Oil and gas companies worldwide rely on the technology and innovation behind every choke valve and actuator from Master Flo Valve. The company works closely with its customers to ensure its products deliver optimal field performance and productivity. "We spend a lot of time with the engineering firms when we perform studies for our products," says Mark McNeill, president of Master Flo Valve. "We try to determine our customers' restrictions, regulations and what they are trying to achieve. We do a lot of detailed work in order to formulate our recommendations." Master Flo is a subsidiary of Stream-Flo Industries, Canada's top wellhead supplier. With about 80 per cent of its output going to the export market, Master Flo quickly developed a global footprint with offices in the United States, Middle East, Britain and Brazil. It also has a strong presence in Southeast Asia with its Indonesia and Malaysia offices established 25 years ago. Backed by strong research and development, Master Flo makes sure it delivers products suitable for demanding surface and subsea environments characterised by high levels of erosion and extreme temperatures and pressures. Master Flo's E-Series choke valves set a new standard in choke performance. Featuring patented design changes in the internal and external components of the valve, the E-Series valve's lifecycle is extended by as much as 100 per cent. Master Flo also worked with suppliers to develop 5CB, a superior tungsten carbide specifically designed to meet the increasing performance requirements of the oil and gas industry. 5CB significantly outperforms other grades of tungsten carbide in terms of resistance to erosion, corrosion and impact. The favourable results of the tests prompted Master Flo to use 5CB as a standard material for all its valve trims. To ensure customers stay on top of technology and productivity, Master Flo has lined up several other innovations with many pending patents. "We see the industry changing constantly and it is critical that you have a robust and field-proven product to protect the people and the environment. This is why Master Flo pushes its engineers to supply the highest quality and optimum product for each customer," McNeill says. "We have to adapt to each of our customers because they are all unique." Master Flo is a privately owned company that takes pride in its staff and their accomplishments and regards all employees as family.