What United Valve does

United Valve is a privately held, family-owned industrial valve service company founded in 1961 and headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company provides valve repair, modification, non-destructive evaluation (NDE), hydrostatic and cryogenic testing, welding, parts manufacturing, and field services for oil & gas refiners, petrochemical and LNG facilities, and power generation operators concentrated along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. A secondary Corpus Christi facility extends the geographic footprint into the lower Gulf Coast. The company holds factory authorizations from more than 40 valve OEMs, including exclusive North American partnership with HP Valves and Velan Level I status, positioning it as a warranty-preserving alternative to OEM-direct service.

The technical platform is centered on a 104,000 sq. ft. vertically integrated Houston facility that performs machining, welding, NDE, and testing entirely in-house. Capabilities include seven CNC machines plus a 20-foot-swing vertical boring mill, eight overhead bridge cranes rated to 40 tons with 37-foot hook height, a 450 kV in-house X-ray radiography unit, cryogenic test chambers reaching -324°F, ten dedicated hydrostatic testers up to 40,000 psi, and a 300+ procedure welding catalog qualified on Stellite, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, and Ultimet overlays. A 3,000-volume reference library spanning valve catalogs from the 1880s onward supports repair of obsolete equipment. The service portfolio spans more than 20 distinct product lines across repair, modification, testing, NDE, welding, OEM support, actuation, and HP power plant services.

United Valve generates revenue on a sales-led, quote-based B2B professional services model, with pricing set per job according to valve type, scope, turnaround requirements, and testing standards. Revenue streams include valve repair services, engineered modifications, comprehensive testing, OEM support, and the HP Valves partnership. Customers are enterprise industrial operators (refineries, LNG export facilities, power plants) acquired through direct relationships with plant MRO, engineering, and procurement teams; no channel partners or distributors are used. Customer acquisition is reinforced by technical content marketing (blog, valve library, standards committee leadership) and active participation in API, MSS, VMA, and VRC committees, including authorship of API RP 591 and fugitive emissions standards. The company has remained under continuous family ownership since founding, with no external private equity or venture capital involvement disclosed.

Name

United Valve

Legal name

United Valve

Website

https://unitedvalve.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

United Valve is a Houston-based, family-owned industrial valve repair, modification, and testing company serving Gulf Coast oil & gas refiners, petrochemical and LNG facilities, and power generation operators since 1961, with factory-authorized service across 40+ valve OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Valve Repair and Testing Services

NAICS

Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing (332919)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Mechanical Piping & Pipefitting (Process/Utility Piping, Supports, Valves) (EUAEAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Valve, Fitting & Joint Integrity (Condition Assessment/Replacement Programs) (EUAJADAJ), Industrial/Process Piping & Mechanical Contracting (IMAFALAG)

Keywords

• Industrial valve repair
• Valve modification services
• Hydrostatic pressure testing
• Cryogenic valve testing
• Non-destructive evaluation

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Valve Repair Services: In-shop and field repair of industrial valves including gate, globe, check, ball, plug, and butterfly valves. Revenue is earned on a per-valve job basis, with pricing based on valve type, size, complexity, and required repairs. Turnaround-driven scopes are planned around refinery outage schedules.
2. Valve Modification Services: Engineered modification work including cryogenic valve construction, bore and stem cladding, exotic metallurgy welding, trim upgrades, and material conversions. Modification provides cost-effective alternatives to complete valve replacement.
3. Valve Testing Services: Comprehensive testing including hydrostatic, cryogenic, fugitive emissions, API RP 591 evaluation, type testing, and failure analysis. Testing services are priced per test specification and valve type, performed to API, ANSI, ASME, MSS, and ISO standards.
4. OEM Support Services: Parts manufacturing, welding services, and engineering design for valve OEMs. Includes manufacturing assistance for custom valve parts per original drawing tolerances, assembly and testing of flanged or butt-weld end valves.
5. HP Valves Partnership: Exclusive North American partner for HP Valves (Netherlands), providing warranty and repair work, maintaining stock of replacement parts, and handling project sales for power plant and industrial valves.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Valve is a vertically integrated industrial valve service provider performing repair, modification, and testing of gate, globe, check, ball, plug, and butterfly valves used in refining, petrochemical, LNG, and power generation applications. From its 104,000 sq. ft. Houston facility, the company delivers in-shop and field valve repair, engineered valve modifications including cryogenic conversion, hydrostatic and cryogenic pressure testing, NDE (radiography, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, PMI, hardness), weld overlay with specialty alloys, CNC parts manufacturing, and OEM-authorized service work for over 40 valve manufacturers.

Product overview

United Valve is a provider of industrial valve repair, modification, and testing services operating since 1961. The company offers a vertically integrated suite of services from its 104,000 sq. ft. Houston facility, including: valve repair (in-shop, field service, large diameter, delayed coker); valve modification (cryogenic conversion, engineered modifications, trim upgrades); testing (hydrostatic, cryogenic, fugitive emissions per API 622/624/641 and ISO 15848, API RP 591 evaluation, type testing, failure analysis); NDE services (radiography, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, PMI, hardness); welding services (overlay with Stellite/Inconel/Monel/Hastelloy); parts manufacturing (CNC machining); valve actuation (actuator sales and MOV repair); and HP power plant valve services. The company holds OEM authorizations from over 40 valve manufacturers and operates facilities in Houston and Corpus Christi serving the Gulf Coast refining and petrochemical industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Valve Repair Services Comprehensive industrial valve repair for gate, globe, check, ball, plug, and butterfly valves, including in-shop repair, field service, large diameter valve repair, delayed coker valve repair, and pressure seal valve repair. Restores valves to OEM and industry specifications for refinery, petrochemical, LNG, and power generation operators.
• Valve Modification Services Engineered valve modifications including cryogenic valve fabrication, bore and stem cladding, exotic metallurgy welding, trim upgrades, casting upgrades, and fabrication work. Specializes in modifying standard valves for specialized service conditions as a cost-effective alternative to complete valve replacement.
• Hydrostatic Testing Pressure testing services using water at pressures up to 40,000 psi. Performs hydrostatic, pneumatic, and service simulation tests per API 598, API 6D, ANSI B16.34, MSS SP-61, and ISO 5208 standards using 10 dedicated testing machines including a Porgetti horizontal tester for API 6D valves up to Class 4500.
• Cryogenic Testing Cryogenic testing services at temperatures from ambient to -324°F using liquid nitrogen and helium mass spectrometry for leakage measurements. Tests valves intended for LNG, liquid nitrogen, and cryogenic fluid service in a dedicated in-house chamber with high-pressure cryogenic test bunker.
• Fugitive Emissions Testing Fugitive emissions testing per API 622, API 624, API 641, and ISO 15848 standards. Detects and quantifies unintended gas or vapor leaks from pressurized valves to support EPA Subpart OOOOa and OOOOb regulatory compliance for LNG and process facilities.
• API RP 591 Evaluation Process valve qualification procedure testing evaluating valve manufacturer capabilities for inclusion on acceptable manufacturers lists (AML). Includes pressure testing, visual and dimensional inspection, radiography, chemical analysis, and hardness tests.
• Type Testing Comprehensive valve testing at operating pressure and temperature ranges, including extreme temperatures from cryogenic to over 1000°F, to validate design performance and obtain certifications.
• Valve Failure Analysis Root cause analysis services for failed valves using in-house NDE equipment and pressure testing machines, supplemented by external metallurgical consultants for comprehensive forensic analysis.
• Radiography In-house X-ray radiography facility for inspecting castings and critical welds using 450 kV equipment capable of handling valve wall thicknesses up to three inches, producing ASTM reference radiographs. Operated by Level II radiographic personnel with nearly 30 years of experience.
• Magnetic Particle Testing Non-destructive evaluation using magnetic particle testing to detect surface and sub-surface discontinuities on magnetic materials including surface cracks and hot tears in valve components.
• Dye Penetrant Testing Surface discontinuity detection for non-magnetic materials including 300 Series stainless steels and Monel alloys. Accurate method for exposing pits and cracks in valve components.
• Positive Material Identification (PMI) Material verification using XRF analyzers to confirm pressure-containing materials match specifications, maintaining material traceability per API RP578 and MSS SP137 standards.
• Hardness Testing Brinell and Rockwell hardness testing for material suitability assessment following welding and post-weld heat treatment, including NACE MR-01-75 compliance for sour service.
• Burst Testing Destructive testing procedure to determine maximum pressure a valve can withstand before failure, validating design calculations and ensuring product safety.
• Welding Services Comprehensive welding including overlay with Stellite, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, and Ultimet. Offers TIG, MIG, SMAW, hot-wire TIG, and submerged arc welding with in-house PWHT furnaces and 300+ qualified welding procedures.
• Parts Manufacturing CNC and manual machining for manufacturing valve components including stems, seats, and discs. Equipment includes turning centers, vertical mills, horizontal machining centers, and a 20-foot swing vertical boring mill.
• Valve Actuation Services Sales and repair of electric and pneumatic actuators and motor-operated valves (MOV). Includes actuated valve packages, procurement of engineered valves, and MOV valve repair services.
• HP Power Plant Valve Services Exclusive North American partner for HP Valves (Netherlands), providing warranty and repair work for isolation valves, steam conditioning valves, and control valves used in power plants. Maintains stock of replacement parts and handles project sales.
• Field Service On-site valve repair including pressure seal valve repair, unit start-up monitoring, repacking, fugitive emissions upgrades, field-installed retrofits, and actuator repair and maintenance at customer sites.
• Delayed Coker Valve Repair Specialized refurbishment and modification of delayed coker valves including coker ball and rising-rotating stem plug design valves. Velan Level I approved service center with precision lapping and polishing for metal-seated ball valves through NPS 30.
• Large Diameter Valve Repair Repair and modification of large industrial valves up to 30 inches with 40-ton crane capacity and 37-foot hook height. Includes a 20-foot table vertical boring mill and 1200-ton capacity Porgetti horizontal test rack.

Quantifiable outcome

• Repair or modify large-diameter valves at approximately 40% of new build cost with weeks of turnaround versus months for OEM delivery
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

46 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• OMB ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership enabling factory-authorized valve repair and modification services. United Valve provides aftermarket support, repair, and modification services for OMB valve products.
• Cooper ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services on Cooper valve products.
• HP ValvesflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive North American partner for HP Valves (Netherlands), a prime supplier of high-quality power plant and general industrial valves. Provides warranty and repair work, maintains stock of replacement parts, and handles project sales for North American customers.
• VelanflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVelan Level I approved modification and repair facility since 1991, and the only Velan Level I approved service center on the Texas Gulf Coast. Velan is the world's number one producer of delayed coker ball valves.
• AGI ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Garlock ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Apollo ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Aalberts IPS for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Beric ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• BlackhallcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Bonney ForgecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• ChestertoncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• CranecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Crane CPE for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• CVS ControlscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• DFT ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• DSI (ValvSource)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Flowserve EdwardscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Flowserve for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• FB ValvecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Flowserve for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• FluorosealcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Hobbs ValvecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• ISV (International Steel Valves)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• KitzcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• KosocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Ladish ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• NewaycoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Orion ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• PHONIX ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Curtiss Wright for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• PillarcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Powell ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• QuadaxcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• RaimondicoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership through Emerson for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• SepcocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Shaw ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• SWIcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Tomoe ValvecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• ValvitaliacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• ValvosidercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• WalworthcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Warren ValvescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Williams ValvecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• XANIKcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• ZwickcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• V-AXXcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM authorization partnership for factory-authorized repair and modification services.
• Valve Repair Council (VRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization of the Valve Manufacturers Association. United Valve has been a proud and active member for more than ten years. Employees have served on the board of directors, as vice-chairman, and as chairman of the organization (1999-2001 Chairman, 2002-present Board Member).
• Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents interests of nearly 100 North American manufacturers of valves and actuators. United Valve leadership has been active in VMA education and training program since its inception in 2011. Current board member (2023-present ex-officio).
• American Petroleum Institute (API)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participant in API sub-committee on Piping and Valves Standards activities since 1990. Company representatives have served on countless API committees helping to create and update valve standards. API Work Group Member (1996-present).
• Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member since 1997. Representatives have served on committees and served as president of the organization. Key contributor to MSS SP-141, 'Multi-turn and Check Valve Modification' published in 2012, which was based on many United Valve modification procedures.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Flowserve Corporation: Global flow control OEM with extensive aftermarket service network for pumps, valves, and seals across oil & gas, power, and chemical markets. Comparable to United Valve because it provides factory-authorized valve service through its own Quick Response Centers and competes for the same refinery and LNG service work, albeit as a much larger vertically integrated OEM plus service organization.
• Crane Co. (Crane CPE): Industrial valve OEM (Crane Process Flow Technologies) with global aftermarket service capabilities serving oil & gas, chemical, and power. Comparable to United Valve because Crane is both an OEM partner (authorization) and a competitor for severe service valve repair and modification work across the Gulf Coast refining and petrochemical customer base.
• Sulzer Ltd. Swiss-headquartered industrial services and engineered equipment provider with rotating equipment service centers, valve repair, and aftermarket support across oil & gas, power, and chemical markets. Comparable to United Valve because Sulzer competes for refinery and petrochemical aftermarket service work and operates capital-intensive in-house machining, welding, and testing capabilities similar in structure (though broader scope).
• Emerson (Fisher Valves & Services): Industrial automation conglomerate with Fisher control valves, regulator products, and a global service organization serving refining, petrochemical, and LNG. Comparable to United Valve because Emerson competes for the same control valve and severe service valve repair/modification work through its own service network and valves are also represented in United Valve's OEM authorization list (e.g., Raimondi).
• IMI plc (IMI Critical Engineering): British-headquartered engineering group with a critical engineering division specializing in severe service valves, actuation, and aftermarket services for power, oil & gas, and petrochemical. Comparable to United Valve because IMI competes for severe service valve aftermarket work on the same customer base (refineries, LNG, power plants) and offers similar modification, testing, and field service capabilities globally.

Direct peers

• Velan Inc. Severe service valve OEM and the world's leading producer of delayed coker ball valves, the exact niche where United Valve holds Velan Level I service center status. Directly comparable because Velan and United Valve jointly serve the same refinery delayed coker valve aftermarket, with Velan supplying new valves and UV providing authorized repair, modification, and testing.
• Mogas Industries: Specialty severe service valve manufacturer focused on high-temperature, high-pressure, and abrasive service applications for refining, petrochemical, and power. Comparable to United Valve because Mogas sells into the same delayed coker, hydrocracker, and severe service valve segments where UV provides repair, modification, and testing for the installed base.
• Team Inc. Provider of specialty industrial services including inspection, heat treating, mechanical services, and valve repair for the refining, petrochemical, and power industries. Comparable to United Valve because Team's mechanical services and valve offering target the same Gulf Coast refining and petrochemical customer base with on-site and shop-based repair execution.

Others

• Curtiss-Wright Corporation (PHONIX Valves): Diversified defense and industrial manufacturer whose PHONIX Valves business is an OEM partner of United Valve. Listed as a peer because Curtiss-Wright/PHONIX is both a supplier relationship and a potential competitor for industrial valve aftermarket services in the Gulf Coast, and PHONIX severe service valves overlap with UV's repair and modification scope.

Regional players

• Kitz Corporation: Japan-headquartered industrial valve manufacturer with global service presence and an OEM authorization relationship with United Valve. Listed as a peer because Kitz produces severe service valves for oil & gas and power and provides aftermarket services in Asia-Pacific, overlapping with United Valve's product scope if not its primary Gulf Coast geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/United_valve
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheUnitedvalve
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100088671236540
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-valve
• Instagraminstagram.com/united_valve

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Valve