butterfly valves with all the relevant approvals in place. These were available in sizes ranging from 50mm to 1,400mm. Following strong growth since its acquisition by AVK, the company needed to expand its manufacturing capabilities and in 2008 extended its existing state-of-the-art facilities by a further 3,500 square metres. Today the AVK Group is represented in over 80 countries worldwide and employs more than 3,000 people, of which over 250 are located at the Wouter Witzel EuroValve plant in Losser.
Continuous innovation and improvement All Wouter Witzel EuroValve products meet the most stringent international quality requirements and are extremely durable. The company is active in seven key markets which range from oil & gas and desalination
to shipbuilding and construction. In addition, the company is also active in the water treatment, district cooling and power station industries. Each market segment is treated as a separate entity and products are designed to meet their individual, specific requirements. The company’s highly qualified engineering consultants specialise in each of their individual segments and have knowledge of many applications, processes and developments in their diverse areas of expertise. This clear and targeted focus allows the company to optimise its services and product knowledge, which is unparalleled in the industry. Luttikhuis said, “Traditionally we started with shipbuilding and water treatment valves and are now involved in seven distinct market areas. Our greatest opportunities for growth today are in the oil & gas and industrial sectors
where there is strong growth globally. Our route to market is different in each country and like our products we meet clearly defined needs and objectives in each sector. Today more than 90 per cent of our production is for export markets. Since being under the umbrella of the AVK Group, we have been able to leverage our sales activities through their extensive global offices, agents and partners. This is particularly advantageous in our important water, marine, oil & gas, chemical and power sectors. Our customer base is extensive and incorporates the world’s leading shipyards, oil & gas companies and international water treatment companies. “Our product offering is second to none and our unique vulcanisation process means that our valve liners are permanently fixed to the valve body, which offers sig-
