Designing a custom valve is only one step in the process. Once the design team or the engineers have the basic requirements for the component, the next step is in choosing the various components for the valve and also selecting the right company to manufacture the valve.
Not all valve manufacturers are the same. For example, there are some valve companies that specialize only in large scale industrial valves used in a range of different processing and production industries. There are also some companies that work with equipment that requires small, compact or even micro types of valves. Good examples of these types of valves can be found in dental equipment, small engines and even in use in refrigeration units and coolant systems in HVAC applications.
When ordering these parts from valve manufacturers, there are several important questions to ask. In getting answers for these issues, OEMs can avoid common issues that may delay orders.
Capacity for Production
A significant challenge for any OEM is in finding valve manufacturers with the ability to produce orders on a specific schedule and to required production levels. Some of the smaller providers offer top customer service and support, but they are not able to produce in volume, which is important for any OEM.
There are some large manufacturers in the USA that provide top customer service and also offer the capacity to fill large volume order requirements and to meet customer schedules. Finding providers with this capacity is a critical step for any company.
Industry Expertise
For highly specialized valves, look for manufacturers with experience in that industry. Some companies have extensive experience in providing valves for dental equipment, food and beverage processing, automotives, pressure washing equipment and even for agricultural and heavy duty equipment requirements.
