Once upon a time, walking through a paper mill was like wading through rotten eggs. It was the smell of sulfur leaks, and these emissions were clearly discernible. There isn’t a perceptible smell that identifies emissions leaking into the atmosphere, but industries became keenly aware that cleaning the air and reducing pollutants in the atmosphere are imperative.
Best practices and efforts to reduce – and even prevent – fugitive emissions continue to develop, but A-T Controls, Inc., has maintained its pledge to offer quality and responsible products that adhere strictly to the highest standards. What follows is a discourse on the company’s direction and how A-T Controls’ staunch loyalty to its customers serves as the foundation for its progressive strategies.
By KCI Editorial
Valve standards have evolved considerably over the years; however, A-T Controls has managed to pivot and shift in response to changing regulations and customers’ changing requirements.
TA-Luft standards allowed some leakage, but the adoption of API and ISO requirements significantly reduced allowable emissions. Where TA-Luft focuses more on environmental air quality, API focuses more on the needs of the oil & gas industry. ISO is an international standard that necessitates more stringent testing. This brief overview of the evolution of standards in the flow control industry reflects A-T Controls’ continued success in meeting and exceeding increasingly stringent requirements.
A-T Controls was ready when specifications became more rigorous. The introduction of stricter standards prompted the requirement for fugitive emissions bonnets, which comprise a double set of packing, bellow seals, and much more for industries where rotary valves are integral to their operations. To support the demand for fugitive emission bonnets, A-T Controls created an additional containment feature that prevented gases from leaking into the atmosphere.
The company knew it needed to design something that would work for its clients. When valve specifications became more stringent, the company’s clients began requesting more fire-safe valve packing, and graphite was used.
Integrating Standards with Customer Needs
A-T Controls is well positioned to meet project and regulatory requirements in the lines that they engineer. With fully integrated capabilities to certify products to API 641, ISO 15848-1, and ISO 15848-2, A-T Controls can adeptly offer optimal product reliability and meet fugitive-emissions standards.
The company’s Cincinnati, Ohio, facility provides ISO 15848-2 testing. To support quality assurance, each valve receives a tag identifier indicating it has been tested.
ISO 15848-2 is typically a customer-driven specification. These requests can be a proactive decision made by the facility, or they could be a reactive decision. Chemical plants often require ISO 15848-2 certification since they work with severe substances.
A-T Controls’ wide range of products, including the F88 Series, the F90 Series, the FD9 Series, F9R Series, and TS2/TS3 Series valves, have the most up-to-date ISO 15848-1 and API 641 certifications to meet the needs of any customer application.
Legacy Solutions and Expansion into New Markets
A-T Controls has been a leading innovator in the flow control sector since 1994, initially supplying high-performance automated valves, actuation solutions, and quarter-turn valve accessories. By 1997, the company diversified its capabilities, designing and manufacturing a valve line engineered for reliability, efficiency, and seamless system integration.
Operating for more than three decades, A-T Controls continues to reach the global flow control market with its expert service and diverse portfolio to include high-performing process valves, actuators, and accessories. Both the company’s Stafford, Texas, and Cincinnati, Ohio, locations offer advanced manufacturing and service facilities to a variety of industries. It has also made significant investments in its Stafford, Texas, location to increase its presence on the Gulf Coast and position itself for long-term growth.
The company continues to expand its product offerings but remains committed to one of its strengths — providing industry-leading actuation and quarter-turn valve solutions that drive efficiency and long-term value for its distributors and end users.
Included in its current product portfolio is a range of high-performance ball, butterfly, flanged, and three-way valves, along with a full scope of automated and pneumatic rack and pinion actuators in its Triac® line. Both its valve and actuator lines are supported by precision-engineered mounting kits and a complete line of accessories. These include filter regulators, proximity sensors, positioners, and custom valve-mounting hardware.
Benjamin Davis, Vice President – Manufactured Products for A-T Controls, explained that the company aims to further expand its footprint in additional key growth sectors, including food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as downstream refining and the chemical markets.
“Where we are really unique in the market is our ability to offer distributors and end users full packages,” said Davis. “We are consistently rationalizing our offerings and simplifying our lines through product development. We are also working on valves that can reach additional markets.”
Designed to ISO 5211, it provides a number of significant benefits, including blowout proof stems and the ability to meet fire-safe API 607 standards. While the three-piece TS3 is forged and available from 2” to 48” (ANSI Class 150/300/600/900/1500/2500), the TSW has a welded, forged body, and is available in sizes from 2” to 36” (ANSI Class 150/300/600).
“These trunnion valves are used around the world in various pipeline applications,” said Davis. “We have a complete line when it comes to sizing and a robust inventory.”
The Future Belongs to Its Customers
The company’s ardent dedication to its customers is reflected in its emphasis on maintaining relationships. Given the changing market conditions, A-T Controls has remained resolute in its execution of its “go to market” strategies.
“We have a very clear model with our distributors,” said Davis. “We can provide products in one to three days while it may take other companies two to three weeks. Our focus is on service and relationships, which isn’t something we claim; it’s validated by our customers, partners, and distributors who consistently attest to the reliability and responsiveness that we provide. That’s why A-T’s distributors remain loyal to the brand, and end users continue to purchase our products.”
A-T Controls’ hope for the future is to grow in areas driven by customers. The company knows it is most successful when it pays attention to its customers’ needs. It listens to what its customers want, makes product modifications, and creates new products to meet their needs. A-T Controls has been doing this from the very beginning and will continue to do so well into the future.
There are two kinds of company cultures: the leaders and the followers. A-T Controls is dedicated to being the leader; the other culture simply doesn’t exist.