The History of AVS

Butterfly valves! In the early nineties we entrenched ourselves as reliable manufacturers to the mining industry. Whether from the coal or the butterflies, we soon got itchy feet.

We purchased Epwin Engineering in 1993. After 3 years, we wanted to sink our business teeth into valve manufacturing and gain more traction, Epwin was the ideal answer to our “what’s next?”.

This was the year we expanded into manufacturing stainless steel non-return valves and supplying cleaning products for the water industry (thanks again, Epwin)

In 1994, we bought SVS. They were an incorporated boiler manufacture company who wanted to focus on their forte which was manufacturing. We wanted to focus on ours, supplying. Coincidence? Nope. A smart move that made business sense.

SVS came with experienced staff and the connection to a network of brands (including the ARI range of valves). We set up a contract to supply SVS as a customer and that was it! Big picture thinking met supply-chain strategy.

After 8 solid seasons, we decided to sell Mineline and allow ourselves room to put even more momentum behind our specialised (and rather ambitious) ambitions.

We fuelled our own impactful shift from a business specialising in manufacturing valves into being specialist valve suppliers. We grew. Got more brands. More suppliers. Complacency didn’t stand a chance this year.

A growing global network meant the opportunity of an expanding global footprint and international partners. What began back then as business negotiations with Mipel (now Deca), Atam, JK, Varimex and Mega, flourished into decade-long, trusted brand partnerships!

Entrade was started in ‘99 and in the same year, the SVS /  ARI contract was up for renewal. We made a calculated business pivot to link core brands to end-users and resellers and by 2000, entrenched ourselves as specialists in quality and service.

SVS bought 100% of Entrade in 2010 and after that, their companies and customer bases began to connect. This was good news all round. Up till this point, SVS and Entrade had been entirely separate. From here on, everything-SVS is supplemented by Entrade (and their great brands like ARI and AOX).

Over the course of a year, we consolidated our complex business systems (personal info, specs and data storage infrastructure) into something way, way less complex. Was it more streamlined and insightful? Absolutely! Does it scientifically prove our IT-team is more intelligent and patient than the average human being? Probably.

Twenty plenty. A year when shiny-new streamlined comms and data management systems were tried, tested, tweaked. And most importantly, trusted. This was a year of honing and sharpening strategy.

SVS and Entrade were formally combined by AVS to operate as a Group. The date was May 2021 D.C. (During-Covid). Coming out proudly is a big deal for anyone. And after a year like 2021, it deserves a celebration on anyone’s timeline.

AVS launched a joint-operated warehouse in Gauteng. From these larger premises, we stock and supply both SVS and Entrade products to streamline service delivery and take customer care to a whole new level.

Oooh, you meant like now, now? Our focus is the same. As AVS, we’re committed to making more time for face-time, prioritising people, products and partnerships and equating success with safety and sustainability.