Fluid control plays a critical role in everyday life. Gas, water, air, oil – they all need precise control to ensure comfort and safety at home and within an array of industries. Behind the scenes, one family-owned company has spent over seven decades engineering the valves that keep these important systems running.
RuB Inc. is an Italian valve and actuator manufacturer with a global footprint, including a North American headquarters in Minnesota. The company has remained an innovator in the fluid control market for more than 70 years by making products that provide lasting peace of mind. Its dependable solutions improve performance, safety and long-term efficiency, while integrating seamlessly into complex systems in a variety of industries.
“RuB is a family company that brings a personal commitment to everything we build,” said Andres Rodriguez, Vice President. “Our goal is to safeguard people and the planet. We innovate fluid control and work closely with customers to determine their needs and how we can help them, including developing customized products.”
That commitment is why manufacturers across gas, water, air, oil and industrial fluid markets trust RuB’s high-quality valves for industrial and residential applications.
100% Made in Italy
Silvio and Oreste Bonomi founded their valve production company in Lumezzane, Italy, in 1954. RuB, Inc. began operations as a wholly owned subsidiary in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1994, and built a 50,000 square foot distribution hub there in 2014. That facility has a state-of-the-art wireless inventory management system.
Silvio’s sons, Luciano and Sandro, continue the family’s commitment to quality and leadership of the almost 200-employee company. They invest heavily in new technology for machining, assembly, logistics, planning, engineering and customer support.
These investments support RuB’s product range, which includes brass ball valves from 1/8” to 4” in a wide variety of standard and custom configurations. The company produces an average of 45,000 brass ball valves per day at its manufacturing facility in Brescia, Italy. The valves are silicone-free and offer a lifetime warranty.
It also offers stainless steel valves up to 8” and pneumatic and electric actuators compatible with all actuatable valves. This versatility means RuB’s products are found in systems and equipment from leading manufacturers that are used in actuation, industrial (such as chemical plants, refineries and the pharmaceutical industry), gas, pneumatic, drinking water, plumbing and firefighting applications all over the world.
Quality is a Defining Principle
Controlling fluid spillage is critical, whether it’s managing water or protecting the environment from harmful substances. RuB stays at the forefront of the industry because of its continuous investment in automation, advanced technologies and modern materials. The quality work of nearly 200 employees also reflects the company’s deep commitment to craftsmanship.
Every brass ball valve produced undergoes an exclusive 24- to 72-hour double leak test using compressed air at 5 bar. Aligned with EN331 standards for gas valves and applied across all fluid applications, it is a rigorous process designed to detect even the smallest leaks and ensure superior performance under all conditions.
Beyond compliance, RuB continuously refines its quality processes to proudly achieve 99.999% product reliability. Ongoing training in regulations and certifications and adherence to internationally recognized standards for occupational health and safety and environmental management are just some of the ways the RuB brand stands out for reliability and efficiency.
In fact, RuB’s exceptionally high reliability standards mean its brass ball valves are guaranteed for life.
RuB at AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect offers RuB manual ball valves that span everything from compact micro and mini valves that are perfect for tight-space OEM builds to high-flow industrial options engineered for demanding environments.
General purpose models feature rotary, T handle, lockable and spring return handle options to tailor operation to a customer’s particular system needs. Three-way pneumatic models introduce easy circuit switching with integrated exhaust ports and a lockable rotary handle.
For potable water system applications, RuB’s lead-free brass body T292 series valves ensure safe, compliant and long-lasting performance. With a full range of replacement and specialty handles to customize ergonomics and functionality, RuB delivers a comprehensive, ready-to-deploy solution designed to elevate system reliability and simplify integration across industries.
Focus on the Future
A key RuB company value is focusing on the future. One way it does that is by protecting important ecosystems through reforestation projects. In fact, it supports a forest in Kenya that will reach 1,000 trees by the end of 2026, helping ecosystem restoration and supporting local communities.
“We are always looking forward at new ways we can set the standard in fluid control and solve industrial challenges,” said Rodriguez. “The only way to be the best at something is to be highly specialized, and we chose ball valves and actuators. We deliver solutions our customers can trust for a lifetime and will continue that focus that our founders began 70 years ago.”