Why Downtime Costs More Than You Think: The Hidden Value of Velvetrol® Technology

In industrial and municipal operations, we often focus on the upfront cost of components. But here's the reality that keeps plant managers up at night: it's not the cost of the valve—it's the cost of downtime, emergency repairs, and system failures that can devastate your bottom line.

After 75 years of manufacturing solenoid valves and working directly with maintenance teams, engineers, and operators across wastewater, industrial, and critical infrastructure applications, we've seen firsthand how the right valve technology can be the difference between predictable operations and costly emergencies.

The Real Cost of "Just Good Enough"

When a solenoid valve fails in a wastewater treatment plant, production line, or critical system, the meter starts running immediately:

• Emergency labor costs (often at overtime or premium rates)
• Production or treatment downtime (measured in thousands per hour)
• Expedited shipping for replacement parts
• Collateral damage to downstream equipment
• Regulatory penalties in municipal applications
• Stress and disruption to your maintenance team's schedule

A recent conversation with a water treatment facility revealed they experienced a valve failure that cost over $50,000 in downtime and emergency response—all from a component that cost less than $500.

What Makes Velvetrol® Different?

Velvetrol® is Gould's proprietary internal piston pilot-operated technology, and it's a standard feature on nearly all Gould valves. While competitors use packed gland designs or basic direct-acting mechanisms, Velvetrol® delivers something fundamentally better: engineered reliability that extends equipment life and minimizes maintenance intervention.

Key Advantages of Velvetrol® Technology:

1. Packless Design = Zero Packing Gland Failures
Traditional valves use packing glands that wear, leak, and require constant adjustment. Velvetrol®'s packless internal piston design eliminates this failure point entirely. No packing adjustments. No gradual deterioration. No leakage over time.

2. Internal Piston Pilot Operation = Consistent Performance Across Pressure Ranges
The pilot-operated mechanism provides positive shutoff with minimal pressure differential (as low as 5 PSI) while handling pressures up to 1,200 PSI in certain configurations. This means reliable operation whether you're starting up, running at capacity, or experiencing pressure fluctuations.

3. Full-Port Flow = Maximum Efficiency
Full porting minimizes pressure drop and turbulence, reducing energy costs and extending the service life of both the valve and your media. Whether you're controlling water, steam, light oils, or corrosive fluids, unrestricted flow translates to better system performance.

4. Proven Durability in Harsh Environments
Available in bronze, 316 stainless steel, with NEMA 4X watertight coil enclosures (and NEMA 7 explosion-proof options), Velvetrol® valves withstand the punishing conditions of wastewater treatment, outdoor installations, and corrosive environments where inferior valves fail prematurely.
 

Why This Matters to Your Operation

For Maintenance Managers: Velvetrol® technology means fewer emergency calls, reduced spare parts inventory, and longer intervals between rebuilds. Our rebuild kits are straightforward, and many facilities report 10-15+ years of service life on properly maintained valves.

For Plant Operators: Consistent, leak-proof performance means you can focus on optimizing your process, not troubleshooting valve issues. And when you need support, you're working with a family-owned company where customer service isn't just a department—it's our culture.

For Engineers & Specifiers: Velvetrol® gives you design confidence with precise specifications, wide operating ranges (1/8" to 3" NPT, temperatures from -40°F to 450°F), and the ability to handle diverse media. Plus, our valves meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) certification requirements for municipal projects.

For Procurement Professionals: While Velvetrol® valves cost nearly the same as commodity alternatives, the total cost of ownership tells a dramatically different story. Factor in extended service life, reduced downtime, lower maintenance costs, and same-day shipping on most configurations, and the ROI becomes undeniable.

Gould Solenoid Valves: A Legacy of Quality

Since 1951, Gould has manufactured high-quality solenoid valves in Indianapolis, Indiana—building a reputation on precision engineering, rigorous testing, and standing behind every valve we ship. We're a fourth-generation family business where many employees have 30-40+ years with the company. That's not common in today's manufacturing landscape, but it speaks to our commitment to quality and the pride every team member takes in the Gould name.

Our product line includes:

• M Series: Bronze construction with NEMA 4X watertight coils (standard), perfect for general service, water, air, light oils, and steam
• Q Series: Bronze with multiple NEMA options (1, 4, 5, 7), offering flexibility for various environmental and hazardous location requirements
• K Series: Investment-cast 316 stainless steel for corrosive service and high-pressure applications up to 1,000 PSI
• Custom Solutions: When standard won't work, we manufacture custom valves based on your exact specifications
  
  

All featuring Velvetrol® technology as standard.

The Bottom Line

The solenoid valve controlling your critical process isn't just a component – it's a risk management decision. Every valve in your system is either protecting your uptime or threatening it.

Velvetrol® technology represents three-quarters of a century of engineering refinement, field-proven reliability, and a packless design that simply outperforms traditional valve architectures. When you specify Gould, you're not just buying a valve—you're buying peace of mind, predictable operations, and a partner who answers the phone when you need support.
 

Ready to reduce downtime and improve reliability in your operation?

Whether you need a standard configuration or a custom solution for a challenging application, we're here to help you find the right valve for your specific requirements.