VELCON, established in 1953 as Enfab, Inc., is a pioneer in industrial filtration, with a focus on aviation fuel purification, pipeline filtration, and process filtration. With a slogan of "Pioneering Excellence in Industrial Filtration Since 1953," the company has a rich history of innovation and product development.
The company's founders, Harold Higbee and L.W. (Lu) Taylor, were experienced engineers in the fiberglass sector. Their initial product offerings included fabricated fiberglass components for the 2.75 Rocket, which were supplied to the United States government. VELCON's breakthrough came in 1957 with the development of a proprietary fiberglass filter coalescer, marking the beginning of its leadership in filtration technology.
VELCON's patented Aquacon® water-absorbing cartridges, introduced in 1979, have been instrumental in removing water and dirt from industrial oils and fuels, thus playing a significant role in maintaining the cleanliness and usability of these vital resources. Over the years, the company has continued to focus on product innovation and quality, earning ISO 9001 Certification of Registration in 2000 and qualifications for all three categories of the EI 1581 5th Edition Specification.
In 2009, VELCON was acquired by Sterling Group, LP, a private equity investment firm specializing in controlling interests in basic manufacturing, industrial services, and distribution companies. Under this partnership, the company aims to drive further development and expansion opportunities, leveraging the expertise of the Taylor family and management team who continue to hold significant shares in VELCON.
For industry expansion, VELCON acquired Chemflo in 2009, establishing the "Velcon Process" division to serve petrochemical producers, refineries, transmission companies, gas plants, and food and beverage producers, among other process industries. Additionally, the company constructed a diesel fuel test lab in 2010 at its Colorado facility to validate the performance of its filtration products for the diesel and biodiesel markets.
