For nearly a century, one name has stood as a benchmark for quality and reliability in the valve industry: Apollo Valves. From its origins supplying brass fittings to its role in the Apollo space program, the brand has built a legacy of precision engineering. Within this world of sophisticated flow control systems, the simple yet ingenious Duckbill valve plays a vital, behind-the-scenes role in ensuring system integrity, preventing backflow, and maintaining operational safety across countless applications.
This blog post explores the rich history of this American manufacturing icon and delves into the essential function of the Duckbill valve within its comprehensive product portfolio.
A Legacy Forged in American Manufacturing: The Apollo Story
The story of Apollo Valves is a classic American industrial narrative that begins in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, where it was originally founded as Conbraco Industries . The company focused on producing brass and bronze fittings, valves, and similar products for the growing industrial and plumbing markets . A pivotal moment came in the 1960s when the company’s valves were selected for use in the Apollo space program, successfully operating in the extreme environment of space suits . This reliable performance under the most demanding conditions provided the inspiration and credibility to officially register the “Apollo” brand .
In 2005, the company formally changed its name to Apollo Valves to reflect its strong brand identity, and in 2010, it was acquired by Aalberts N.V. , a Dutch global leader in advanced integrated piping systems . Today, as part of Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems (IPS) , Apollo Valves operates three state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the Carolinas, including two world-class foundries . An impressive over 90% of the 30,000 Apollo valves shipped daily are made in the USA , with every single valve factory-tested and backed by a 5-year warranty . This vertical integration—designing, casting, machining, assembling, and testing in-house—allows Apollo to maintain tight control over quality, lead times, and process accountability . Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, the company now stands on the threshold of its 100th anniversary in 2028, a testament to its enduring commitment to engineering discipline and manufacturing excellence .
The Duckbill Valve: A Simple Guardian of Complex Systems
The Duckbill valve is an elegantly simple check valve, typically made from flexible elastomers like rubber, EPDM, or silicone. Its unique, beak-like shape allows fluid or gas to flow freely in one direction under pressure. When forward flow stops or attempts to reverse, the flexible material instantly snaps shut, creating a positive seal that prevents any backflow. This self-actuating, automatic function requires no external power or moving parts, making it inherently reliable and maintenance-free in countless applications.
While Apollo Valves is renowned for its extensive range of ball, butterfly, and safety relief valves, the Duckbill valve principle is most directly applied within their line of check valves, foot valves, and in-line check valves . These are the silent guardians of piping systems, ensuring that flow moves in only the intended direction.
Key Application Scenarios
Within Apollo’s diverse market sectors—including residential and commercial plumbing, industrial processing, oil and gas, and fire protection—the Duckbill-style check valve is a critical component in the following areas :
1. Industrial & Chemical Processing
In chemical plants and refineries, preventing backflow of corrosive or hazardous fluids is paramount for safety and process integrity. Apollo’s in-line check valves, which often utilize elastomeric seals that function like a Duckbill, are used in dosing skids, sampling systems, and transfer lines to ensure that expensive and dangerous chemicals move only forward, protecting pumps and other upstream equipment .
2. Water & Wastewater Treatment
Throughout the water cycle, from municipal treatment plants to commercial buildings, check valves prevent the reverse flow of contaminated water. Apollo’s backflow preventers and check valves are employed in pump discharge lines, chemical feed systems for chlorination, and irrigation systems to maintain system pressure and prevent contamination of potable water supplies .
3. Plumbing & Mechanical Systems
In commercial and residential buildings, Apollo’s plumbing and heating products include strainers and in-line check valves that prevent gravity-driven backflow in hot water recirculation lines and condensate removal systems, ensuring efficient and quiet operation .
4. Fire Protection Systems
Apollo manufactures backflow preventers for the commercial fire protection market. In these life-safety systems, reliable check valves are essential to ensure that water flows only toward sprinklers when needed, and that potentially stagnant or contaminated water cannot flow back into the municipal supply .
Related Apollo Product Lines & Part Number Families
Apollo Valves does not typically sell generic Duckbill valves as standalone retail items, as they are integrated into finished assemblies. However, the following Apollo product families are most likely to contain these critical components and can be referenced by their series numbers:
For specific part numbers, a professional would typically search the extensive Apollo catalog using the desired function (e.g., “in-line check valve”) and required specifications (size, material, pressure rating). Authorized distributors listed below can assist with this process.
Where to Buy: Authorized Distributors & Global Contacts
Apollo Valves products are sold through a global network of professional distributors. The company does not sell directly to end-users, ensuring that customers receive expert advice and support.
1. Official Website & Distributor Locator:
The best starting point for finding a local supplier is the official Apollo Valves website, now integrated within the Aalberts IPS platform: www.apollovalves.com .
2. North American Distributors:
- Valin Corporation: A leading technical distributor of process control products, stocking a wide range of Apollo valves. They can be reached at 1-800-227-0305 for process control needs .
- General Industrial Suppliers: Apollo products are also stocked by national industrial suppliers like Grainger and McMaster-Carr.
3. China & Asia-Pacific:
The China market is served by authorized distributors who maintain extensive local inventory and provide technical support.
- Shanghai Shiliang Fluid Engineering Co., Ltd. (上海世亮流体工程技术有限公司): The exclusive authorized master distributor for Apollo Valves in China.
- Apollo Valves China Office (Alternate Contact): Another point of contact for the Chinese market is an office in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area.
4. Corporate Headquarters (For Professional Inquiries):
For corporate or high-level inquiries, the US headquarters can be contacted.
- Address: Aalberts IPS US / Apollo Valves, Matthews, North Carolina, USA .
- Note: It is always more efficient to contact an authorized distributor for sales and product availability.
Recent News & Brand Leadership
Apollo Valves and its parent company Aalberts IPS continue to make news with product innovation, strategic expansion, and industry recognition as they approach their centennial.
- Approaching 100 Years of U.S. Manufacturing (2026): Apollo Valves is nearing its 100th anniversary of American valve manufacturing. Recent industry spotlights emphasize the company’s vertically integrated domestic production and continued investment in U.S. facilities as a key differentiator in an era of global supply chain concerns .
- Expansion of Press Technology: Apollo has significantly expanded beyond traditional valves with its Apollo Press, PowerPress, and SmartPress systems. These flame-free installation technologies feature patented Leak Before Press safety indicators, which allow installers to identify unpressed connections during pressure testing, reducing installation risk and speeding commissioning .
- API 607 Fire-Safe Valve Certification (Jan 2026): Aalberts highlighted its range of Apollo API 607 fire-safe valves, including the 87A and 88A flanged ball valves. These valves are engineered to maintain sealing integrity even when soft seats are destroyed by fire, utilizing secondary metal-to-metal contact for critical applications in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries .
- Sustainability & Community Initiatives: Apollo’s Charlotte office has launched programs like office composting, demonstrating a commitment to reducing landfill waste as part of broader corporate sustainability efforts.
Conclusion
For nearly a century, Apollo Valves has provided the essential components that keep fluids flowing safely and efficiently in industrial plants, commercial buildings, and residential homes across the globe. Behind the sophisticated engineering of their ball valves and the reliability of their backflow preventers lies the simple, dependable genius of components like the Duckbill valve—quiet guardians ensuring that water, chemicals, and gases move only where and when they should.
By understanding the legacy of Apollo Valves, now approaching its 100-year milestone, and sourcing genuine components through authorized distributors like Shanghai Shiliang Fluid Engineering in China or Valin in North America, engineers and contractors can ensure the systems they build and maintain continue to perform at the highest standard for generations to come.