K Controls Company Profile

Since 1995 K Controls has specialised in the design and manufacture of networking, monitoring and control equipment for valves, actuators and dampers.

K Controls is celebrating 30 years in business. The company was established in 1981 by associate valve distributor Ivco Process Valves (IPV) following the acquisition of the industrial control valve business of Drayton Controls.

K Controls manufactured the products in West London and all sales and marketing activities were carried out by IPV. This continued until 1987 when Ivco Process Valves was acquired by the BSS Group PLC. Since that time K Controls has continued to operate as a private independent business that ceased the manufacture of control valves in 1995 and now specialises in the design and manufacture of networking, monitoring and control equipment for valves, actuators and dampers.
The two long serving Directors are Brian Prince (formerly Technical Director of Worcester Controls, now part of Flowserve) and David Yates (formerly Managing Director of Ivco Process Valves; a UK national valve distributor that was started by George Yates in 1966).

The first 007 Switchbox (the project number was “008” but “007” was thought to be more memorable!) was developed specifically for use with the Norbro 37 Series actuator. However at that time there we not many well engineered “switchboxes” on the market and this, together with the introduction of standardised dimensions for actuator top works, gave K Controls the opportunity to market the product for use on a wide range of quarter turn actuators from other manufacturers.

The process of application engineering and incremental innovation since 1995 has resulted in an extensive range of products that includes:

_ Switchboxes with corrosion resistant enclosures
_ ATEX and IECEx certified products for use with
hazardous gasses and combustible dusts
_ Switchboxes with high (+300 deg C) temperature
capability for fire and smoke dampers
_ Switchboxes with low (-50 deg C) temperature
capability for Arctic service
_ Switchboxes IP68 for submersion
_ Versions with integral solenoid for parallel wiring
or connection via remote I/O systems
_ Integrated fieldbus compatible versions for ASinterface
® or DeviceNet™
_ Fieldbus compatible versions for PROFIBUS® PA
or FOUNDATION™ FIELDBUS via valve couplers
_ Position transmitters for 4-20mA, HART®,
PROFIBUS® PA or FOUNDATION™ FIELDBUS
_ Linear or rotary solutions
_ Wireless solutions

The demand for automation in process plants continues to grow, the cost of labour is high and clients are continuously improving product quality and process efficiency. Equipment used in hazardous areas must meet increasingly exacting safety standards and be produced consistently using procedures laid down in ISO 9000 and industry specific quality plans. Customers expect products to be customised to their requirements and available on ever shorter lead times.

K Controls has been ideally placed to adapt to these trends. It has a good knowledge of the valve and actuator industry and also keeps close to the latest developments in front end control and associated interfacing equipment including “fieldbus” and “functional safety systems”. It has a mixture of mechanical and electronic expertise and understands how to protect equipment for use in hazardous areas. The company has developed robust communication, administration, production and quality systems which enable it to react quickly and appropriately to customer demand. An integral part of the company's vision is a commitment to provide a first class working environment in which individual development flourishes and personal aspirations are realised. A world class team clearly focused on providing world class service to customers is essential for K Controls future success.

The company has ISO 9001:2008 approval and a Baseefa Ltd ATEX and IECEx Quality Notification for the manufacture of certified Exe, Exd and Exi equipment for use in potentially explosive areas. Where appropriate individual products are ATEX and IECEx certified and CE marked. The company are planning to obtain US and Canadian approvals for its products during 2011. Following successful third-party evaluation, K Controls can also offer products for both Low and High Demand scenario applications at SIL2 or SIL3 of IEC 61508.

K Controls has also developed two valves for specialised applications: The K44 “Checktite” three piece swing check valve has been designed to complement three piece ball valves and is used on chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical process lines as well as gas, oil and water applications. The Z Series stainless steel butterfly valve is for high temperature automotive exhaust gas applications and is frequently used to regulate the back pressure of exhaust gases during engine testing.

Main markets are chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, oil and gas, sub-sea, automotive test, fire protection and nuclear. In 2010 50% of the company’s output was exported.

In summary, the ability to offer sound advice together with safe and reliable products enables valve and actuator suppliers to trust part of their business to K Controls that often lies beyond their core competencies. Service is enhanced via rapid response times to enquiries and an ability to quickly adapt products to meet client’s specific needs.

K Controls Ltd, Tel: 01895 449601
Website: www.k-controls.co.uk

Published: 31st March 2011