Valve World Americas October 2024 | Page 2

SPOTLIGHT ON : YVI VALVE

YVI Valve : We Make Our Valves™ to Last

YVI ’ s legacy as a leading manufacturer of premium cast valves began in 1978 when Mr . Li Sr . started working in a valve factory specializing in high-temperature , high-pressure valves for the power industry . Over the next 20 years , Mr . Li Sr . learned the craft of making cast valves and rose to positions of production prominence until finally becoming Factory Manager . In 1998 , the Li family purchased the company and began their journey of manufacturing valves . Renowned for his manufacturing expertise , Mr . Li and his team began to manufacture commodity cast steel gate , globe , and check valves . Over the next decade , the Li family manufactured castings or complete valves for many well-known international valve manufacturers .
By Shopia Ketheeswararajah
The Legacy of YVI Valve
In 2009 , Harvey Li , a second-generation family member , joined the company . Driven by a vision to grow the family business globally , Harvey recognized the critical need to build an integrated manufacturing model with a focus on quality , counterintuitive in today ’ s market . The first step in this process was to acquire a state-of-theart foundry from a respected longstanding company in the Binhai area . By adding the foundry to the previously established factories , Harvey built an international sales team , securing major end user approvals , and set up distribution partnerships worldwide .
After 10 years of working in family-owned facilities , Harvey recognized the distinct differences and demands of domestic and international markets and the rigorous standards of global end users . To capitalize on the differences in market strategies , Harvey relocated to the United States and established YVI Valve in the Greater Houston Area , setting up its global headquarters .
Today , YVI is renowned for manufacturing
MARKETS
• Downstream & Energy Transition
o Refining
‐ Crude
- Renewable ( Bio-fuels , SAF , and more )
o Carbon Capture
o Hydrogen
o Petrochemical
o Chemical
o Power
o Industrial / Contractor
• Midstream
o Pipeline
o Terminals / Tank Yards
o Tank Battery
high-quality valves known for their reliability and predictability . The company culture has evolved with its growth , anchored in values of integrity , customer focus and engagement , quality , responsibility , and inclusion . Committed to its original mindset of maintaining control over its products from raw material receipt to finished goods , YVI proudly upholds its slogan : “ We Make Our Valves .”
“ A dedication to manufacturing quality products was instilled in me as a child while I watched my parents manufacture valves during the early years ,” stated Harvey . “ As one of the original valve manufacturers in China , I am very proud of our legacy and our family ’ s commitment to quality . YVI is an integrated manufacturer and is committed to producing products this way . It stands true with YVI today , only our craftsmen handle our valves .”
YVI Philosophy of Valve Manufacturing
The YVI manufacturing philosophy is a key aspect of company values . YVI ’ s dedication to in-house manufacturing is the foundation
for building lasting relationships with their customers . The customer approval process is streamlined since YVI has simplified their path to market . YVI valves are designed by their own engineers , the castings are poured at their own foundries , and the valves are all manufactured at the YVI factory . YVI customers appreciate the ease of witnessing and auditing the entire manufacturing process within its own facilities . The same cannot be said for other brands that outsource the design and manufacturing operations to a thirdparty supplier .
When a customer purchases a cast valve , merely referencing API product standards like API 600 , API 623 , and API 594 , may not guarantee the desired level of quality . These product standards provide a baseline for the design and rely on shell pressure tests and visual inspections to provide a standard level of quality . However , they do not address internal casting defects such as porosity , shrinkage , and hot tears , all of which can lead to operational issues . YVI maintains strict control over casting design and production , consistently delivering high-integrity castings .
In contrast , others who outsource castings lack control over critical factors affecting casting quality , making it challenging for end users to assess valve reliability .
Customers can use tools like API RP 591 to evaluate valve manufacturers for inclusion on their Approved Manufacturers Lists ( AML ). This independent evaluation includes comprehensive testing beyond API standards , such as dye-penetrant and magnetic particle inspections , radiography , and microstructure evaluations . YVI ’ s RP 591 results underscore its commitment to superior quality through its integrated manufacturing approach , evaluating its valves beyond standard API quality .
“ In summary , while comparing valve brands for total cost of ownership and reliability is complex , YVI ’ s dedication to inhouse manufacturing ensures consistent , high-quality valves that meet rigorous industry standards and exceed basic API requirements ,” stated Jason Legendre , Director of Product Quality and Compliance .
Every Valve : Our Factory , Our Foundry
YVI operates advanced integrated manufacturing centers spanning a total of 1.9 million square feet , dedicated to producing high-quality cast gate , globe , and check valves . These valves meet the rigorous standards and specifications required by leading oil & gas , petrochemical , and chemical industries . The two cutting-edge foundries feature a combined capacity of 130,000 metric tons , equating to approximately 300,000 castings . They utilize sand casting , lost wax , and shell mold techniques to manufacture the valves , which adhere to API standards ranging from Class 150 to Class 2500 , in sizes from NPS 2 to NPS 60 . Valves are available in both bolted and pressure seal bonnet configurations .
• Upstream
o Onshore
- Gathering & Central Processing
o Offshore ( above water line )
The facilities are equipped with advanced furnaces and modern / digital heat treatment systems . YVI uses its in-house radiography equipment to validate the quality of its castings which enables them to work
2 Valve World Americas | October 2024 • www . valve-world-americas . net