Oliver Valves, a global supplier of valves and equipment to oil and gas businesses, has invested £750,000 in a new 5,000-sq-ft distribution centre at its Knutsford headquarters to streamline its logistics following a period of rapid growth.
The business now ships more than 300,000 valves per year to customers around the world and storing products in preparation for distribution or collection had become a significant challenge. The investment follows a period of record results for the company which saw sales grow to £65.5 million for the financial year ended 30 September 2012. The company is now targeting turnover of £100 million within the next 12 to 18 months.
Colm Kane, operations director at Oliver Valves, said: “The investment will take all logistical concerns away from our production teams – allowing them to focus on what they do best – and also free up vital operational space across our three businesses which had previously been used for temporary storage. “This space can now be re-purposed for additional manufacturing capacity, which will be essential as we continue to expand. “This is a significant step in the on-going development of the Oliver Valves family of companies, and we are confident it will lead to a substantial increase in productivity and efficiency.”
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 has recently opened a new R&D facility dedicated to product development and improvement.
