The image shows the ALV-TROL logo in blue, with a stylized circuit design on the left and a round icon of a train in the letter "O." The text "SINCE 1947" appears underneath.
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Valves Built for Pressure. Proven Over Time.

Founded in 1947 in Akron, Ohio, Valv-Trol began by solving problems in the rubber molding industry with valves and controls built to last. Today, we continue that legacy, engineering high-performance high-pressure valves for the most demanding applications.

Over 75 Years of Proven Performance

Valv-Trol was founded in 1947 in Akron, Ohio, when the founders discovered a need in the rubber molding industry for better, tougher valve and control components. So they built them—right down to the name: Valv-Trol, short for valves and control.

Today, we engineer high-performance water hydraulic valves for die casting, forging, and other punishing applications. With advanced materials and heat treatments, our valves are built to survive what destroys others.

Founded in 1947. Still built to last.

Our History of Success
A mechanical valve assembly is displayed on a wooden table in an industrial workshop, with machinery, tools, and equipment visible in the background. The valve is cut open to reveal its internal components.

Over 75 Years of
Valv-Trol History

1947—The Valv-Trol Company is founded in Akron, Ohio—the “Rubber Capital of the World”
—by Robert E. (Bob) Ingram, Deloss O. Brown, and A. Dee Grover, and they set up their first shop in a small rented building. They see a need in the rubber molding industry to manufacture and repair valves and
control components. Thus, the name Valv-Trol is born.

1947

They develop and build their first valves for regional molders, and supplement their business by repairing and calibrating pressure gauges, thermometers, mechanical timers, and various other small controls used in the industry.
A sepia-toned photo of a brick building with two barred windows and a door to the left. A sign next to the door is partially visible, and there are tree branches in the upper left corner.
Industrial control valve with a round actuator mounted on top, featuring a metallic body and flanged ends for pipeline connection, shown against a plain white background.
A metal electrical switch box with an open door, revealing a manual lever mechanism and internal components inside.
A black industrial control valve with a cylindrical actuator on top, metal bolts around the lid, and a valve body with threaded pipe connections at the bottom, set against a plain white background.
Black and white photo of an old mechanical device with gears, a rotary disk, and metal parts, housed in a square metal casing with the front cover removed to show the internal mechanism.
A black-and-white photo of a rectangular, two-story industrial building with block walls, two doors at the front, several windows, and utility wires above, with a paved driveway on the right side.

1950

Mr. Ingram and Mr. Brown move the growing company to another location in Akron.

1953

Herschel L. (Hank) Henry joins the company as sales manager. Later that year, Hank becomes a partner and the company continues to grow by developing new products for the rubber industry.

1958

The product range includes many more custom valve designs and modifications for special operating conditions in the steel and aluminum industries. Pressure ratings on some “custom” valves go up from 3,500 PSI (240 bar) to 6,000 PSI (414 bar).
A black and white photo of a single-story brick building with a flat roof, small windows, and shrubs along the front, facing a sidewalk and street.
Two identical black metal mechanical components are standing upright side by side on a plain white background. Each part has four circular holes and multiple vertical extensions.
A rectangular industrial gearbox with cylindrical input and output shafts, mounted horizontally and painted gray, shown against a plain white background.
A metal industrial valve assembly with multiple cylindrical components and connection points, photographed against a plain white background.
A metal electrical cabinet with its door open, revealing multiple circular meters and controls arranged in two vertical columns inside.
Valv-Trol continues to design new Water Hydraulic Valves to fill the needs of forging and die-casting companies and customers with a wide range of custom requirements. The company’s drawing files grow greatly. Valv-Trol takes advantage of new materials and heat treatments to better resist corrosion and erosion, thus increasing valve life in difficult and dirty operating conditions.
A vintage fire truck is parked in front of a brick fire station with a sign that reads "Cuyahoga." The vehicle features classic styling and visible equipment on its side.

1967

Deloss Brown retires, leaving Bob Ingram and Hank Henry as the managing partners.

1979

Hank Henry retires and Richard H. (Rick) Houck joins the company as sales manager. Later that year Rick is named Vice President and becomes a partner.

1980

Valv-Trol purchases a retired pumper truck from the local fire department and sets up an outside flow test stand. It allows the company to develop and confirm flow (Cv) ratings on valves up to 4” (100 mm) pipe size at different pressure differentials. These test results prove to be invaluable in recommending the proper size valves for later applications.

1983

Kenneth R. (Ken) Ingram, Bob’s son, joins the team as purchasing manager and partner.

1984

Ken is named President and assumes more of the engineering and administrative duties.

1990

Valv-Trol moves to its present location in Stow, Ohio.
A single-story industrial or commercial building with beige brick walls, green metal siding along the roof, several windows, and landscaping with bushes and small trees in front.

The property and building allows the company to expand its machine shop and offices, and also allows room for better workflows and more efficient production of valves and parts.

Valv-trol

Through the 1990’s...

  • The high-pressure Water Valve business continues to grow until many custom valves become new “standard” models.
  • Valv-Trol’s Engineering and Manufacturing expands to meet the demands for high-pressure spray applications, such as sewer cleaning and hydro-excavating. Also, the demands for hydrostatic testing of pipe and hose, hydroforming, and regulating water pressures for the auto makers grow during this time.
A new line of Back Pressure Relief Valves is developed to give the automatic transmission and steering parts makers a way to control their plunger pumps. These flow-modulating valves are developed to maintain operating pressures as high as 10,000 PSI (690 bar). They are used for water spray and water blasting to wash, clean, and remove chips and burs after complex machining operations (high-pressure deburr).

1984

Bob Ingram retires.
The image shows the word "VALV-TROL" in bold, blue, uppercase letters with a black outline, centered on a white background.

Valv-trol

The New Millennium...

Valv-Trol finds continued growth in valves used for the hydrostatic or pressure testing of pipe and hose. Testing with water to pressures as high as 30,000 PSI (2069 bar) demands rugged valves that can handle the high-pressures and flow rates, while extending valve life and minimizing corrosion and erosion damage. With many years of high-pressure water experience, Valv-Trol is the perfect partner for machine builders in this industry, and continues to custom design and manufacture OEM valves and replacement parts for others.
A rectangular industrial gearbox with cylindrical input and output shafts, mounted horizontally and painted gray, shown against a plain white background.
A metal industrial valve assembly with multiple cylindrical components and connection points, photographed against a plain white background.
A metal electrical cabinet with its door open, revealing multiple circular meters and controls arranged in two vertical columns inside.
Two identical black metal mechanical components are standing upright side by side on a plain white background. Each part has four circular holes and multiple vertical extensions.

With the growing emphasis on green technology, more companies are looking to take advantage of the superior fire resistance, low viscosity, low compressibility, cutting ability, and favorable environmental properties of high-pressure water to meet their needs.

We haven’t forgotten our roots, and still give superior personal service to our rubber industry customers, as well as those in the water hydraulics, high-pressure spray and deburr industries. The Valv-Trol team has seen many difficult industrial water applications over the years, and we look forward to sharing our expertise and experience for another 66 years and beyond.

2020—On September 30, 2020, the 73-year history of The Valv-Trol Company saw another milestone. On this day, the owners (including family members of the 1947 original founder Robert Ingram) officially made the move to retire their legacy in the business.

On October 1, 2020 the company opened its doors under new ownership, but ownership committed to continuing and enhancing the Valv-Trol reputation for world-class, low-pressure and high pressure valves, parts and associated services in the marketplace.

The new company, Valv-Trol LLC, continues the “Valv-Trol” name in the industry with the same root name, same logo, same company address and same web site address (www.valv-trol.com). The products, parts and services available to Valv-Trol customers for the past 73 years continue to be available as always, but with a strategic intention to expand the product and service lines of the business going forward.