, and utilities operations. We’ve combined the latest in digital manufacturing with our proprietary products to offer on-demand configurable parts for equipment manufacturers, and our extensive amount of sewing processes has allowed us to partner with customers to design unique and specific fluid power solutions.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: One of the newer product offerings for hose assemblies, the Diamondback PRO Sleeve, offers super easy installation, operator protection, and is the number one tubular sleeve for abrasion resistance. Hose assemblies can, on average, save up to 80% on installation times while offering companies a workplace safety solution for protection against pin hole bursts and hose ruptures.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: We manufacture wrap sleeves, tubular sleeves, bundling straps, and work with our customers to create their own solution. Our wrap sleeves feature Military-Spec Extreme Hook & Loop closure, allowing the sleeve to be applied post hose assembly. We offer eight different wrap sleeves, specific to certain applications all with UV, chemical, and abrasion protection. They are resistant to punctures and tearing, and can be cut to length. Our tubular sleeves are specifically made for applications that encounter high temperature hydraulic systems. Aside from the Diamondback PRO, we carry three other tubular sleeves: the fire sleeve, standard and heavy-duty acrylic-coated braided fiberglass sleeve. We offer four different bundling straps that are all extremely flexible and have UV protection: cinch, hanging, grip, and micro straps.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: Since the pandemic, our company was able to bounce back faster than expected. However, due to the pandemic, demand is currently greater than supply. Globally connected, both agriculture and construction markets within the mobile hydraulic industry are increasing in demand, of which, bottlenecks in raw materials are creating hurdles for manufacturers. The pandemic has allowed our business to innovate robust supply chain strategies that would prohibit any future impacts to our business.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: Mobile hydraulic shipments are forecasted to increase month over month through 2023. Orders are stabilizing, but shipments are still hampered by the supply chain issues. Generally speaking, consumer confidence is on the rise, but until the supply chain sorts itself out, it’s still 6-12 months minimum from returning to some level of normalcy. Many companies are becoming more motivated to reshore their supply chains to avoid another situation like COVID.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: The Diamondback PRO, which was introduced in 2020, offers dual uses by providing line-of-sight operator protection from hydraulic hose failure, abrasion resistance, and now ease of installation. Often used in construction applications, it is made from proprietary fiber woven tightly and heat-treated, which shrinks the sleeve to the finished dimension. We have pin hole protection tested to 4,000 PSI and burst tested to 12,000 PSI, providing highly effective abrasion protection.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
Python Protective Sleeve + Covers: With employees returning to facilities and with the creation of the vaccine, we are ramping up our production. We are seeing expected increases in production in both pneumatics and hydraulics, but also organic growth in both areas as well.
