IMI Invests $38 Million in New US Control Valve Facility

Summary

January 2025 - IMI has unveiled plans for a new $38m manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California, USA.

The new site, which will predominantly support its IMI CCI brand of actuator and control valves, will offer an improved space for employee collaboration, wellbeing and productivity. Investment will also be made to reduce the new facility’s environmental impact.

Construction will be self-funded through the sale of IMI’s current facility in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, with the company aiming to complete the move by the beginning of 2026.

Employee engagement is a key focus for the new site. It will feature more collaborative and flexible work areas with better lighting and climate control, as well as outdoor space and recreation areas. The move will also streamline manufacturing operations, providing faster technical responses and shorter lead times for IMI’s customers in both nuclear and conventional power industries.

Kevin McKown, Process Automation president for the Americas, at IMI said: “Our move to Lake Forest represents an important step for IMI. This new site will allow us to better serve customers with investment into our highly skilled staff and the latest manufacturing capabilities. It will modernize our processes and provide a critical space for us to develop breakthrough engineering in two of our key markets.”

Further investments will include a state-of-the-art solar power system and additional technology to increase productivity, improve energy consumption and reduce hazardous waste streams.

“We recognize the importance of practising what we preach,” added Kevin. “As we invest in our colleagues, we’re also investing in IMI’s ability to operate more sustainably and efficiently over the coming years. “The solar power system along with other modernization efforts is testament to our commitment to futureproofing the business. By establishing a new centre of excellence in Southern California, we will be able to grow even as the demands of our customers change.”

About IMI

IMI plc, the specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products that control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital processes to operate safely, cleanly, efficiently and cost effectively. The Group works with industrial customers across a range of high growth sectors, including energy, transportation and infrastructure, all of which are benefiting from the impact of long-term global trends including climate change, urbanization, resource scarcity and an ageing population. IMI employs over 12,000 people, has manufacturing facilities in more than 20 countries and operates a global service network. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE100.