46 July 2025 Success Stories
EIC Survive & Thrive 2025
EIC Survive & Thrive IX
161 1
Success Stories July 2025
Story type #transformation (main category) #collaboration, #service & solutions
Specialist Valve Services Driving growth with a Total Valve Management strategy Gerry Henry
Alina Forbes
Managing Director
Sales & Operations Director
Benefits
▸ Continued growth and target to achieve revenue increase for 2025. ▸ Plans for international expansion and diversification to new sectors.
Key findings For young people
▸ Be ambitious, never be afraid to voice your own ideas/opinions.
For industry How is Specialist Valve Services thriving? By transforming its business model from a traditional valve merchant to a comprehensive Total Valve Management (TVM) provider, Specialist Valve Services Ltd (SVS) has successfully expanded its capabilities and market presence. This strategic shift, backed by significant self-investment in a state-of-the-art service centre, advanced testing facilities and digital management tools, has enabled the company to offer clients enhanced value through optimisation of valve assets, gap analysis, storage and specialised repair and testing services. The approach has yielded strong numbers, with revenues increasing by 30% between 2022 and 2024 with realistic profit margins maintained throughout the transition. The challenge – Founded in 1998 during a period when oil prices hovered around US$8-10 per barrel, SVS established itself as a specialist supplier of valves, actuators and ancillary equipment to the energy sector. For its first decade, the company operated primarily as a merchant, buying and selling equipment by project management services rather than providing extensive service support. By 2015, changing market dynamics began to impact the business model. The oil price crash forced operators to seek cost efficiencies, with many looking to refurbish existing valves rather than purchase new equipment. SVS responded by offering minor modifications and repairs, however upon reviewing valve management contract offerings it was found that in order to fulfil these to their full capacity, the current workshop facility was limiting factor. Client requirements were also evolving. While valve specifications often remained overengineered from the days of higher budgets, customers were increasingly focused on cost efficiency, optimisation of existing assets, and services that could deliver long-term value. This presented both a challenge and an opportunity for SVS to reposition itself in the market. The solution – In November 2022, after careful analysis, SVS made the decisive move to scale up its operations with the opening of a new service centre. This purpose-built facility dramatically expanded the company’s capabilities, featuring a 14,500 square foot
workshop, 9,200 square foot dedicated warehouse, and a 4,500 square foot secure external yard. With planning permission to expand further. The investment extended beyond physical space to include significant upgrades in equipment – five pressure test cells for pressure testing up to 30,000psi (compared to two previously), test tanks for submerged gas testing, and a dedicated pressure safety valve (PSV) test cell. The company also brought machining capabilities in-house with four new machines, including a horizontal borer, CNC lathe, CNC milling centre and radial arm drill, which has increased their self-sufficiency. Critically, the facility design reflects SVS’s understanding of client needs. It has addressed storage challenges with increased racking capacity and heavy-duty overhead cranes (20-tonne and 10-tonne) to handle larger equipment and also houses a Kardex machine for efficient management of customer spares and quicker turnaround during maintenance. Alongside the physical expansion, SVS has developed specialised software solutions with client experience in mind. A portal system now enables clients to gain instant access to their orders, repairs, modifications and key documents. In addition, the company has designed a dedicated PSV management tool with Power BI integration, enabling customers to track and plan maintenance for these safety-critical components. Another crucial cog of the transformation has involved investment in people. So far, the workforce has expanded from a handful of staff to a team of 34, with new valve technicians, document controllers, coordinators and quality personnel, and some additional members to the management team. The company also ramped up its commitment to upskilling staff, activity which has included apprentices and technical support staff going through further education to degree level. This comprehensive approach to Total Valve Management has shifted SVS from a transactional supplier to a strategic partner for clients. The company now offers gap analysis of valve inventories, recommends modifications to extend asset life, and provides complete management of valve maintenance schedules – delivering sustainability benefits by reducing
▸ Understand the support aspects of the industry – know the impact of the bigger decisions and the impact on the supply chain. Investment decisions and delays all impact the supply chain.
For government
▸ Discuss development support for O&G industry – this will allow investment, generate new jobs on a national basis as well as retaining existing ones.
Specialist Valve Services at a glance: Key products and services: valve services.
Main industries served:
▸ Oil and gas – 85% ▸ Energy storage – 5% ▸ Others (energy): biomass – 10% Headquarters: Aberdeen, UK Year established: 1998 Number of employees: 31 Revenue: £10m Revenue from exports: 18%
unnecessary scrapping of equipment. The expanded capabilities have attracted attention from previous and new clients, leading to re-engagement and new opportunities. Overall, SVS has seen a significant increase in enquiries for TVM contracts and expanded its client relationships beyond procurement teams to include maintenance and operations departments. With the new facility designed to allow for further expansion, SVS is now exploring international growth opportunities. The company is also investigating diversification into hydrogen, carbon capture, LNG and other renewable markets, where specialist valve knowledge is particularly valuable and key to future development Throughout this transformation, SVS has maintained its core principles of strong manufacturer relationships, transparent customer partnerships and technical expertise in valves. By listening to customer needs and leveraging its specialist knowledge to drive efficiencies, the company has positioned itself for continued growth, with a target of 20% revenue increase for 2025.