Metal Valve & Pipe Fitting Manufacturing Industry Profile

Companies in this industry manufacture metal industrial and fluid power valves, hose fittings, and pipe fittings. Major companies include units of integrated process control companies such as Curtiss-Wright, Flowserve, Parker Hannifin, and Pentair (all based in the US), as well as valve manufacturers such as Crane (US), IMI (UK), Kitz (Japan), KSB (Germany), Mueller Water Products (US), and Watts Water (US).

The global industrial valves market is valued at more than $50 billion. By 2015, the world market for industrial valves is expected to reach more than $70 billion, according to Global Industry Analysts. Top countries for valve production include China, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US.

The US metal valve and pipe fitting manufacturing industry consists of about 1,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion and is expected to grow at a moderate rate over the next two years. Leading growth drivers include rising international demand and increasing aftermarket support services.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand depends primarily on the level of manufacturing and construction activity. Construction activity in the chemical, petroleum, utilities, water treatment, and housing industries is especially important. Large companies have advantages in efficiency of operations and economies of scale. Offshore subsidiaries are frequently used for low-cost manufacturing. Smaller producers compete by focusing on specialized product offerings and superior customer service. The industry is concentrated: the largest 50 companies generate about 65 percent of revenue.

Metal valves ...