Valve Manufacturing

Emerson Communicating with White House Over COVID-19 Response

Emerson is providing valves to Ford and GE "for the 50,000 respirators they plan to make at a Michigan auto plant. Emerson’s Aiken, South Carolina, factory shifted resources from other products to make more respirator valves."

Emerson CEO David Farr tells The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that "he’s been in daily contact with the White House’s coronavirus task force and with leading medical equipment manufacturers. He has even offered to let the government take over some Emerson facilities if necessary."

Richards Industrials Providing Valves for Ventilator Testing Machines

Recently a major car company in Michigan, which has begun making ventilators, contacted Richards Industrials about providing valves for their testing machines.

“Since creating the ventilator testing valves, Richards Industrials has expanded its offerings for urgent COVID-19 related needs, especially its pharmaceutical-grade products that can be used for vaccine testing and creation,” WVXU reports.

"We've already had two major pharma companies - I'm hesitant to use their names because I don't have clearance from them to use their names but you'd know them if I said them - that have already come to us to say 'I need three of this and two of that. Can you do it fast?' I think that will continue for the medium term," said Charles Page, North American sales manager and business development manager for Richards Industrials.

Victaulic Names Rick Bucher President

Victaulic has appointed Rick Bucher to the position of president and COO, effective immediately. Bucher will continue reporting to John F. Malloy who has served as chairman, president & CEO for the past 16 years. Malloy will remain chairman and CEO.

Bucher began his career with Victaulic in 2009 as vice president, product development, and rose to the position of executive vice president, technology & product development. In June 2019, he was named COO. Bucher joined Victaulic after spending 14 years at W.L. Gore, where he worked in industrial and medical sectors.

Emerson Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

Emerson Automation Solutions net sales decreased 10%, with underlying sales down 8% excluding unfavorable currency of 2% and no impact from acquisitions. In the Americas, underlying sales were down 11%, with the United States down 12% reflecting a broad-based drop in demand. Europe underlying sales were down 3%, while Asia, Middle East & Africa underlying sales dropped 6%, driven by sharp declines in China of over 20%.

MRC Global Announces First Quarter 2020 Results

MRC Global sales were $794 million for the first quarter of 2020, which was 4% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019 and 18% lower than the first quarter of 2019. The sequential increase was driven primarily by the U.S. gas utilities sector, which was up $21 million. As compared to the first quarter of 2019, the decrease was across all sectors and segments as the impact of lower commodity prices led to reduced customer spending.