Combining quality and reliability Effebi

COMBINING QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

From brass ball valves and fittings for residential plumbing systems up to special steel products for advanced industrial sectors: this is the evolution of Effebi, a company based in Brescia and now in its 45th year of operations. Daniele Garavaglia reports.

Established in 1971 by original president Fausto Bonomi and since then entrusted to family governance, Effebi has carved out a significant market share in a highly competitive sector. With a turnover of €67 million in 2015 and 100 employees, the company has reached its present position by focusing on three key areas: customer satisfaction; strong attention to investments in research and technological innovation; and attention to the quality and reliability of its products.

“We were one of the first companies in Italy to manufacture ball valves for domestic plumbing systems: today we are among the leaders in the design and production of brass and steel valves for industrial and especially plumbing purposes,” explains sales director Roberto Bonomi.

“After strengthening our technical know-how in the field of brass valves and fittings, products mainly intended for traditional plumbing and heating systems (distribution of water, gas, compressed air and non-aggressive fluids) in residential contexts, we began to expand in the main fields of industrial plant engineering. We have set up a technical sales department dedicated to the steel market which has enabled us to launch a wide range of increasingly innovative and reliable shut-off and control valves,” he adds.

Continuous growth

The industrial valve division has experienced gradual and steady development in recent years, based on the know-how and manufacturing excellence of Binox, Effebi’s sister company which produces steel valves for the most diverse applications. These are commissioned by the manufacturers of systems for production sectors such as: oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical, marine, pharmaceutical and so on.

One of Effebi’s key strengths is its fully integrated supply chain, which is based on long-lasting partnerships with trusted suppliers and the careful choice of raw materials and components.

The brass it uses is entirely produced in Italy and processed by the other sister company Pressytal. Components such as levers and gaskets are also supplied by historical and tested producers, based in northern Italy, where a high-quality and highly specialised manufacturing sector has long flourished. Relying on strict quality control and certifications, Effebi has been able to make a name for itself in the Italian and international markets as a reliable supplier and as an industry benchmark. Major markets

“Our target is still the domestic market, because we sell 40 per cent of our production in Italy. But we have a significant presence in all major European markets, Russia and the United States, where we work mainly with a network of trusted wholesalers. In the years to come, our target is to strengthen our presence in mature markets and open new commercial horizons in emerging markets, where innovation plays a major role,” emphasises Bonomi.

“In addition to upgrading our entire management software, Effebi continues to invest in cutting-edge technological solutions, with the introduction of new machines every year. For us it is vital to foster

Stainless steel ball valve, special application

Effebi main production plant

Effebi logistic centre Hot stamping and Production plant for steel valves

an environment of constant innovation of processes and products, which enhances security and reliability for the end user.”

In order to ensure excellent product performance, Effebi has an internal specialised laboratory that carries out tests such as cyclic stress tests with controlled pressure, temperature and humidity in climatic chambers, cyclic endurance or burst testing, pneumatic or hydraulic tests up to 300 bar and several other measurements. Additional tests like the corrosion proof in salt spray are carried out in external labs.

The upgrade of the production system goes hand in hand with product innovation. At the recent Mostra Convegno Expocomfort in Milan, the company presented some novelties for the plumbing and plant engineering industries: a patented ball valve, integrated with a high-KV full bore check valve, with the advantage of a small footprint and quick installation; new vertical manual and automatic three-way valves; an innovative insulating control device for insulated heating and air conditioning systems; and a series of rapid joint fittings for iron pipes (and PE) with patented system. n

1 PLUMBING AND HEATING SYSTEMS Effebi offers a vast range of valves for use in heating systems and sanitary and drinking water supply systems. Full-bore valves ensure that the fluid does not come into contact with nickel, in accordance with the latest European regulations on water supply systems. The company has obtained numerous certifications for the use of its products in contact with drinking water, both in Italy and abroad.

2 GAS FOR CIVIL AND INDUSTRIAL USE The range of applications in the supply of gas covers household appliances, with brass valves and fittings for pipes and gas meters, more technical applications with flanged or threaded couplings made of carbon steel and 304 and 316 stainless steels. Available in sizes DN 10 to DN 200, with pressure ranging from vacuum up to 210 bar.

3 FITTINGS Complete series of fittings for use with iron, stainless steel, copper, PE and PEX pipes are available with threaded, press, compression or push-in fittings. Patented solutions have been developed for quick, secure connections that facilitate the job of plumbers.

4 INDUSTRIAL VALVES The range is complete and has obtained international certifications. The component parts are entirely Made in Italy, which is a guarantee of superior quality and flexibility of service. They are mainly used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, marine, food and the medical industry and in water and gas distribution systems.

5 BUTTERFLY VALVES Mainly used in large water supply installations, and in the crude oil and gas sectors, these valves are available with a control lever, manual gear box or motor. Sizes range from DN40 to DN 600. The valve body, locking discs and gasket seats are made from different materials.

6 ACTUATED VALVES All our industrial valves, butterfly valves and brass valves for electric or pneumatic actuation can be provided with open/close remote control. A wide selection of accessories and spare parts is also available.

7 SPECIAL VALVES New technical solutions are designed and developed on request, in collaboration with our customers, the aim being to meet specific requirements and applications.