When it comes to moving water and wastewater efficiently, the devil is in the details. For nearly a century, Cla-Val has been the undisputed leader in automatic control valves, solving complex fluid handling challenges across the globe. This post explores the company’s rich history and dives deep into one of its most ingenious and reliable products: the Duckbill Check Valve.

The Cla-Val Story: American Ingenuity Since 1936

Cla-Val was founded in 1936 by Donald Griswold in South Pasadena, California. With just five employees, Griswold set out to solve a critical industry problem, ultimately inventing the world’s first automatic control valve. This innovation didn’t just create a product; it established an entirely new standard for the industry. From these humble beginnings, Cla-Val grew, moving its global headquarters to its current location in Costa Mesa, California, in 1954 .Today, that facility houses a modern casting foundry, machining operations, assembly lines, and a large-scale test laboratory, serving as the nucleus for a worldwide network of manufacturing and distribution

With strategic manufacturing and training centers in Canada, Switzerland, France, the UK, and New Zealand—including a major Asia-Pacific headquarters in Christchurch—Cla-Val brings its American-engineered quality to every corner of the globe.This expansion ensures that whether you’re in a bustling North American city or a developing agricultural region, access to Cla-Val’s world-renowned performance and reliability is never far away.

The Genius of the Duckbill: A Simple Solution for Complex Problems

The “duckbill” concept for check valves isn’t new; it has been trusted in waterworks for over a century. Cla-Val has perfected this design, transforming it into a highly engineered solution for the most demanding applications.

So, how does it work? A Cla-Val Duckbill Valve features a flexible sleeve made from high-quality, fabric-reinforced elastomer . This sleeve is molded in the shape of a duck’s bill. When forward flow passes through, the “bill” opens effortlessly, allowing fluid to pass with minimal friction loss. However, the moment there is any reverse flow or backpressure, the flexible sleeve instantly collapses, creating a tight seal that prevents any backflow from occurring

This elegant design offers significant advantages over traditional swing or metal-seated check valves:

Virtually No Head Loss: The flexible sleeve opens fully, providing a near full-port opening that minimizes energy consumption.

Superior Wear Resistance: The elastomer construction is inherently resistant to corrosion and abrasion from harsh media like sludge, sewage, and abrasive slurries .

Low Maintenance: With no hinges, springs, or metal parts to rust or jam, the valve is essentially maintenance-free.

Key Duckbill Valve Models from Cla-Val

Model Series: RF-DBI-LH Duckbill Valve

RF-DBI-LH: Description & Key Features:

Low Head Loss In-Line Duckbill Check Valve. A newer design with a unique “fold away” inner sleeve for near full-port flow, enabling quick drainage and extremely low head loss

RF-DBI-LH Typical Applications:

Pipelines where minimizing energy use and allowing passive flow are critical.

Model Series: DBI Series Duckbill Valve

DBI Series Description & Key Features:

In-Line Flanged Style Duckbill Check Valves. Designed to be installed between two pipe flanges. Features an integral rubber flange for easy installation and comes in various elastomers for different fluids.

DBI Series Typical Applications:

General pressurized pipeline applications.

Model Series: DB Series Duckbill Valve

DB Series Description & Key Features:

The classic Duckbill Check Valve design. A flexible sleeve model that excels in handling corrosive and abrasive media

DB Series Typical Applications:

Industrial process piping, wastewater, storm water, and sewer systems.

Where You’ll Find Cla-Val Duckbill Valves

The robust design of the Duckbill Valve makes it the preferred choice across a wide spectrum of industries. While Cla-Val’s core markets include Waterworks, Fire Protection, Fueling, and Marine, the Duckbill valve‘s unique properties make it indispensable in:

Wastewater and Sewage Treatment Plants: Handling raw sewage, sludge, and effluent where reliability in the face of clogging and corrosion is paramount .
Flood Control and Stormwater Management: Installed in outfall lines to prevent river or tidal water from backing up into drainage systems.
Industrial Processing Plants: Managing abrasive slurries in mining, pulp and paper, and chemical applications .
Agricultural and Farming: Used in irrigation systems and waste lagoons to ensure one-way flow .

Global Support and Local Expertise

Cla-Val’s commitment to quality is matched by its dedication to customer support. They operate through a vast network of factory-authorized sales agents and representatives. To find the expert nearest you, Cla-Val provides an interactive map on their website . For inquiries, you can also reach out through these primary channels:

General Inquiries (Asia-Pacific Factory): | Phone: +64 3 964 4860
Marine Product Support:
Fueling Product Support:
Cla-Val China Office: Phone: +86 13920828910 (Contact: Tiger Ren)

Latest News: A New Chapter of Leadership DuckBill Valve

As of January 1, 2026, Cla-Val DuckBill Valve has entered an exciting new chapter. The company recently announced a strategic leadership transition to guide its continued growth and innovation . John Link, a 35-year veteran of the company, has assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Ryan Pickett has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. This move ensures that Cla-Val’s deep-rooted culture of excellence and market expertise will continue to drive the company forward, combining its rich history with a forward-looking vision . Martin W. Pickett, the previous President, will continue to provide strategic direction as Chairman of the Board .

From its founding innovation in 1936 to its modern Duckbill Valves and recent leadership for 2026 and beyond, Cla-Val remains the world-renowned name for performance and reliability in fluid control . Whether you are protecting a municipal water supply or managing an industrial process, a Cla-Val Duckbill Valve offers a century’s worth of ingenuity in a simple, elegant package.