Severn Group, one of Britain’s longest-established valve manufacturers, has been acquired for $480 million by
Valmet, a Finland-listed global industrial leader. Contour Holdings International Ltd, known as “Severn Group”, is the holding corporation for Severn Glocon, ValvTechnologies and LB Bentley. This sale follows Severn’s successful global expansion strategy led by its largest investor,
Bluewater, and marks an exciting new phase in the company’s growth journey. The global expansion of manufacturing locations in India and USA, positions Severn as a complementary fit within Valmet’s existing footprint.
Severn Group’s CEO Perttu Louhiluoto said: “We are proud to welcome Valmet as our new owners and look forward to building on the strong foundations laid over recent years. Thanks to Bluewater’s visionary leadership, Severn Group has grown from a British manufacturer in the energy space into a global industrial business with a truly international footprint.
“As we look ahead, the scale and breadth of the global opportunities in front of us are greater than ever and ones we cannot fully unlock alone. Joining Valmet positions us to accelerate our growth, expand into new markets, and deliver even greater value to customers worldwide. We are excited about this next phase of Severn’s journey.”
‘Lead the Way’ strategy]Thomas Hinnerskov, president and CEO of Valmet, added: “This acquisition marks a significant step in the execution of Valmet’s ‘Lead the Way’ strategy, strengthening our ‘Process Performance Solutions’ segment and expanding our ‘Flow Control’ business. Severn’s strong capabilities and proven track record in severe service for demanding applications make it an excellent strategic fit for Valmet. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to deliver lasting customer value over the life-cycle. We are proud to welcome Severn’s skilled and dedicated employees to Valmet.”
Under Bluewater’s strategic guidance, Severn Group transformed from a predominantly upstream oil and gas business (73% in 2020) into a diversified global industrial company, expanding into over 12 new sectors and quadrupling earnings.
Tom Sikorski, founding partner of Bluewater, concluded: “We are pleased to hand Severn Group over to such a capable and global owner. Bluewater’s partnership has transformed Severn into a world-class business, and we thank everyone involved for their dedication.
“With the acquisition by Valmet, we think we have found Severn a sustainable and complementary home and the business is now well-positioned to continue its successful journey and deliver long-term value on a global scale.”