Our history

The History of AVK and AVK Valves Southern Africa

AVK was founded in 1941 in Galten, Denmark by Aage Valdemar Kjær, initially focusing on plumbing and heating services before expanding into refrigeration compressors and valve manufacturing. Under the leadership of Niels Aage Kjær, AVK transitioned into producing resilient seated gate valves, solidifying its reputation in the water, gas, and industrial sectors.

The guiding principles were quality, customer relations and continuity. He knew that the products were in order, and therefore he was able to offer an extensive product guarantee. In 1970, Aage Valdemar Kjær’s son, Niels Aage Kjær, took over the business from his father and started to develop a resilient seated gate valve destined for the water supply segment. The first series of valves produced by AVK – socket gate valves for PVC pipes - was an important invention that revolutionised the company and formed the basis of the AVK business that we know today. Over time, business objectives were expanded, opportunities were growing, and AVK started to produce and sell not only valves, but also fittings and accessories for water supply, gas supply, wastewater treatment and fire protection.

AVK Valves Southern Africa was established in 1991, marking the company's commitment to serving the Southern African market with high-quality valve solutions. The acquisition of Premier Valves Group in 2014 strengthened AVK’s local presence, leading to the launch of a R200-million valve manufacturing facility in Alrode, Gauteng, in 2016—a major milestone in advancing regional production capabilities. This expansion positioned AVK Valves Southern Africa as a key supplier of valves for water distribution, power generation, and industrial applications.

Further strategic growth included the acquisition of Gunric Valves in 2016, enhancing AVK’s expertise in large-diameter valve manufacturing. Today, AVK Valves Southern Africa remains a leading provider of innovative valve solutions, continuously improving operational efficiency and market competitiveness across the region