business & market news
12
Tube Products International July 2014
British valve firm wins second
Queen’s Award
Valve engineering specialist Severn
Glocon Group has been awarded
a Queen’s Award for Enterprise,
International Trade for the second time
in four years.
The award recognises the British
manufacturer’s three-year trajectory of
continuous growth in overseas sales.
Between 2010 and 2012 international
trade increased by 120 per cent and
now represents 68 per cent
of total group turnover.
Growth was accelerated
by strategic acquisitions
of UK firms specialising
in subsea and butterfly
valves within the three-
year timeframe. This
diversification enhances
the scope of the group’s
British engineering and
manufacturing capabilities
for the global oil and gas
industry.
New developments in
Australia, China, Brazil,
India and Iraq played an
important role in the award
win.
Australia
has
seen
significant growth, with
the group earning ‘top
three cryogenic valve
manufacturer’
status
and securing several
landmark LNG contracts.
Established markets such
as the Middle East also played a major
role in overall international sales.
The group has continued to invest in
its facilities and infrastructure, including
the relocation of established plant
division Severn Unival to purpose-built
£2.5mn premises; significant expansion
of manufacturing facilities in India;
and installation of sophisticated high-
capacity cryogenic testing in Gloucester,
UK.
A Regional Growth Fund grant
facilitated the opening of a dedicated
valve innovation centre, which is one
part of an enhanced focus on research
and development that helps the group
compete more effectively with larger US
conglomerates.
“The past three years have been the
most dynamic in our 53 year history,”
said CEO Maurice Critchley. “Many
different strands of activity have come
together, driving significant growth and
success. I am proud to be at the helm
of a progressive British engineering
and manufacturing firm that delivers
truly world-class valve products and
technical advisory services.”
Severn Glocon Group plc
– UK
American Piping fills management roles
American Piping Products, a
distributor of steel pipe, fittings and
flanges, has filled three key positions
with in-house talent.
Kevin Koehler, who has served as the
company’s executive vice president
since 2012, will move into the role of
managing director.
Matt Danis, who joined the company
in 2009, will move from his role as
COO into a position as managing
director. Mr Danis will also remain the
CFO.
Shep Hickey, who joined the
operations team in 2011, has been
promoted to COO.
American Piping Products CEO Al
Rheinnecker said, “American Piping
Products is an industry leader as
a result of investing in people, and
we think that promoting successful
people from within our organisation
is the ultimate vote of confidence in
their abilities.
“I am pleased to announce the
promotion of these three leaders. They
have earned it with hard work and
exceptional dedication to American
PipingProducts. These keypromotions
are part of an ongoing effort to build a
world-class management team at our
company.”
Collectively, Mr Koehler, Mr Danis and
Mr Hickey bring more than 40 years of
management and piping experience
to the company’s executive team.
American Piping Products Inc
– USA
Severn Glocon CEO Maurice Critchley
