Adanac - 25 years and still going strong!

Adanac co-founder Michael Ball reflects on the last 25 years. From humble beginnings to global supply

Adanac commenced trading nearly 25 years ago on Dec 1st 1986, formed by Michael and Susan Ball following their return from Canada, with some initial assistance from Susan’s father, the late Derek Ogden. The main focus of the company was to provide valve users and distributors with a quality source for non-standard or modified valves.

The first premises had been an 1100sq ft workshop with office facility in Bury St Edmunds. A range of suitable machinery was purchased and “metal cutting” commenced about 10 days later. Workshop staff had consisted Michael doing the machining, fitting and welding as well as administrative tasks and Susan manning the phones, doing the books and carrying out hydro-testing, eventually we got heat in the workshop!

As business progressed we further expanded our team, including our Engineering Director Neil West, who joined the company in June 1988, as well as Andrew Gillespy (Chief Test Specialist) and Richard Sharpe (Production Manager) who are still with us today.

As time went on the business thrived, receiving more orders, which required more staff and machinery. Expansion led to a move (across the street) to Unit 11, a palatial 3000sqft workshop with second floor offices where we stayed for approximately 3 years; until we quickly ran out of space again.

A lack of suitable property to rent or buy in Bury St. Edmunds sent us looking elsewhere. We moved to our current 10,000 sq ft factory at Woolpit Business Park, built to our requirements and latterly facilitated a fabrication and welding shop, mezzanine floor for stock and component storage and the dedicated ATaCS high pressure gas and low temperature test area. Staffing is currently in the low twenties with a wide range of workshop and engineering skills available in a comprehensive manufacturing facility supported by QA and design functions and an efficient general office and sales team. Adanac now actively seek motivated school leavers to join our staff by operating an apprenticeship scheme. This scheme, coupled with our continued commitment to training, ensures Adanac are at the forefront of industry developments and engineering techniques.

Over the years, Adanac’s range of products and services has gradually increased. After initially focusing on modest modification and machining, we have progressed to the advanced engineering techniques involved in our cryogenic conversions, cryogenic testing and valve jacketing services currently offered.

From our initial humble beginnings we are now recognised throughout the oil, gas and petrochemical industries as the specialist modification shop of choice and have close working relationships with many major worldwide valve manufacturers including Flowserve, Kitz, Velan, OMB, Conbraco and Tyco. Our current client portfolio consists of a number of global blue chip organisations such as Air Products, BOC, National Grid, Shell, Ineos and British Sugar and further highlights Adanac’s reputation for quality and service within the industry.

Adanac continues to grow and in February 2011 we opened our Midlands Sales office in Cannock, Staffordshire. The central location enables our external sales team to maintain contact with our customers within the UK and Worldwide.

We look forward to the next 25 years with eager anticipation!

Adanac Valve Specialities Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1543 578738
Website: www.adanac.co.uk

Published: 7th July 2011