Valvemaker Conbraco Sold to Dutch Rival

Aug. 23, 2010
Aalberts similar culture of vertical integration seen as justifying consolidation

Closely held valve manufacturer Conbraco Industries Inc. has been sold to Aalberts Industries N.V., a Dutch firm with a compatible line of business in the flow-control sector. The value of the sale has not been reported, and North Carolina-based Conbraco has indicated its senior management will remain in place with the company “for the long-term.”

In a letter to customers, Conbraco president and CEO Glenn L. Mosack, said the sale “was in the best interest of our family, our shareholders, our employees, and our customer base to join the Aalberts family group. This decision will create tremendous opportunities to enhance our worldwide market position. Aalberts portfolio includes over 150 separate companies. Their outstanding reputation in the marketplace along with their commitment to providing necessary resources, enable these businesses to achieve consistent, remarkable growth.”

Conbraco produces the Apollow Valves line of bronze, brass, steel and stainless steel valves and various backflow preventers.

Aalberts has two business segments, Industrial Services (supplying products, systems and processes to semiconductor, automotive, medical, aerospace, energy, engineering, and defense markets) and Flow Control.

The Flow Control segment’s core activities is designing and producing products and systems for distribution and regulation of liquids and gases. In a statement earlier this summer Aalberts said buying Conbraco purchase would allow it to expand its presence in U.S. market.

The Conbraco name and brands will remain in place. In his statement to customers, Mosack said: “Conbraco and Aalberts’ similar culture of being vertically integrated is one of the important factors that brought us together. Our commitment to U.S. manufacturing and in particular our state-of-the-art foundry operations in Pageland, SC, and Conway, SC, will continue to be one of our core competencies.”