Valves firm completes £13.2 million contract (From Knutsford Guardian)

Valves firm completes £13.2 million contract

8:40am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in News By James Wilson

A KNUTSFORD firm has completed its biggest deal, worth £13.2 million.

Parkgate-based Oliver Valves, which manufactures high-performance valves used by global energy companies, has completed the installation of its largest order – a contract to supply valves and control systems to a major gas project off the coast of Qatar.

The valves will perform critical flow control duties on the $8.6 billion Barzan project, which will supply gas to users across the Emirate and play a key strategic role in sustaining Qatar’s high rate of growth.

Oliver Valves supplied 105 large Twinsafe valves, customised for the project, along with a hydraulic control system which allows the units to be operated remotely.

The project was signed in September 2011 and, to ensure delivery in a tight timescale, the company increased the production capacity at its Knutsford headquarters, where all of the valves were built and tested.

Michael Oliver, chairman and founder of Oliver Valves, said: “As the largest single order in the business’ history, this has also been one of the most challenging in terms of delivery.

“It is a great credit to the team that it has been delivered smoothly, on time and in line with the customer’s stringent requirements.

“The project marks a significant milestone in terms of Oliver Valves’ international reputation and capabilities.

“It is a source of renewed confidence as we look forward to competing for and fulfilling further contracts of this scale with valves built in the north west, bringing real benefits to the regional economy.”

The contract has contributed to a period of significant growth in the business – last year saw turnover increase 56 per cent to £65.5 million and the company plans to achieve sales of £100 million within 12 to 18 months.

Oliver Valves was launched by Michael Oliver in 1979 with a single product – an innovative valve of his own design – and has grown to supply energy projects across the globe.

In 2012 the business expanded with a new 47,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at its base in Knutsford, and recently opened a new R&D facility dedicated to product development and improvement.