Exhibit 99.1


FOR RELEASE: Immediately


Contact:
Richard K. Arter               Investor Relations                  941-362-1200
Richard J. Dobbyn              Chief Financial Officer             941-362-1200


            SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION DECLARES 4TH QUARTER DIVIDEND


SARASOTA, FLA, December 18, 2002 - Sun Hydraulics Corporation (NASDAQ: SNHY)
has announced a $0.04 per share dividend on its common stock. The dividend is
payable on January 15, 2003, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2002.


Sun Hydraulics Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of high
performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds for worldwide
industrial and mobile markets. For more information about Sun, please visit our
website at www.sunhydraulics.com.