This year, Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp. celebrates a remarkable milestone: 60 years of innovation and leadership in the water, wastewater, industrial, and building markets . Since its founding in 1966 with a single product—the Silent Check Valve—the company has grown into North America’s leading supplier of air valves and a premier manufacturer of engineered flow control solutions . This post explores Val-Matic’s rich history, their comprehensive product lines, and how their technologies solve critical challenges in infrastructure and industry worldwide.
The Val-Matic Story: A Legacy of Innovation Since 1966
Val-Matic was founded in 1966 in Elmhurst, Illinois, by Andrew Nuter and Ted Makowan, who were the company’s sole employees for the first year . Their first product, the Silent Check Valve, established a foundation of quality and innovation that would guide the company for decades .
Within a year, work began on what would become Val-Matic’s signature product line: Air Valves. Today, the company manufactures nine types of air valves and holds the distinction of being the leading supplier of air valves in North America . This expertise in managing air in pipelines has made them an indispensable partner for engineers designing water transmission systems, treatment plants, and sewage forcemains .
The company’s growth has been marked by continuous expansion and product development :
- 1980-1981: Introduction of Dual Disc® and Tilted Disc® Check Valves
- 1985: Construction of a new 38,500 square foot facility in Elmhurst, IL
- 1986-1987: Launch of Swing-Flex® Check Valves and Cam-Centric® Plug Valves
- 1994 & 2001: Multiple facility expansions to 118,000 square feet
- 1999: Acquisition of the American-Darling AWWA Butterfly Valve line, expanding capabilities up to 144-inch diameter valves
- 2003: Introduction of the Surgebuster® product line
- 2005: Release of the FloodSafe® Inflow Preventer, the first product of its kind
- 2006: Launch of Ener-G® AWWA Rubber Seated Ball Valves
- 2013: Acquisition of a 60,000 square foot facility in Addison, IL for large valve production and R&D
- 2014: Acquisition of the QuadroSphere® Ball Valve for severe service applications
- 2020: Val-Matic was acquired by A.Y. McDonald Industries, a family-owned corporation and manufacturer of products for the waterworks and gas industries
Today, the company operates from 178,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space across two Illinois facilities, equipped with advanced welding, machining, and testing capabilities to produce valves that meet American Iron and Steel (AIS) and Buy America requirements .
Comprehensive Valve Solutions for Critical Applications
While Val-Matic does not manufacture traditional soft rubber duckbill valves, they offer several product lines that serve similar functions in backflow prevention and flow control, with proven performance in demanding applications.
Swing-Flex® Check Valves: The Durable Alternative
The Swing-Flex® Check Valve, introduced in 1986, represents Val-Matic’s answer to applications requiring reliable check valve performance in harsh conditions . Unlike traditional duckbill valves which use a flexible rubber sleeve, the Swing-Flex® features a one-piece steel and nylon reinforced Buna-N rubber disc that provides exceptional durability .
A documented case study from a 220-MW power station’s bottom ash recovery system demonstrates the Swing-Flex®’s superiority. The facility’s original duckbill check valves failed in as little as two weeks due to abrasion from the aggressive bottom ash media. Ball check valves failed within four months, and conventional swing check valves required replacement every six to twelve months .
In October 1987, plant engineers installed a Val-Matic Swing-Flex® Check Valve. After five years of continuous service with no maintenance, Val-Matic had the valve removed and tested. Independent testing by Pittsburgh Testing Laboratories confirmed the valve seating was “drop tight with no leakage observed” at 55 psi, with only two drops observed during a five-minute 200 psi test . This real-world performance demonstrates why Val-Matic valves are trusted in the most severe applications.
FloodSafe® Inflow Preventer
Introduced in 2005, the FloodSafe® Inflow Preventer was developed in response to customer inquiries and represents the first product of its kind . It is designed to prevent the entry of contaminated water or other fluids from entering the air valve outlet and subsequently the pipeline . This innovative solution addresses a critical infrastructure vulnerability, protecting water quality and system integrity.
Complete Product Portfolio
Val-Matic’s comprehensive product lineup includes :
Key Industries Served
Val-Matic’s engineered solutions protect critical infrastructure across multiple sectors :
- Water and Wastewater: The core market, serving municipal water treatment, distribution, and wastewater collection systems
- Industrial Processing: Chemical plants, pulp and paper mills, and manufacturing facilities
- Power Generation: Cooling water systems, ash handling, and plant auxiliary systems
- Building and Commercial: HVAC systems, fire protection, and building water systems
- Oil and Gas: Production pipelines, refining, and processing applications
- Mining and Minerals: Slurry handling and process water systems
2026: A Year of Celebration and Innovation
2026 marks Val-Matic’s 60th anniversary, a testament to six decades of continuous innovation and customer-focused engineering . Recent developments include:
Resilite Combination Air Valve (2024): This new product automatically releases and admits air in pipelines to maintain efficient, reliable system operation in an economical and lightweight material .
Ener-G® AWWA Rubber Seated Ball Valves: These advanced quarter-turn valves are engineered for demanding service conditions and are available with a variety of pump control options for the most severe pumping applications .
Continued Standards Leadership: Val-Matic actively participates in industry standards organizations and technical committees, helping shape the codes and specifications that govern safe and effective valve performance worldwide .
ISO 9001:2015 Certification: The company maintains this certification, reflecting an ongoing commitment to quality management systems across design, manufacturing, and service operations .
How to Contact Val-Matic and Find Authorized Distributors
Val-Matic products are available through a network of authorized distributors and manufacturer’s representatives worldwide.
Corporate Headquarters:
- Company: Val-Matic Valve & Mfg. Corp.
- Address: 905 S Riverside Dr, Elmhurst, IL 60126, United States
- Phone: (630) 941-7600
- Website: www.valmatic.com
Authorized Distributor Example:
- The Macomb Group is an authorized distributor of Val-Matic products, supplying pipe, valves, and fittings to contractors and industries .
To find the representative or distributor in your region, the most effective approach is to visit the Val-Matic website and use their “Find a Rep” or distributor locator tool, or contact their Elmhurst headquarters directly.
Conclusion
For 60 years, Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing has set the standard for quality and innovation in the flow control industry. From their pioneering Silent Check Valve in 1966 to today’s comprehensive portfolio of advanced products, the company remains dedicated to solving the most demanding challenges in water, wastewater, and industrial applications.
While they may not manufacture traditional duckbill valves, their Swing-Flex® Check Valves have proven themselves in applications where duckbills fail, as demonstrated by the power station case study showing five years of maintenance-free service in extremely aggressive bottom ash slurry . This is the kind of engineering excellence that has made Val-Matic a trusted name for generations of engineers and plant managers.
As they celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2026, Val-Matic’s commitment remains clear: continue innovating, serving customers with distinction, and raising the bar for valve technology well into the future . When your project demands reliable, long-lasting flow control solutions, choose the company with six decades of proven performance. Choose Val-Matic.