About Us

ValveMan is a proud member of the FSW Group, a 3rd-generation, family-owned collaboration of B2B companies servicing the process control sector. Since 1965, we've been delivering tailored valve solutions backed by deep expertise, lasting relationships, and cutting-edge technology.

Mission

We are the trusted partner across the process control sector delivering tailored solutions through expertise, relationships, and technology.

Vision

The FSW Group is proud to be a 3rd-generation, family-owned collaboration of B2B companies servicing the process control sector. The Group grows businesses by:

• Having fun and being kind
• Having a highly knowledgeable and engaged team
• Pursuing strategic growth opportunities
• Building and improving processes
• Leveraging technology

We have the best B2B customer experience in the world by:

• Driving continuous improvement
• Flawless execution
• Customer-focused experience that blends high-touch sales with technology
• A deep bench of product expertise

Our team doesn't just work here—they build careers, grow with us, and shape the future of the FSW Group.

Core Values

Integrity: Do what's right. Do what you say.

• Do what's right, especially when it's hard
• Act with honesty, transparency, and fairness with teammates, customers, and partners
• Keep your word
• Treat people with respect and empathy

Supportive: Win together. Grow Together.

• Show up with honesty, respect, and care
• Listen well, challenge constructively, grow together
• Value open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and shared wins
• Care deeply about our home families and the family we've built together at work
• Win together, not alone
• Communicate clearly, early and often
• Hold each other accountable with respect

Ambition: Continually Level Up.

• Bring your A game to work each day
• Level up professionally, continually
• Create memorable experiences for individuals and customers
• Win through discipline and a team-first mindset

Entrepreneurial Spirit: See it. Solve it. Own it.

• Take initiative and solve problems
• Plan, execute, adapt, learn, repeat
• Continually move the business forward
• Own the outcome, not the checkbox
• Improve continually

Our Story

ValveMan Early Beginnings

We're often asked, "How did you get into the valve business?" The truth is...it's in our blood. It all started on an oil tanker traveling around the world. Fred Welsford Sr., then the youngest captain in the United States Merchant Marines, always loved going into the boiler room while on the ship. After World War II ended and he retired from the Merchant Marines, he needed a job; soon after he found himself selling industrial valves. The F.S. Welsford Company started in 1965, in the basement of Fred and Ethel Welsford's modest home in Philadelphia, PA. They were business owners with a young family who quickly gained a reputation for supplying top quality valves, backed by deep engineering expertise, in the Philadelphia, PA market, all while offering unparalleled customer service.

Moving On Up...

Over the years, the business continued to grow. And, in 1983 Fred and Ethel Welsford moved their business out of the basement of their Philadelphia home to its current location at 310 Commerce Drive in Exton, PA. However, they did not come alone. They were joined by their sons, Gil Welsford Sr and Fred Welsford Jr, who would now be accompanying them on their journey through the valve industry. Learning the business from a young age, Gil and Fred, grew the business by adding additional team members and focusing on culture. 

Because of his remarkable knowledge, expertise, and passion for valves and unforgettable personality, Gil Sr quickly became known throughout the valve industry as simply "Valve Man".

In 2006 Gil Sr. and his wife Christina became the sole owners of the F.S. Welsford Company. Like his father before, Gil Sr. would soon begin grooming his own son to follow in his footsteps to become the next ValveMan.

They began expanding the sales and the company's already impressive product line, deepening and developing relationships with such manufacturers as: Bonomi Valves, TRIAC, GC Valves, Control Air, A-T Controls… and later Apollo valves, NOSHOK, ASCO, Red White Valve, DMIC valves, Orbinox, SVF Valves, Watts, and many more. 

The business has not just been grown by the Welsford family, they have been blessed to grow the family business with an amazing team. The Company has grown from the sole employees being Fred and Ethel to now employing over 30 full time staff. The F.S. Welsford Company could not have grown without the family culture that is fostered every single day. Each and every employee that joins the team does not just join a company, they join a family.

Generation Number Three - Enter Gilbert Welsford Jr. and Jason Welsford

In 2010, in hopes of following the family legacy of being an “industrial valve guy”, Gilbert Jr launched a wholly owned subsidiary of the F.S. Welsford Company- ValveMan. ValveMan has taken the company beyond its PA, NJ, DE roots to be a national distribution company powered by ecommerce. The company sells in all 50 states of the United States and supports international clients as well. 

Jump forward to today—brothers Gilbert Welsford Jr and Jason Welsford, who began learning the family business as kids sitting on his father's office floor, playing with a 3-piece ball valve as their toy are taking over the reigns of both companies. In 2023, the duo rebranded F.S. Welsford Co. to Welsford and created an umbrella company that oversees both Welsford and ValveMan called the FSW Group- an homage to their Poppop- Frederick S. Welsford. 

Jason Welsford is the president of the FSW Group, and Gilbert Jr is the CEO of ValveMan. Gilbert Jr. and Jason are on the same path as their father to become the next generation of valve experts in the family, while Gil Sr. continues to take pride in the company's forward thinking culture and product expansion.

As always, incredible service backed by deep product expertise is the bedrock of how the company operates. 

The Heartbeat of ValveMan: Our Team

At ValveMan, our story is one of dedication, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. While our legacy traces back to the 1960s, and our journey has been marked by excellence, innovation, and growth, there's one element that remains unchanged: our unwavering commitment to our team. From the early days in the basement of Fred and Ethel Welsford's home to our current expansive operations, every milestone we've achieved has been powered by the collective efforts of our team members.

Our team isn't just a group of employees; they are an integral part of the ValveMan family. Each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and passion to the table, ensuring that we consistently deliver top-notch products and unparalleled customer service. As we've grown and evolved, our team has been the cornerstone of our success, embodying our values and driving our vision forward.

We invite you to get to know the faces and stories behind ValveMan. Discover the dedicated professionals who make us who we are and share our commitment to excellence. Meet our team here and join us in celebrating the people who are at the heart of our success.