FEATURED ONLINE ARTICLE
2013 Technical Seminar Highlights Change and Challenge
While technological advances, like those developed for the fracing industry, have made possible many processes previously thought near impossible, there is still much work to be done by valve, actuator and control manufacturers and their suppliers to meet the continually changing needs of industry. Many of these technical challenges and developments were covered during VMA’s March 2013 Technical Seminar, as were comprehensive analyses of the trends, technologies and influences affecting America’s power industry. MORE
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VMA MEMBERS
Flowserve Announces $9M Valve Order from Nickel Processing Plant
Flowserve Corporation this week announced that it has received orders totaling more than $9M for a range of valves serving a new nickel ore processing facility located in Long Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada. Flowserve is a preferred supplier for the Canadian mining company. MORE
Curtiss-Wright Completes Acquisition of Germany’s Phönix Group MORE
Kennametal’s Cardoso Named to U.S. Manufacturing Council MORE

END USERS
Skilled Labor Shortage, Safety Concerns Raising Oil & Gas Industry Salaries
Warnings that oil industry safety standards are being jeopardized by a shortage of experienced staff are supported by a new survey from OilCareers.com and Air Energi. The lack of skilled trainers was identified as a major training issue by over 20%. The report confirms that heightened safety concerns due to economic instability combined with a continuing strong oil price and the on-going skills shortage, particularly in the LNG and subsea sectors, will continue to push oil related salaries upwards. MORE
Unconventional Gas Growth Led by Water Treatment Technology MORE
Williams, Boardwalk Building U.S. Shale NGL Pipeline MORE
NRC: U.S. Nuclear Plants Safer Post-Fukushima MORE
MANUFACTURING & THE ECONOMY
Manufacturing Rebound Spurs Rise in Industrial Output
Industrial production increased 0.7% in February after having been unchanged in January, the Federal Reserve reports. Manufacturing output rose 0.8% in February, and the index revised up for the previous two months. Capacity utilization for manufacturing moved up 0.5% in February to 78.3%, a rate 0.5% below its long-run average. MORE
Skilled Workers Once Again in Demand This Year MORE
House Committee Seeks to Simplify Tax Code for Small Businesses MORE
January U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Off 12.2% from 2012 MORE
SPONSORED PRODUCT
ASCO Offers Composite Solenoid Valves. The new 212 Series of composite solenoid valves incorporates the new FasN™ universal connection system and is designed specifically for water purification and conditioning systems in commercial and industrial applications. MORE
VALVE MAGAZINE
Valve Repair Event Shows Depth of Today's Issues
Repair and maintenance is one of the most critical areas of today’s valve world and attendees at the Valve Repair Council’s Valve Repair Meeting last fall found out why. From the value of RFID tagging to the latest proposed standards, speakers brought their audiences up to date while vendors to the industry showed the latest in products and services that can keep this nation’s facilities in shape. MORE
Coming in the spring issue of VALVE Magazine…
The Breadth of Plastic Valves
Valves made out of thermoplastic materials have the ability to resist corrosion, chemicals and abrasions, can be used in places where weight is critical to the application or where top sterility is needed, have long life expectancy and in many cases are easy to install. It’s no wonder, then, that designers are coming up with all sorts of new plastic valves for use in the water industry, metal and chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical operations, power plants and much more.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Valve Shipments to Grow 3% in 2013
Shipments for the U.S. industrial valve industry will grow 3% in 2013, increasing to nearly $4.3 billion, according to figures released by the Valve Manufacturers Association as part of its annual market forecast. The increase marks the fourth consecutive year of growth following the recession, and exceeds the industry’s previous 10-year peak in 2008. MORE
Registration Now Open for 101 Course at Valve World Americas
Industry newcomers and others looking for a refresher on valve and actuator fundamentals can now register for a one-day Valves & Actuators 101 course in either Orlando or Houston. The program at Valve World Americas offers the VMA-presented course on Monday, June 24, 9 am to 5 pm ($450), the day before the June 25-26 expo and conference at Houston’s Brown Convention Center. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and may attend the exposition at no charge.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is also offering the 101 course on May 21, 9 am to 5 pm, as part of its professional development series, to be held prior to the opening of AFPM’s Reliability & Maintenance conference in Orlando, May 22-24. The fee is $450 and also includes an invitation to the exhibit hall, as well as a certificate of completion.
Registration for VMA’s own two-day Valves & Actuators 101 course—including the “Valve Petting Zoo”—Nov. 6-7 in New Orleans, will open by May 1. Watch VMA.org for details.
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