A-T Controls: Defining Success in Diverse Markets

A-T Controls is positioned as one of the key players in a number of sectors, including oil & gas, chemical processing, and petrochemical across the Americas and beyond. With its diverse product portfolio of high-performing valves, actuators, and accessories, as well as its exceptional service and strong market reach, the company continues to meet the requirements of its core industries while securing opportunities for further business growth.

By Steve Fennell

A-T Controls has been a leading innovator in the flow control sector since 1994, initially supplying high-performance automated valves, actuation solutions, and quarter-turn valve accessories. By 1997, the company diversified its capabilities, designing and manufacturing a valve line engineered for reliability, efficiency, and seamless system integration.

Today, after more than three decades of operations, A-T Controls successfully reaches the global flow control market with its expert, steadfast service and extensive product lines of high-performing process valves, actuators, and accessories. With advanced manufacturing and service facilities in Stafford, Texas, and Cincinnati, Ohio, the company serves a variety of industries as diverse as its portfolio of flow control products.

The two facilities serve as the foundation for A-T Controls’ consistent delivery of products, employee training, and support. Additionally, the company has made significant investments in its Stafford, Texas, location, to increase its presence on the Gulf Coast and further establish long-term growth.

In-House Certifications, Reliable Solutions, and Reaching New Markets

Even though its product offerings continue to expand, A-T Controls remains committed to one of its strengths — providing industry-leading actuation and quarter-turn valve solutions that drive efficiency and long-term value for its distributors and end users.

Its current product portfolio includes a range of high-performance ball, butterfly, flanged, and three-way valves, along with a full scope of automated and pneumatic rack and pinion actuators in its proven Triac® line. Both its valve and actuator lines are supported by precision-engineered mounting kits and a complete line of accessories. To name a few, they range from filter regulators and proximity sensors to positioners and custom valve-mounting hardware.

Benjamin Davis, Vice President – Manufactured Products for A-T Controls, explained that the company aims to further expand its footprint in additional key growth sectors — including food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing — as well as downstream refining and the chemical markets.

“Where we are really unique in the market is our ability to offer distributors and end users full packages,” said Davis. “We are consistently rationalizing our offerings and simplifying our lines through product development. We are also working on valves that can reach additional markets.”

A-T Controls is well positioned to meet project and regulatory requirements in the lines that they engineer. With fully integrated capabilities to certify products to API 641, ISO 15848-1, and ISO 15848-2, they can clearly offer optimal product reliability and meet fugitive-emissions standards.

In addition to new projects and products slated for launch in 2026, a standout offering is the SIL 3-certified Seal Welded Forged Trunnion-Mounted Soft Seated Ball Valve, a high-pressure, reliable, and value-driven option for demanding midstream and downstream applications.

Designed to ISO 5211, there are a number of significant benefits to include blowout proof stems and the ability to meet fire-safe API 607 standards. While the three-piece TS3 is forged and available from 2” to 48” (ANSI Class 150/300/600/900/1500/2500), the TSW has a welded, forged body, and is available in sizes from 2” to 36” (ANSI Class 150/300/600).

“These trunnion valves are used around the world in various pipeline applications,” said Davis. “We have a complete line when it comes to sizing and a robust inventory.”

Solution-Based Distribution

In industries where projects rely heavily on supply, A-T Controls consistently supports its distribution partners in a number of ways. At the outset, the company maintains a robust inventory for much of its product lines. This not only enables quicker reaction times to demand with shorter lead times, but results in higher customer satisfaction. It allows flexibility to manage large orders for end users and, most importantly, provides a competitive advantage.

A-T Controls aligns with distribution partners who take solution-focused approaches to buying and selling its products — those who provide deeper technical expertise and deliver tailored engineering solutions to help end users make informed purchasing decisions. Davis explains that solution- based selling is what differentiates A-T Controls in the competitive valve landscape.

The company’s further commitment to its distributors is reflected in maintaining relationships. Given the supply chain challenges during COVID-19 and now the changing market conditions, A-T Controls has remained disciplined to its “go to market” strategies.

“We have a very clear model with our distributors,” says Davis. “We can provide products in one to three days while it may take other companies two to three weeks. Our focus is on service and relationships, which isn’t something we claim; it’s validated by our customers, partners, and distributors who consistently attest to the reliability and responsiveness that we provide. That’s why A-T’s distributors remain loyal to the brand, and end users continue to purchase our products.”

Hands-On Distributor Skills Training

Additional — and significant — support is provided through A-T Controls’ Distributor School Training, offered exclusively to the company’s extensive network of distribution partners.

Held at various times throughout the year at its Cincinnati, Ohio, facility, the program delivers a strong curriculum designed to build technical expertise through direct, hands-on product interaction.

The training covers a wide range of criteria on A-T Controls’ ball valves, trunnions, butterfly valves, specialty products, pneumatic actuators, automation accessories, and electric actuators. Company experts also review key industry standards and compliance requirements.

Along with the structured curriculum, the sessions offer valuable opportunities for networking and professional development. Social events are incorporated to foster conversation and insights in a relaxed, informal setting.

“We offer a fully comprehensive Distributor Training School, and in 2026 we’ll be hosting it quarterly,” said Davis. “It’s designed for inside and outside sales teams from our distribution partners, as well as end users, to train and educate them on our products. We also have an expert team of area sales directors who go into the field with our distribution partners to meet and engage with end users.”

Strength in Service

Supported by its modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facilities with a team of technicians of approximately 300 strong (through the support and resources of parent company Vytl Controls Group), A-T Controls delivers technical services with a North American and global reach. Its service capabilities include comprehensive calibration (pressure, temperature, electrical, gas, and torque), diagnostics, valve repair and maintenance, as well as on-site field services for a wide range of valve applications.

For example, its field technicians have the capabilities to offer a comprehensive range of turnkey onsite solutions for control valves, isolation valves, and valve automation, as well as diagnostics and installation. Based on the scope of the service, repairs can be completed either at its facilities or directly onsite as the company utilizes several field service trailers, helping accelerate critical tasks and minimize downtime.

All field services comply with applicable regulatory requirements, with designated teams streamlining communication, scheduling, and response times for optimal support.

“We offer service capabilities I don’t believe other manufacturers offer,” said Davis. “A-T Controls has a heavy concentration of service in North America, but technicians have been dispatched to locations in South America, Mexico, and Canada. We’ve sent technicians all over the world where service is required.”

In many cases, Davis explained valve issues are caused by improper installation or shifts in process conditions after the valve was originally spec’d. Company technicians focus on diagnosing the true operating environment and ensuring the customer is equipped with a solution that aligns with the application. A-T Controls techs may then recommend alternative valve types, upgrade the packing, or use different seating materials to ensure the utmost reliability.

For more extensive repairs, the company’s fully equipped facilities encompass advanced diagnostic tools and control environments, along with pipeline-grade quality assurance zones.

Additionally, multiple specialized areas include a CNC machining center, general machine shop, welding department, and precision cleaning room, which all support testing and repair.

Remaining Competitive and Addressing Diverse Markets

With a diverse product portfolio, a robust distribution network, and expert service, A-T Controls continues to thrive in its core markets including oil & gas, industrial, food & beverage, and chemical processing. What sets the company apart is its success in meeting requirements for several different markets — depending on their region — which defines the versatility and reliability of its products.

Davis explained several of A-T Controls’ valves are preferred across a range of industries. They perform reliably in commercial paint applications in Michigan, handle demanding well operations throughout the Permian Basin, outperformed competitors in the food processing sector in Canada, and even deliver consistent results in refineries and chemical plants in Louisiana.

“This speaks volumes about the performance of our product in such a variety of markets.” said Davis. “When we talk about new product development, there’s a lot of things that we can do. For A-T Controls, it’s going to be really interesting to see what products we come to market with over the next few years for our core industries as well for other markets since we have the ability to perform well in so many different applications.”