History

ADAMS – the inventor of the triple-eccentric metallic sealing system

ADAMS has a long history of special designed valves. Karl Adams pursued a unique concept with his idea of a highly versatile valve. Particularly in the case of metallic seals, it was to set new standards in terms of tightness, service life and range of uses. The resourceful company founder was able to implement this idea by means of gradually improving on the original valve technology to arrive at the triple-eccentric sealing system. Current technology enables the valve to move into its final sealing position without friction.

Innovations: successful investments in the future

Throughout the 60-year development of the company, one principle has always remained: the ingenuity with which Karl Adams started the company. Only a few years after registering its first patent, the company patented further innovations, such as the metallic seal for valves. During the following years ADAMS saw the constant development of new products and the enhancement of details that led to a great number of additional patents. This innovative power was constantly underpinned by far-sighted investment decisions in state-of-the-art research and production methods throughout the whole History of ADAMS.

“When I registered the first patent for the triple-eccentric sealing system in 1960, I was convinced it would provide the impetus for opening up a new market. I am pleased to confirm that my conviction was well founded and we were able to convince the sceptics of the time. Our company has always been one step ahead of the competition in the field of valves. We plan and develop products that others often do not believe to be feasible. It is not easy to live up to such high expectations but it is an exciting challenge.”

Karl Adams (1898 - 1983)

2021

Fusion of the `ADAMS Armaturen GmbH´ with the `ADAMS Armaturen Service GmbH´ and `Maschinenbau Kemper GmbH & Co.´

2021

2020

60th anniversary Adams Armaturen

2020

2018

Building of conference room `Pavillion´ outside the office building. Inception of `ADAMS Valves India Private Limited´ in Mumbai

2018

2016

Formation of `Middle East Office´ in Bahrain. Building of a new pressure testing facility for valves up to DN2000 / 80“ and Cl.600

2016

2013

Construction of Workshops 14, with an area of of 900 m2. Incorporation of ‘ADAMS Valves Asia Pte Ltd.´ in Singapoure

2013

2012

Erection of Workshop 13, with an area of 1.200 m2. Formation of ‘ADAMS Valves Australia Pty Ltd.´ in Australia

2012

2010

Celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary and the inauguration of a new plant in Houston, USA.

2010

2009

Further construction of new production buildings equipped with corresponding machinery to make the handling and processing of valves with larger dimensions even simpler. New production building at the ADAMS plant in Herne / Germany

2009

2006

One of the largest (DN 4.250) valves ever produced by ADAMS

2006

2005

Renewed expansion of the Herne plant, including the installation of an additional cryogenic test plant (7.30 x 26 metres) for valves with large dimensions.

2005

1995

Markets of the future were recognised at an early stage: the founding of the “Beijing” offi ce in China and from this point on the continual expansion of business with the People’s Republic.

1995

1993

Initial certification of the ADAMS quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 (EN 29 001)

1993

1990

High temperature test

1990

1988

Founding of ADAMS Valves Inc. in the USA. Based in Houston, Texas, the company builds valves especially for the American market. A new administration building in Herne / Germany.

1988

1982

Introduction of a CAD system in order to work efficiently and with highest precision, computer-aided from the design stage to the controlling of production machines.

1982

1980

OSK valve for power stations, around 1980

1980

1978

Additional production buildings were build and the installation of what at the time was regarded as the extremely innovative CNC production.

1978

1976

Product brochure of ADAMS

1976

1975

Expansion of the Herne plant: valves up to DN 4,000 can now be produced by welding and mechanical production on site.

1975

1972

Purchase of a plant in Herne / Germany, in which the entire production was then to be concentrated. Farsightedness even in those days: the land acquired at the time provided suffi cient space for the future expansion of the company.

1972

1972

ADAMS SCHWEIZ AG in Semeus, Switzerland, was founded with in-house production specialising in valves for hydroelectric power stations.

1972

1969

First foreign representation, the “Benelux” office in Breda, the Netherlands; a first step towards worldwide distribution.

1969

1960

On 1 March Karl Adams founded a company specialised in boiler and apparatus engineering as well as developing special valves. Soon after the company was founded, on 30 July the patent was granted for the triple-eccentric valve.

1960

Sugar and Paper industy