Atlas Copco names general manager for StraightFlo valves

Atlas Copco Compressors has appointed Brian Bertelsen as general manager for its StraightFlo valves business, expanding his responsibilities as the company looks to build on global demand for advanced reciprocating compressor valve technology.

Brian Bertelsen

Bertelsen, who previously served as senior vice president of sales and marketing, will oversee worldwide growth, product development and operations for StraightFlo valves. His role includes leadership of the company’s manufacturing and operations center in Houston.

Bertelsen brings more than three decades of experience in compression, polymers and industrial equipment. Before joining Atlas Copco, he served as president of NEAC Compressor Service USA at Neuman & Esser Group, vice president of sales and marketing at CDI Energy Products, and as a senior machinery reliability engineer at Eastman Chemical Co. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

In a statement, Bertelsen said the appointment comes at an important moment for operators seeking performance gains and cost reductions. “The markets we serve in energy, manufacturing and other industries face increasing economic and operational pressures,” he said. “StraightFlo valve technology represents a strategic opportunity to deliver meaningful advances in performance and service life while significantly reducing life cycle costs.”

He said that operators have long dealt with expensive cycles of valve repair and replacement. The StraightFlo design, introduced as a drop-in alternative to conventional valves, has been positioned as a solution for operators seeking efficiency improvements without major modifications to existing equipment.

Bertelsen added that the business intends to strengthen its engineering and manufacturing capabilities while leveraging Atlas Copco’s global support structure. StraightFlo valves became part of the Atlas Copco portfolio in 2024.

Atlas Copco describes StraightFlo valves as an innovation in reciprocating gas compression, with patented designs in more than 30 countries and deployments across energy, industrial and technical gas applications. According to the company, the technology has delivered gains in efficiency, power consumption, reliability, serviceability and emissions performance.

Based in Houston, the StraightFlo valves business forms part of Atlas Copco Group’s broader offering of industrial technologies, equipment and services.