The Founder of Hollander’s Hydraulics, Inc. was Clinton W. Hollander.
Clint was born in Ogema, Wisconsin, on August 5th, 1912. He was raised in Ogema and lived and worked in the area until 1960.
In 1960 an old friend, who was working for Prentice Hydraulics, Inc., approached Clint about also going to work for Prentice. Prentice Hydraulics, Inc. was at that time a young company which had recently developed, and was manufacturing, Hydraulic Knuckle Boom Loaders. Leo Heikkinen, the Founder and President of Prentice Hydraulics, Inc., was interested in introducing the Knuckle Boom Loader to the South Eastern US. To that end he offered Clint a job as Marketing Representative for the Southeastern US. The territory involved included the 7 Southeastern states of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Clint in due course decided to take the position. With a 6 month guaranteed salary, and commissions to be earned, Clint drew money out of his savings, bought a truck, mounted a New Prentice FOBC loader on it, and headed south. Demonstrating and setting up Prentice Dealers became Clint’s life for the next several months. A new product, in a new area, manufactured by a company a long ways away, these where some of the challenges that had to be overcome. Hard work, and a great product that Clint firmly believed in, finally paid off with the first sale nearly 6 months later.
In 1961 Clint negotiated a territory with Prentice and became an independent Prentice Dealer. His initial territory included Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. For his home base he chose Gainesville, Florida. In the summer of 1961 Clint moved his family to Gainesville and began his career as a Prentice Loader Dealer.
Over the years the Dealership grew into one of the top Prentice sales areas in the country. There where numerous years when Hollander's Hydraulics, Inc. won awards for top sales in the district and also top sales in the country. As the business grew, new lines where added and new services where offered. Customer support has always been considered crucial to our operation. From that concept flowed a natural progression of new products and services. The addition of a Welding Shop, an Inventory of Hydraulic Hose, Hydraulic Seals, Pumps, Valves, a Machine Shop, larger Parts Rooms, larger Shop Areas, etc, etc. Customer driven for customer service.
With the aid of family and employees Hollander’s Hydraulics, Inc. has been serving our Customers and evolving for nearly 55 years. Today we still proudly represent Prentice as a Prentice Loader Dealer. Through the years we have also evolved into a Full Service Hydraulic Repair Facility. We carry a large inventory of Hydraulic Hose, Seals and Components. With our Welding and Machine shops, combined with our many years of experience, we are now able to Design and Fabricate quality custom built machinery and systems. Customer Service, the heart of our business.
Clint, his wife Mabel, daughter JoAnne, son-in-law Richard, son Brian, and daughter-in-law Connie, all have contributed over the years to the success of Hollander’s Hydraulics, Inc. Controlling interest, and the Presidency of Hollander’s Hydraulics, Inc. passed to his son Brian in 1992. We have been and remain a Family Owned and Operated business.
Clinton Hollander passed on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2002. He was 89. He could be found at “The Shop” as often as health allowed, nearly to the end. Mabel Hollander his wife, constant companion and Office Manager, passed on March 23rd, 2007.
There have been many customers over the years who have expressed their admiration for both Clint and Mabel Hollander. Perhaps one who expressed it best, when hearing of Clint’s passing, said “If ever I knew a good man it was Clint Hollander”.