Bestobell heads for New Orleans showcase

Sheffield-based Bestobell, which is part of the President Engineering Group, will be supporting W&O, its exclusive distributor in North America, at the WorkBoat Show.

Mark Henley, managing director of Bestobell Valves, said: “We are looking forward to supporting W&O at this important exhibition. We chose W&O as our exclusive distributor for North America earlier this year and see this as just one of the ways we will be supporting them to develop more business opportunities. It will also be a great opportunity to network with professionals from across the marine industry to share knowledge and expertise.”

Bestobell’s partnership with W&O means that its LNG (liquefied natural gas) cryogenic valves, which manage the flow of LNG to the engines of ships, can be targeted at marine companies throughout North America. The valves, which are specifically designed for marine applications, are fire safe and all components are able to withstand a minimum temperature of 925 degrees.

The WorkBoat Show brings together industry professionals from the maritime industry. It offers the chance for exhibitors to share expertise, negotiate directly with suppliers and discuss the latest advances in vessel technology.

The event is attended by international ship owners, ship operators, engine manufacturers, ship builders, classification societies, owners of crew boats, supply boats, military boats, patrol boats, shipyards and commercial boatbuilders, plus anyone else affiliate with the marine industry.

W&O Supply, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, is a global supplier of marine pipe, valves and fittings, valve automation, and engineered solutions to the marine and upstream oil and gas industries, which focus on exploration and production.

President Engineering Group was formed in October 2010 when the Conflow and Bestobell Valves businesses were purchased in a management buyout from Flow Group. These businesses consist of a manufacturing and distribution unit in Sheffield, a distribution unit in Pittsburgh, in the US, and a manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad, India. In November last year, the group acquired Deryshire-based Bretby Gammatech, a niche provider of coal monitoring products.

Mr Henley said that since 2010 President Engineering Group, which employs about 100 people in Sheffield, has seen its annual turnover double to £20m.

Originally founded in 1857, Bestobell has more than 50 years’ experience in the development and supply of cryogenic valves for industrial gas, and has 15 years’ experience in supplying to the LNG marine markets.