Members of the national Affiliated Distributors wholesale-distributor buying and marketing group can now choose the full line of actuated valves from Bonomi North America.

“For distributors who aren’t into this market, it’s an easy entry,” said Rick Wentzell, marketing director, Bonomi North America.

Wentzell says the Bonomi Group is the only company in the world that manufactures a complete line of its own low-torque, direct-mount high performance ball valves, pneumatic and electric actuators. Because they are designed to accurately fit together, the result is compact, high-performing and competitive valve packages. Years ago, and with the introduction of the ISO standards, Bonomi developed the concept of putting an actuator directly on top of the valve, eliminating the need for a bracket and coupler, which were found to be a common cause of valve failure.

“Since the components are all uniquely designed around each other,” Wentzell explained, “It’s very simple for a distributor to buy the whole package, which includes the valve, the actuator, and other accessories, with just one small part number. We have taken the voodoo out of automation.”

The deal between AD and Bonomi became official Jan. 1. Wentzell, a seasoned veteran in sales and marketing for a couple of other valve manufacturers, has been championing this standardized approach in automated valve packages since opening the American subsidiary of the Italian manufacturer in 2003 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In 2014 Bonomi North America relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bonomi also offers more than just a coordinated automated valve package. For more than 30 years the Italian company has been private labeling brass ball and check valves for numerous U.S. valve companies.

The Bonomi Group represents one of largest ball valve and actuator companies in Italy, and is vertically integrated, making all its own components including forgings, to the tune of 60,000 valves per day. Brands include Rubinetterie Bresciane [RB] brass ball and check valves; Valpres carbon and stainless steel ball valves, and Valbia pneumatic and electric industrial actuators. Bonomi North America maintains an extensive distribution network for these products from its headquarters and a facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

AD includes more than 550 independently owned members, spanning 3,605 locations, seven industries and three countries. The group recently reported an 11 percent increase in member sales across 12 AD divisions, totaling $41.4 billion in 2018. Purchases from AD suppliers grew 13 percent in 2018.

On a same-store basis by industry, 2018 PHCP sales were up 12 percent: industrial/PT sales were up 11 percent; electrical sales were up 5 percent; and building materials were up 4 percent; Canada was up 8 percent, and Mexico grew 10 percent.