Member Article

R&D gathers pace at valve engineering firm

Severn Unival is establishing a dedicated research and development (R&D) division to focus on generating advanced technical solutions for challenging industries.

The valve engineering firm, which imminently relocates from Huddersfield to new purpose-built premises in Brighouse, intends to reposition R&D at the heart of its operations.

Andrew Bradbury and Frank Buckley have been promoted to lead R&D engineer and R&D engineer, respectively.

R&D facilities at the Brighouse site include a technical drawing office and a shop floor laboratory where the team will be able to fast-track the testing of new concepts and prototypes.

The firm will continue to draw on close links with Huddersfield University and maintain its presence at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.

Managing director Colin Findlay said that the initiative is an important step in terms of extending and reinforcing the business’ world-class engineering intelligence ethos.

He explained: “As we get ready to move into our new premises, the time is right to underline what makes our business so special and successful.”

“Setting up a team to focus exclusively on R&D will let us maximise our internal knowledge and expertise in a way that brings tangible benefits to our customers’ industries. With excellent facilities and equipment at their disposal, Andrew and Frank will be responsible for keeping Severn Unival at the forefront of valve innovation.”

Severn Unival’s new £2.5m factory and office development measures 60,000 sq ft. The premises house a state-of-the-art Valve Research & Innovation Centre as well as valve manufacture, engineering and administrative services.

It is part of the Severn Glocon Group which employs 800 people worldwide and won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2011.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .