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A black-and-white photo of a busy factory floor during the mid-20th century. Workers in lab coats are seen assembling and working on various mechanical parts at long, cluttered workbenches lined with tools and components under a well-lit industrial environment.

Our Heritage

Since our inception, Velan has evolved from a family-driven enterprise into a global powerhouse of industrial valve innovation. Our legacy of leadership is built on an unwavering commitment to excellence, and we have proudly set valve design and manufacturing benchmarks for over seven decades.

Abstract artwork featuring a blend of geometric shapes, muted colors, and futuristic elements. The image includes figures, machinery, and architectural components merging together, creating a complex, layered composition that suggests themes of technology and human progress.
OVERVIEW

A Legacy of High-Quality Valve Manufacturing

They say the best inventions start with a sudden flash of illumination. That’s exactly what happened when A.K. Velan first devised a novel steam trap a few months after he arrived in Canada in 1949 from Soviet-dominated Czechoslovakia.

That same innovative and entrepreneurial spirit continues to flourish today in a company that has a proven portfolio of top-quality valves installed in every nuclear power station worldwide.

This mural, commissioned for the front entrance staircase of the original Head Office in Plant 1, was commissioned by A.K. Velan and illustrates the transition from manual labour to a highly automated future.

Download Our Pictorial History
Black and white image of a factory workshop. Multiple workers, mostly men, are busy at large tables filled with mechanical parts. The space is lit with overhead fluorescent lights. Shelves and additional parts are visible in the background.

1949-1953

1949
Velan Universal steam trap is invented by the company’s founder, Mr. A.K. Velan, in Switzerland.

1950
Velan Engineering is established in Montréal, Canada.

1953
Velan receives a patent for bimetallic steam traps.

Black and white photo of a large industrial building with "VELAN" in large glowing letters on the roof. "Velan Engineering Ltd." is visible above the entrance. The building has numerous windows, with a set of stairs leading up to the front door. Power lines run overhead.

1954-1956

1954
First overseas manufacturing plant, Velan Engineering Co., Ltd., is built in the UK.

1956
Construction of the Head Office on Ward Avenue, in Montreal, Quebec.
First U.S. plant opens in Plattsburgh, New York.

A person wearing a lab coat and dark pants stands between two large industrial valves attached to a brick wall. They appear to be inspecting or operating the valve on the right, with one hand on the valve wheel and the other resting on part of the mechanism.

1958-1964

1958
The company supplies 8,500 new technology bellows seal valves to the Oak Ridge National Lab’s research reactor.

1961
Velan GmbH opens as a sales office in Germany.

A man in a suit with a pink tie stands with one foot raised on large metal equipment inside a factory; several workers can be seen in the background working on machinery and equipment amidst industrial surroundings.

1968-1974

1968
Second plant opens in Montreal.

1970
Velan becomes the first valve company to receive ASME “N” stamp for nuclear valves.

1974
Joint venture in France with Rateau to focus on nuclear industry.

Two men in dress shirts and ties stand next to a large industrial valve system. One man is pointing towards the top of the valve, which is connected to a blue actuator or motor and suspended by ropes. The setting appears to be an industrial facility with machinery.

1976-1980

1976
Fourth North American plant opens in Granby, Quebec.

1978
New U.S. plant is built in Williston, Vermont.

1980
Velan expands its distribution network in the U.S. with Vinson appointment.

A group of people work in an office space with large wooden desks covered in papers. One man stands and writes on a drafting table, while another sits nearby. A woman and another man are seen in the background working at their desks. The room has a professional atmosphere.

1982-1984

1982
Velan receives patent for the y-pattern bonnetless valve.

1984
New plant built in Montreal for large forged valves.
Velan launches the Memoryseal® ball valve with patented seats

A man in a white lab coat operates a large industrial milling machine in a factory. Nearby, several large cylindrical metal parts are placed on the floor. The factory has high ceilings and visible structural beams. The machine is labeled with "KEARNEY & TRECKER.

1988-1991

1988
First Korean manufacturing plant opens in Ansan City.

1989
Portuguese manufacturing plant opens in Lisbon.
Sereg in Lyon, France, is acquired by our French joint venture, GEC Alsthom-Velan.

1990
Total Quality Management (TQM) introduced.

1991
Velan obtains ISO 9001 certification.
New plant in Taiwan opens to produce small ball valves.

A worker in blue overalls operates a complex industrial machine with various buttons, knobs, and displays. The machine appears to be part of a larger assembly line in a factory setting. The worker is adjusting settings on the control panel.

1995-1997

1995
Velan is named one of Canada’s 50 best-managed private companies.

1996
Velan goes public (TSX).

1997
Proquip and Securamax are acquired.

A metalworking machine with a large circular component under processing. Multiple control panels with numerous buttons and dials are visible, and a bright light shines on the component, indicating active machining. The setting appears to be an industrial workshop.

1999-2000

1999
New Head Office and Plant 5 in Montreal opens.
Two companies are acquired in France: Adareg and Bouvier Darling.

2000
Velan celebrates its 50th anniversary
Alsthom acquires the remaining 50% of the joint venture becoming the sole owner of Velan SAS in France.

BP awards “environmentally friendly valve” status to Velan cast steel valves.

Velan launches Torqseal triple offset valves.

Second plant opened in Ansan City, South Korea.

An engineer in protective gear works on machinery inside a long, well-lit tunnel with pipes running along the walls and ceiling. Another person, blurry in motion, wears a jacket with "VELAN" on the back and a white hard hat while walking away from the machinery.

2003-2006

2003
Tom Velan becomes President of Velan.

2004
Launch of Total Process Improvement program (TPI)

2006
A.K. Velan is awarded first “Valve World Fellow” prize by Valve World.

Industrial valve in a factory sprayed with a frost-like substance, likely indicating operation in a cryogenic process. The valve, connected to a pipeline, is mounted on a metal structure. Background includes large cylindrical tanks and metal shutters.

2007-2009

2007
Controlling share of Segault, a French manufacturer of valves for the nuclear industry and navy, is acquired.

Velan opens its plant in China.

2008
Global financial crisis occurs. Sales decrease as orders are cancelled and projects delayed.

Sales more than doubled in four years.

2009
Montreal’s Plant 5 expanded.

A yellow industrial robotic arm equipped with a red welding machine is operating in a factory. The robotic arm is positioned near a large cylindrical component, emitting a bright blue light indicative of welding or cutting. The background shows a high-ceiling industrial space.

2010-2012

2010
Velan S.A.S. plant in Lyon, France, expanded.

2011
Largest acquisition to date occurs when Velan buys Italian company ABV, forming Velan ABV.

Velan France provides valves for Taishan I and II nuclear plants in China.

2012
New production plant, Velan Valves India is inaugurated in Coimbatore.

Bird's-eye view of an industrial manufacturing facility showcasing a row of large CNC machines. The setting features various machinery components, control panels, and safety railings. A yellow crane can be seen overhead, and some textiles are draped on the equipment.

2013-2018

2013
Velan surpasses $500 million in sales, selling more than 600,000 valves in 64 countries.

2017
Yves Leduc becomes President and CEO

2018
Velan North American operations introduces three Strategic Business Units (SBUs): MRO, Project, and Severe Service & Navy.

A modern building entrance with large blue-tinted windows and the number "7007" displayed prominently above the doors. The word "VELAN" is written at the top. There are two potted plants with red flowers on either side of the entrance walkway.

2020-2024

2020
Final phase of the V20 transformation program to optimize Velan’s global manufacturing footprint.

2021
Bruno Carbanaro is appointed as CEO of Velan.

2023
Velan appoints Chairman of the Board Jim Mannebach as interim CEO.

2024
Jim Mannebach is confirmed as CEO of Velan.

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