Shipham Valves acquires the Advanced Valve Technologies composite valve product range

Flow Group Limited are pleased to announce the acquisition by their Shipham Valves division of the intellectual property, trading name, and assets of Advanced Valve Technologies from receivers Abbott Fielding.

Over the last 10 years AVT have been developing and manufacturing a range of ball and butterfly valves manufactured from Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE). These valves offer outstanding internal and external corrosion resistance and up to 60% weight saving over metal equivalents.

AVT went into receivership in early February after hitting financial difficulties. By beating off competition from the USA to acquire these assets and keep this technology within the UK, Shipham Valves are demonstrating their commitment to maintaining their position as the world leaders in the manufacture and supply of valves for seawater service. The AVT product range will serve as an exciting add-on to Shipham’s existing product range for the oil & gas, petrochemical and naval marine markets.

Flow Group Managing Director, John Wall, said "The composite product, whilst having limitations in terms of size range and class rating, does have applications within seawater, HVAC, and hazardous services, and as such complements the existing Shipham product range, which is already the most diverse of any single manufacturer in the world considering size, material and type."

AVT products, which have significant approvals and accreditations, are already in service in a wide range of applications including British Royal Navy vessels, chemical plants and offshore platforms and FPSO’s, very often in applications where the pipework is also made from GRE.

The AVT range of composite valves will now be offered by Shipham Valves as an extension to their product range. Due to the AVT business having briefly ceased trading, there will inevitably be some interruption in supply. However, through retaining the key relevant technical expertise from AVT, Shipham Valves will be making the AVT range available as soon as is practically possible after transfer to the Shipham site in Hull.

For more information on the AVT composite range, visit www.advalve.com or contact Shipham Valves email: avt@shipham-valves.com, phone: +44 1482 383336 or fax: +44 1482 383337.

Over the last three years, Flow Group sales have been growing at a compound annual rate of 30% to $60M in 2007, with exports outside the UK accounting for a staggering 85% of sales. This further acquisition should help to continue this impressive performance. For more information on the Flow Group visit www.flowgroup.co.uk

Published: 25th September 2009