Zahroof Valves acquisition update

Zahroof, which designs, services and assembles reciprocating compression valve technology, is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

COMPRESSORTECH2 reached out to both Zahroof and Atlas Copco about the acquisition and what it means for the companies and their customers.

Brian Bertelsen, senior VP of sales and chief commercial officer for Zahroof, said the Atlas Copco deal will provide synergies and the opportunity to grow.

“The Atlas Copco Group has made more than 40 acquisitions in the last two years,” Bertelsen said. “I think they have a unique approach to each company and work to understand their strengths and how, together, we can create synergies and scale the business. The biggest benefit to our customers is the fact that we will continue to be the same great company, but will be supported by a global network of more than 50,000 employees. This means we can bring new innovations to the market quicker, while increasing penetration of our current products into markets where Atlas Copco Group already has a well-established presence.”

‘Admired’ company

Mark Steven, general manager, Atlas Copco Compressors – Houston Product Co., said his company has been keeping an eye on Zahroof.

“Zahroof is a company we have monitored and admired for some time,” Steven said. “We have a unique, very diligent approach to looking at acquisitions and without saying too much about that, the size, scale and technology that Zahroof currently has made the timing right for both parties.”

The acquisition announcement included a reference to the growing hydrogen market and Zahroof will be part of that, Steven said.

An exploded view of Zahroof’s StraighFlo compressor valve. The Houston-based company was purchased by Atlas Copco Compressors.

“Innovation is at the heart of our customer offering, while always looking to provide more complete solutions,” Steven said. “The adding and packaging of the products from Zahroof with our current offering gives us a unique position. We also believe that the two companies will open up new opportunities for each other and we will be able to provide a cohesive go-to market offering for our customers in this space.”

Leveraging technology

Zahroof Valves was founded in 2010 and has 44 employees. The valve technology provided by the company is today mainly used to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency for customers in the oil and gas and petrochemical industry by avoiding unplanned interruptions. Going forward, the technology can be used in many different gas compression applications.

“We can leverage on this technology to further increase the energy efficiency in our gas compressors since less power is required than when using traditional valve technology,” said Vagner Rego, Business Area president Compressor Technique. “We also see potential to use this technology to further develop our product and service offering in the growing hydrogen and carbon capture segments.”

Zahroof developed its original StraightFlo compressor valve using its patented Modular Reed Valve (MRV) technology. The StraightFlo compressor valve is designed to provide superior performance and reliability, exceptional cost savings, and lower emissions than conventional reciprocating gas compressor valves.

Zahroof products are used in various applications, including oil & gas (upstream, midstream and downstream), chemical processing, industrial gases, air, refrigeration, and more.

In 2023, Zahroof Valves had revenues of approximately US$12.5 million. The purchase price was not disclosed. Zahroof Valves will become part of the Oil Free Air division within the Compressor Technique business area operating under Atlas Copco Compressors LLC.