Bray Armaturen und Antriebe Europa

With our incorporation on April 23, 1986, Bray International, Inc. began an unprecedented history of success. Our goal was to establish Bray as The High Performance Company – high performance based on entrepreneurial vision. Throughout our history Bray has earned a reputation of excellence by creating products of superior value and quality, providing personalized customer service and on-time delivery. The key ingredient has always been a fully integrated product line innovatively engineered to meet the real needs of the process industry.

In our first year the company structure and product line was designed. By Christmas of 1986 the first valve prototypes were produced. Additionally, all sales and technical literature were prepared. A unique network of experienced distributors, with proven track records, was well under way. A suitable factory was located in March of 1987 and the first valve production runs began in June of that year. The initial butterfly valves were the Series 20/21 Sanitary/Chemical, the Series 30/31 General Purpose and the Series 35/36 Large Diameter.

In January 1988 we celebrated the opening of Bray U.K., our initial foreign location. Our third year was additionally marked by the opening of Bray Canada in July 1988 and Bray Mexico in January 1989. Bray Continental Europe operations began in June 1990. The start up of these four operations outside the U.S. significantly expanded our customer base, and established Bray as an international company. At home, the first Series 20/21 stainless steel valve bodies were produced in June of 1988.

The move to our present Bray U.S.A. factory location in September of 1990 was a significant milestone. This 61,000 sq. ft. building allowed for rapid expansion and increased production capabilities.

Beginning in February of 1992 with the Series 50 Valve Status Monitor, several new products were introduced. The U.S. manufacture of the Series 90 Pneumatic Actuator started up in February of 1993 and the Series 22 HPV was in production later that year.

The next area of international expansion was the Pacific Rim. Bray Australia opened in December of 1993 with Bray China and Bray Hong Kong following in January and September of 1995, respectively. These countries represent some of the fastest growing economies in the world and offer enormous opportunities.

Two control products, the Series 52 2N1 ProxSensor introduced in March 1995, and the Series 70 R4 Electric Actuator in February 1996, are both marked by their innovative features and state-of-the-art design. In October 1996 we introduced the Series 70 Fieldbus Foundation Electric Actuator at the ISA exhibition in Chicago. This actuator was named a finalist in Plant Engineering Magazine Product of the Year awards and was also named one of “The Best Products of 1996” by Design News Magazine. These new products, combined with the advanced benefits of our full product line, have established Bray as the technology leader.

Also in October 1996, Bray acquired the Bray/McCannalok line of high performance butterfly valves from McCanna, Inc. This acquisition added a whole new product line of high pressure, high and low temperature butterfly valves.

In April of 1997, Bray received two prestigious certifications. The highlight recognition was the certification of Bray U.S.A. to ISO 9001 quality standards. The certification of compliance was issued by ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc., a worldwide independent certifier. With the previous ISO 9002 certification of Bray U.K. and Bray Canada, along with the certification of Bray Europe in 1997 and Bray China in 1998, we now offer assurance of quality standards worldwide. Bray Mexico has also started the process of IS0 9002 compliance.

The second certification of 1997 was the API (American Petroleum Institute) 607 4th Edition awarded to the Series 40 Fire Safe design. This latest, most severe test, reflects the conditions of a fire in the field. Passing this test gives Bray a tremendous advantage in the Oil and Gas, Refining and Chemical industries.

In 2001, Bray U.S.A., U.K., Germany and China began manufacturing products that comply with the CE (Community of Europe) standards and carry the CE mark. In 2003 Bray received the PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) certification for our products worldwide and carry the PED mark. These approvals continue to be a very important component for our future.

The end of 1998 began a period of directed change and rapid expansion. Effective in October 1998, Bray changed the company name from Bray Valve & Controls to Bray Controls. Though valves still remain an important part of our business, our new name reflects an increasing emphasis on the development and sales of control products.

New divisions were added to the Bray world with the acquisitions of Flow-Tek, Inc. in 1999, followed by Ritepro Corporation and Ultraflo Corporation in the year 2000.

Flow-Tek, Inc., based in Houston, manufactures a full range of ball valves and controls, including 3-Piece, Threaded, Flanged, Multiport and Control valves, actuators and control accessories. Founded in 1983, Flow-Tek has always manufactured high quality products and has sustained excellent growth through the years.

Ritepro, Inc., founded in 1963 and based in Quebec, Canada, produces exceptional 1"- 42" check valves, cam and groove quick couplings, and fluid handling loading and unloading equipment.

Ultraflo, headquartered in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and founded in 1986 produces butterfly valves, controls and hopper tees for the process and transport industries.

In 2000 we expanded our Bray U.S.A. factory and facilities to a total of 110,000 sq. ft., including the Class 1000 clean room for sanitary valve assembly. The new Bray U.K. factory was completed in November of 2000 and a new China factory was finished in 2003. In 2002 we acquired our distributor in the Netherlands and formed Bray Benelux.

Bray Brazil began operations in 2004. In 2005 Bray Japan and a Regional Sales office in Chile were established.

New acquisitions and expansions have added increased diversity and growth to Bray International.

Our control product development has rapidly increased as well. In 2001, Bray developed several industrial serial bus network products: the Series 70 DeviceNet Electric Actuator, the Series 52 Digital Actuator Interface, the Series 66 Analog Actuator Interface and the Series 52 AS-i Digital Actuator Interface. That year Bray also introduced the Series 70 digital Servo Plus II with solid state Servo control. All these microprocessor controlled products are the market of the future.

2002 brought the production of the Series 90/91 Stainless Steel Pneumatic Actuator, and the Series 73 and Series 72 economical Electric Actuators. Additional products introduced were the Series 67 Electro Pneumatic Positioners and the Series 63 Solenoid, both offering advanced control with serial bus network capabilities.

One of our latest product is the Series 92/93 Pneumatic Actuator, with center travel stops. This unit is an updated version of the Series 90.

We have always stated that our initial goal was to become a leader in the butterfly valve and control market worldwide. Bray has met this goal, and – with the addition of our ball valve division – laid the foundation for continued exceptional growth. We believe our future holds unlimited potential for further success, and we will fulfill it.

Our achievement of high performance is the direct result of our employees’ dedication and enthusiasm, our distributors’ knowledgeable service and our customers’ trust and goodwill. We appreciate everyone’s outstanding contribution to the Bray success story.