US-Based Valve Company Since 1918

A History of Our Industry

From simple stops to sophisticated controllers, our industry has experienced continuous innovation over the past 100 years, driven by the demands of a rapidly industrializing world.

In the early 1900’s, industrial valves were largely made of cast iron and bronze. At this time there were no standard forms and types, and every manufacturer built their valves a little differently. This need for standardization became clear as manufacturing boomed and the need for industrial valves grew. This was partly fueled by the demands of World War I, which required high production rates at a pace never seen before. It was at this time William E. Williams started up his new valve business here in Houston to support the growing US naval force. Industry-specific groups like the American Petroleum Institute (API) were also born in this era to ensure that parts from different companies could actually work together in any given plant or factory.

The interwar period and the decades that followed saw a significant shift in materials. Cast steel became the go-to for handling higher pressures and temperatures. This was crucial for advancements in power plants and chemical processing as the oil and gas industry was growing rapidly. Even Teflon was an exciting accidental discovery during this time, created by a chemist with DuPont who was experimenting with chlorofluorocarbons in 1938. This era also witnessed the refinement of existing older valve types like globe and gate valves, making them much more efficient and reliable.

The mid 20th century brought about new valve designs to tackle more diverse industrial needs. Innovative butterfly and ball valves offered quicker control with their quarter-turn operation. For more severe service applications, specialized valves began to emerge in the 1960s focused on high pressure and temperature environments. The development of new materials and sealing technologies allowed valves to handle increasingly corrosive and abrasive fluids. This included new metal alloys for valve bodies as well as elastomeric seals.

The late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed a significant leap in valve technology with the advent of automation. Electric and pneumatic actuators enabled remote operation and seamless integration into sophisticated process control systems, enhancing efficiency and flexibility. The digital revolution further propelled this evolution, introducing “smart” valves equipped with sensors and communication capabilities. These advancements allowed for real-time data acquisition, sophisticated diagnostics, and predictive maintenance strategies. This benefitted many industrial operations immensely as it has had a direct impact on production output by minimizing downtime and optimizing the lifespan and performance of critical valves. Williams Valve continues to be at the forefront of this innovation, providing reliable industrial and commercial valves to companies across the US in all types of industries.