Tomoe wins award
Tomoe Tritec, one of the world leaders in the design and production of process valves and actuators, based in Britain, has been presented an IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) 2003 award for its Option Two Double Block and Bleed (DB&B) valve.

The Option Two DB&B valve won third prize under the 'Amec award for Innovation and Excellence in SMEs' category, thanks to the product's unique design solution for on and offshore applications.
The Option Two DB&B valve provides the security of guaranteed isolation along with the benefits of modest weight and compact size. It is a triple-offset, metal-seated butterfly valve and is an ideal option when health and safety dictates that a single existing isolation valve be replaced by two separate ones in a single casting.
It can be fitted into the same space as the existing isolation valve with no pipe work modifications, saving valuable downtime offshore, and reduced material mass means initial purchase costs are lower. A reduction in weight, together with fully replaceable sealing components, helps ease maintenance and drastically minimises cost of ownership.
'We're delighted,' said Martin Wells, managing director for Tomoe Group. 'Being presented such a highly acclaimed award is a true testimony of our hard work and commitment.'

Kitz gets Germany
Valve manufacturer Kitz Corp, a leading global ISO 9001/9002 certified valve manufacturer based in the US has reached an agreement with German pump and valve producer KSB AG on the mutual supply of valves.
Using KSB's sales routes, Kitz hopes to make greater inroads in the German market.
Kitz will also expand its selection of liquefied natural gas (LNG) valves by offering KSB products.
Kitz will provide KSB with stainless steel valves for use in chemical and pharmaceutical plants.
These products will be marketed under the Kitz brand, with sales targeted at 300 million yen in three years.
On the other hand, Kitz will sell in Japan KSB butterfly valves for use in LNG storage equipment and LNG tankers.
Kitz plans to increase sales of LNG-related valves from roughly 400 million yen (US$3.4m) for last fiscal year to 2 billion yen (US$16m) in fiscal 2005.