CLEVELAND, July 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Here's another angle on this week's blockbuster release of "The Perfect Storm": At the heart of the action was Cleveland, Ohio-based Parker Hannifin, a company which specializes in motion and control technologies for just about everything that moves.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990816/PHLOGO )
The company's supporting role was, well, to rock the boat. Parker was cast for the film when effects creators were looking for waterproof valves with enough wave-making power to realistically thrash the 72-foot-long, full- scale model of the Andrea Gail. Parker provided the solution, with six high- precision servo valves operating at 100 gallons per minute to precisely depict the storm's fury. And, happily for the film's sea-weary actors, the valves performed perfectly, allowing fewer takes.
Parker has been involved in many hair-raising moments in the entertainment industry, including the sinking of the Titanic, Godzilla's rampage, the return of Batman, and the gnashing bite of Jaws.
Rich Duder, a Parker Entertainment Market Manager who also is a motion- control systems engineer, notes Parker's leading role in experiential entertainment. He says Parker technologies make for lifelike jaunts in virtual-reality attractions and bring animatronic creatures to life, from tiny insects to towering dinosaurs. "Whether it's in the movies or on the world's most popular amusements, Parker is there."
With annual sales of $6 billion, Parker Hannifin Corporation is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 40,000 people in 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com , or its investor information site at www.phstock.com . SOURCE Parker Hannifin Corporation
CONTACT: Media, Lorrie Paul Crum, VP - Corp. Communications, 216-896-2750, or Financial Analysts, or Timothy K. Pistell, Treasurer, 216-896-2130, both of Parker Hannifin/
