Cover Story
Bonney Forge Shanghai is a fully owned and operated facility by Bonney Forge Corporation. This facility manufactures our cast steel valve product line, with the capability of manufacturing valves in excess of 20,000 pounds!
Within WFI International, two operators are putting the final touches on a 72 NPS Sweepolet ® made of 304 stainless steel. This product is an integrally reinforced branch connection which restores full strength to the pipe in which it is installed. be anything up to thirty weeks depending on the exact types and numbers ordered. EPC contractors know that and plan well in advance, enabling us to deliver valves to the project construction site in good time. But invariably someone somewhere along the line forgets to order a specific valve, or perhaps a change in the specifications means additional valves are needed. Whatever the cause, project delays due to missing components can have serious consequences. That’ s why B. F. E. offers a special Fast Track service, whereby we can deliver small numbers of valves very quickly, typically within eight weeks. This service gives tremendous reassurance to EPC contractors as they know they can rely on us to keep their projects on target.” Bonney Forge’ s definition of service also includes assisting customers who have unique requirements.“ At WFI, we regularly receive calls from end users who are struggling to find lasting
solutions for severe-service applications,” begins Mr. Heald.“ They have seen how standard products can fail over time, so are looking for an engineered fitting that will deliver long-term performance. Sometimes the solution can be straightforward, such as modifying an existing design. However, in many cases our engineering team will design a unique product that is perfectly tailored for their specific application.” Mr. Sonzogni paints a similar picture at B. F. E.“ We can design and engineer valves according to the criticality of the service. Moreover, we have the confidence to suggest alternative materials of construction. Whenever a new alloy is launched we run extensive tests to check its suitability for use in valves. Having the widest possible range of alloys to choose from means we are better placed to deliver a valve which perfectly aligns with the client’ s application.”
Pictured here is a fresh batch of forgings finishing their heat treatment cycle in our state of the art heat treat machine. This machine automatically loads, unloads, quenches and cools forgings in accordance to ASTM requirements and constantly monitors temperatures throughout the cycle.
Future plans
Since 1984, Bonney Forge has been owned by the Leone family. The company thereby benefits from prompt decision-making at the highest level in addition to strong financial support.“ Take for example investments at our forged valve facility in Italy which boasts a high degree of automation with advanced CNC machines and robots. Automation has helped to speed up production rates while safeguarding quality- all made possible thanks to our owners,” states Mr. Sonzogni. Similarly, the two US locations can maintain extensive stock of raw materials, facilitating short production timelines for fittings and other components. Support is also available to target new markets. Mr. Sonzogni:“ Hence we recently engaged extra engineering and business development staff to promote our new ball valves. The latest models are ideal for critical applications in the energy and offshore platform sectors. With end user approvals having been gained, I am pleased to say first orders have already been shipped!” Concludes Mr. Heald:“ John Leone purchased Bonney Forge in 1984 and is the company’ s CEO. Under his continued leadership, Bonney Forge has retained its leading position, enjoying persistent expansion and innovation. We were the original inventors of the branch connection and continue to build on and improve that initial prototype to this very day. The same holds true for all our valve offerings. Throughout all the company’ s endeavors, we are looking ahead, deploying the latest technologies and investing for the future. But always with the customer’ s needs in mind, and at all times focusing on our top-level goals, namely, to deliver on quality, service and value.”
www. valve-world. net Valve World May 2025
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