Houston, Texas, December 5, 2018 – Elite Controls, Inc. (ECI) is proud to announce accreditation as a UL 508A Certified panel shop.  The ECI team completed the necessary training and process inspection for UL 508A certification on November 23, 2018.

The UL 508A certification is the standard for industrial control panels, allowing ECI to bid on a wider variety of projects. UL 508A certification enhances customer confidence, confirming that ECI adheres to proper component usage, enclosure environmental ratings, wiring & motor protection, safety markings & conformance to the National Electric Code (NEC) and Canadian Electrical Code (CEC).

The aspect of UL certification requires processes to optimize all facets of operation, allowing ECI to deliver high quality panels more quickly to customers.  ECI also has technical training and resources available through the UL advisory resources.

“Since the inception of Elite Controls, Inc. in 2015, we’ve been continually working to add capabilities and optimize efficiency for our panel shop,” said Scott Jones, president of ECI. “I’m thrilled with our team for successful completion of this certification, and I am excited about our increased ability to serve current customers while furthering our capability for future projects.”

ECI provides complete automation systems, specializing in Danfoss PLUS+1 and Eaton ProFX mobile controls and builds custom mobile and industrial control panels.  In addition, ECI sells a wide array of electrical & electronic components including electric motors, variable frequency drives and various sensor products. With a 17,000 ft² state of the art facility in Houston, Texas, they have capacity to design and build panels for a wide range of applications.

“We are honored to have Elite Controls as part of our employee-owned family of companies,” says Richard Neels, president of ECI’s parent, Employee Owned Holdings, Inc. “They enhance our ability to offer fully electric and electrohydraulic systems, and with over 45 years of combined experience, the team is capable of handling the most basic panel designs to the most complex applications.”

EOHI is a 100% employee owned company based in Houston, Texas and the parent of Hydraquip, Inc., Supreme Integrated Technology, Inc. Elite Controls, Inc., and GCC collectively with locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon.

Tampa, FL – On November 30^th, 2018, Gulf Controls Company, Inc. acquired the assets of the Fluid Power division of the California-headquartered Valin Corporation. Valin Fluid Power is a value-added distributor of hydraulic, pneumatic and electric products, with locations in Kent, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Spokane, Washington.

Valin Fluid Power will continue operating with the same employees and location, as a northwest division of Gulf Controls Company, although as a result, the entire company will be rebranded as “GCC”. The name “GCC” was chosen because of its ability to maintain identity for Gulf Controls customers in the Gulf Coast Region, yet allow expansion without geographic affiliation, as to provide a united front with key vendors and customers.

“We are excited about the synergies between vendors and the Bosch Rexroth partnership shared by both companies,” stated John Flieman III, CEO of GCC f/k/a Gulf Controls Company. “Today marks a significant milestone for the continued growth and success of our newly rebranded company, GCC.”

“This company has a long history of serving fluid power production and needs in the northwest region,” says Rod Longnecker, President of GCC. “This acquisition will allow us to diversify into new geographical territory and new markets while enhancing our skill set to better serve our current customers.”

Valin’s Fluid Power division joins the family of 100% employee owned companies operating under Employee Owned Holdings, Inc. (EOHI)., EOHI is the parent company for GCC and other U.S. fluid power companies: Hydraquip, Inc., Supreme Integrated Technology, Inc., and Elite Controls, Inc.

“We believe Valin’s Fluid Power division to be a fantastic addition to EOHI, as they come from another 100% employee-owned company, and they have already demonstrated their excellent ownership attitude and drive,” commented Richard Neels, President and CEO of Employee Owned Holdings, Inc.  “We are thrilled that the leadership at Valin Corporation is entrusting us with their dedicated and talented employees.