This July the KSB Group bought the Italian valves service operation Velmec Srl. With the take-over KSB Service has strengthened its position in Italy, with a particular emphasis on valve repair work. Velmec Srl has two sites near Venice and Rome as well as one on Sardinia. KSB has also founded a new service company on Gran Canaria. The Atlantic Pump & Valve Service SL started operations on 1 August, offering all-round servicing for pumps, valves and related products. The firm is based in Las Palmas. As a result of these initiatives, KSB now owns over 65 service operations throughout Europe.