Victaulic, which produces mechanical pipe joining solutions and grooved pipe joining systems, has been honored by the 2015 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards.

A Lehigh Valley manufacturer received a prestigious national recognition last month: Victaulic was named one of the top eight manufacturing plants in North America by IndustryWeek.

The Forks Township-based company, which originated and produces mechanical pipe joining solutions and grooved pipe joining systems, was one of only eight plants in the country to be honored by the 2015 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards.

“Their drive for continuous improvement in all phases of their operations is a testament to the commitment of their managers and employees to combine talent, technology and operational excellence to meet the needs of demanding customers here and around the world,” said Patricia Panchak, IndustryWeek editor-in-chief.

Eric Luftig, vice president for Victaulic, said the company and its employees were honored to receive the award.

“This recognition acknowledges Victaulic’s commitment to manufacturing excellence and continuous safety improvements,” he said. “More importantly, our world-class operations team has worked hard to improve quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction to exceed the needs of our customers.”

Founded in 1919, Victaulic originated the piping industry concept of a mechanical bolted coupling that would engage into grooves and use a gasket seal. The company has 14 major manufacturing facilities and 29 branches worldwide with 3,600 employees, as well as more than 1,900 global patents.

Luftig said every aspect of the manufacturing process at the Forks Township facility focuses on product quality and facility excellence.

“We have set processes and measurements in place across key operational parameters including safety, productivity, quality, and service to run a very effective business,” he said. “These measurements are consistent across all of our facilities around the world. No matter where our products are made, our customers can expect the same level of quality performance and service from Victaulic.”

Over a seven-year period, Victaulic has reduced injuries by over 87 percent at the plant, as well as fully implementing lean principles across all aspects of their business, enabling the highest level of quality and service for its customers, Luftig said.

This is not the only award Victaulic has recently received. In 2015 alone, the company and its employees was recognized with a total of 24 awards for safety, leadership, and product innovation. It ranked first in the Large Employers category of the Morning Call’s Top Workplaces 2015 awards program, and several new products have been named finalists in the Edison Awards and Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine’s Product of the Year awards.

Looking ahead, Luftig said Victaulic’s new offerings will include the company’s first steam joining system, a suite of high-density polyethylene solutions that allow for fast and reliable assembly, and fire protection solutions that provide design flexibility and installation productivity for our customers.

“In 2016, Victaulic will continue to focus on new product innovation and technology platforms that will support the future growth of the company,” he said.

The full list of 2015 IndustryWeek Best Plant Award winners include:

• Applied Technical Services Corp. (Everett, Wash.)
• Bard Shannon Ltd. (Humacao, Puerto Rico)
• Camcraft Inc. (Hanover Park, Ill.)
• Carrier Transicold North America (Athens, Ga.)
• DePuy Synthes (Raynham, Mass.)
• MasterCraft Boat Company (Vonore, Tenn.)
• Pratt & Whitney – North Berwick Parts Center (North Berwick, Maine)
• Victaulic (Easton, Pa.)