Gilmore Valve Co.

History

The Company

Management

THE HISTORY

Gilmore Valve Co. is a family-owned business incorporated in 1969 by Sam E. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore was a graduate engineer from Tri-State University in Indiana, who came to Texas in the mid-1950's to make his mark, and associate himself with the growing business of energy. After several years of working for other companies, he created a line of relief valves under the Gilmore Valve Co. name.

Mr. Gilmore's first major breakthrough came when he created a pressure regulating valve to control pressure from a bank of accumulators that supplied the rams on a blowout preventer, (the control device used in oil and gas drilling to shut in a well when required by conditions in the hole). Sam Gilmore's patented designs became the standard for the drilling industry. This led to the development of other control valve componentry of various configurations.

Thoughout the 1960's and 1970's as the energy boom continued, the company flourished, retaining a conservative financial view and carefully managed its growth. Thus when the downturn came to the oil patch in the early 1980's. Gilmore Valve Co. remained solid and financially stable, still able to compete in a diminished market.

During the mid-1980's Sam Gilmore retired. Susan Gilmore Johnson, General Manager of the company since the mid-70's became president and CEO leading the company through the downturn of the late 1980's. At this time, the company expanded its capabilities to encompass high specification, fast turnaround machine shop work. In 1990 Gilmore Valve Co. moved to the present location. Plans began in 1996 with completion in 1998 of the expanded facilities and equipment