Flow Group acquires Robert Cort

22 February 2011

Robert Cort, the Reading-based manufacturer of pipeline ball and gate valves, has been acquired by the Yorkshire-based Flow Group Ltd, suppliers of specialist valve solutions to the global energy industry. Flow Group is a long-standing client of Bridge.

Robert Cort is a highly respected British valve manufacturing business, which has operated from Reading since 1823, and on the existing site since the early 1960’s. Cort valves are used in oil and gas pipelines, oil refineries, jetties and tank farms all over the world. There are many installed over 50 years ago still being supported and giving excellent service.

The Robert Cort business will now be conducted by Robert Cort Valves Limited, a wholly owned Subsidiary of Flow Group and will continue to operate from the current site in Reading.

Last year Flow Group took the decision to focus their efforts on valves for the oil & gas market and divested their Sheffield-based businesses, Bestobell and Conflow. The strategic acquisition of Robert Cort reinforces their commitment to growing the Group in the oil & gas market.

Flow Group already consists of a number of well-known market leading valve businesses - Shipham Valves, based in Hull, supplies non- ferrous and high alloy valve solutions for handling seawater and other severe fluids to the offshore and petrochemical industries; John Mills Valves, based in Newcastle, supplies bronze and aluminium bronze valves to valve houses and OEM’s; Leeds Valve, based in Leeds, supplies specialist butterfly valves. Over 75% of turnover is from export sales and the Group has sales offices in Shanghai, China, and Houston, USA.

Bridge Mergers & Acquisitions initiated and facilitated the transaction.