Bursting at the seams

KB Delta broke ground on a new 7500 sq. ft. facility at its Torrance, Calif., headquarters, earlier this year.

That construction, expected to be completed this fall, During the construction of the new 7,500-square-foot facility, the company identified the need for an additional 1,500 square feet of office space. As a result, the project has expanded beyond its initial scope. This follows a 15,000 sq. ft. addition added in 2018. The company also has a 20,000 sq. ft. complex for its thermoplastic plates and rings.

Workers at KB Delta checking inventory. The company, which designs and manufactures interchangeable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts, has been in an expansion mode.

According to George Giourof, chief operating officer of KB Delta, which designs and manufactures interchangeable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts, the company’s expansion mode is far from over.

“We are actively seeking another facility. We have not yet fully engaged with the newest one,” Giourof said. “Our growth trajectory remains strong.”

Burckhardt Compression partnership

Part of the growth spurt can be attributed to KB Delta’s relationship with Burckhardt Compression. Founded in 1844, Burckhardt Compression is a global supplier of reciprocating compressor systems, technologies and services and is headquartered in Switzerland.

The companies have worked together for nearly a decade and a half, but the relationship took a major step forward in 2022.

That’s when Burckhardt Compression and KB Delta signed an agreement in which Burckhardt became a worldwide distributor for KB Delta’s products, such as metallic compressor valve plates and rings, ranging from 1 to 15 in. (25.4 to 381 mm), and high-performance thermoplastic compressor valve parts in PEEK (polyetheretherketone), carbon PEEK, mid temperature, and nylon, including X-Type materials. In addition to thermoplastic and metallic plates, KB Delta provides essential compressor valve peripherals such as locknuts, center bolts/studs, guide pins, lift washers, springs, spring plates, guide rings, O-rings, gaskets, seats, guards, and complete valve assemblies.

George Giourof

Giourof said the partnership helped KB Delta drive sales in European markets. The relationship with Burckhardt—and that company’s reputation for quality—helped open doors, he said.

“We’d worked with them for 12 to 14 years before that,” Giourof said. “Their standards of quality are really through the roof…they know what quality is.

“It’s the kind of thing that keeps you on your toes... you know that you are making the best quality products on the planet, and you can offer your services, your product to anybody on the planet, Giourof said. “It gives you a feeling of confidence knowing that if you’re dealing with Burckhardt, and they’ve chosen you to be their global partner, then they trust you.”

Kevin Cain, vice president, Operations & Information Systems for KB Delta, cited Burckhardt’s processes—like its attention to detail and best-in-class quality assurance—as helping KB Delta improve its own processes over the years that the companies have worked together.

“Initially, meeting their high standards was challenging, but over time, we have flourished with their support,” Cain noted. “Their commitment to excellence has helped us elevate our manufacturing processes.”

Kevin Cain

KB Delta provides components for Burckhardt’s 30 worldwide service centers, which include locations in eastern, central and western Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, China, Japan, South Korea and the Americas.

“Now we’re able to send out parts directly to their global service center, so it gives us brand recognition, they get their customer service faster, because now we’re shipping directly to their global service centers, rather than to Switzerland,” Cain said. “That’s a big thing…it enhances our brand visibility.

“We’re known globally, but we didn’t have as big a footprint,” he said. “Now we’ve got the recognition in the rest of the world outside of the United States, and Burckhardt is gaining recognition here in the United States.”

In 2016, Burckhardt Compression completed the acquisition of a 60% stake in Shenyang Yuanda Compressor, the leading reciprocating compressor manufacturer in China.

Giourof said KB Delta hopes to be supplying parts to that venture.

An OEM experience

Cain said the company’s continued growth can also be attributed to KB Delta’s continued reputation for quality.

The company’s in-house injection molding machines, exclusive molds, metallic laser cutters, CNC machines, proprietary equipment and attention to detail have enabled KB Delta to provide durable, abrasion resistant and stress-free components, Cain said.

KB Delta recently broke ground on a new headquarters. During the construction of the new 7,500-square-foot facility, the company identified the need for an additional 1,500 square feet of office space.

Giourof said KB Delta’s reputation with customers has helped the company grow as well.

“Burckhardt has been a key for us, but our U.S. customer base has been growing, too,” Giourof said. “We’re hearing from many of them that they consider us kind of like their OEM…that’s something that we hear more and more from our customers.”

Cain said KB Delta prides itself on providing fast delivery to customers and offering quality parts for their compressors.

Giourof said Burckhardt is focusing heavily on clean energy—particularly hydrogen technology. That’s another area of potential growth for KB Delta, he said.

“For Burckhardt, clean energy and hydrogen are a big commitment for them, it’s truly important,” Giourof said. “It’s not as big right now in the U.S., but we know it’s not going away.”

Giourof said KB Delta has been working with Burckhardt on valve plate technology related to hydrogen applications.

Though details remain under wraps, Giourof expressed optimism about the future of this collaboration.

“We’re grateful that Burckhardt chose us as a partner moving forward in the hydrogen field,” he said.