Released on June 3, 2010

Valve and fitting manufacturer Conbraco Industries Inc., Matthews, N.C., which operates two metalcasting facilities, recently was purchased by Aalberts Industries, Doorn, Netherlands.

Conbraco produces Apollo-branded equipment, including ball valves and other water conduction products. The company’s metalcasting facilities are in Pageland, S.C., and Conway, S.C.

“Conbraco and Aalberts’ similar culture of being vertically integrated is one of the important factors that brought us together,” Conbraco President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Mosack wrote in a letter to customers. “Our commitment to U.S. manufacturing and in particular our state-of-the-art [metalcasting] operations will continue to be one of our core competencies.”

According to Mosack’s letter, Conbraco was sold “to ensure [its] long-term strength and viability in the worldwide marketplace.”

“After three or four months of discussion…we decided it was in the best interest of our family, our shareholders, our employees and our customer base to join the Aalberts family group,” Mosack wrote.

According to Mosack, Aalberts will maintain Conbraco’s existing management structure and continue to operate the business as usual. Aalberts’ portfolio includes more than 150 companies focusing on industrial services and flow control. Mosack said the two companies would combine their sales and marketing efforts to expand their offerings to the wholesale and retail markets.