UTEX Industries
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing, Sealing solutions |
| Predecessor | Universal Packing and Gasket |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Piotr Galitzine (CEO), Wellon Pierre (VP of Operations) |
| Products | Sealing solutions including gaskets, O-rings, molded packings and seals, mechanical seals, braided packings, rubber-molded items, mechanical seal repair services |
Number of employees | 600+ |
| Parent | Riverstone Holdings |
UTEX Industries, Inc. is an American manufacturer headquartered in Houston, Texas, specializing in sealing solutions tailored for the oil and gas sector. Originally established in 1940 under the name Universal Packing and Gasket, the company adopted the UTEX Industries brand in 1969. Over the years, UTEX has undergone several changes in private equity ownership: it was acquired by Grey Mountain Partners in 2005, transferred to Audax Group in 2007, then sold to Rhône Group in 2010, and ultimately purchased by Riverstone Holdings for $825 million in 2013.
History
Since its inception in 1940, UTEX pioneered the development of the first nonadjustable plunger packing material in 1964. This product featured a novel combination of nitrile rubber and nylon designed specifically for sealing reciprocating pumps, highlighting the company's dedication to advanced sealing technologies.
UTEX’s growth strategy has incorporated both geographic diversification and operational streamlining. The opening of a sales office in Singapore occurred in 2011, followed by manufacturing expansion there by 2014. By that time, UTEX operated eight manufacturing facilities—seven located within Texas and one situated in Northumberland, England—with a workforce exceeding 600 employees.
Private equity investments have played a significant role in shaping UTEX’s corporate framework, enabling expansion and enhanced market presence. The company’s subsidiaries—Accuseal, Applied Rubber Technology, Arefco, and SteelTex Fabricators—contribute to its leadership position in sealing technology innovation. Strategic direction has been guided by executives such as CEO Piotr Galitzine and VP of Operations Wellon Pierre, who emphasize global growth and product development.
Acquisitions
UTEX expanded its capabilities through several key acquisitions. In 1994, it incorporated Applied Rubber Technology into its operations. Five years later, it acquired the AccuSeal brand along with the polymeric seal division from Corrosion Control Corporation, relocating AccuSeal's activities to Houston near UTEX’s headquarters. In 2014, the company launched Utex AccuSeal do Brasil Ltda to serve the South American oil and gas market.
In 2008, UTEX diversified its product range by acquiring CAM Specialty Products, a urethane manufacturer serving oil and gas industries, alongside DuraQuest, a producer of molded rubber components and drilling shock absorbers.
The company enhanced its international presence with the 2011 acquisition of Arefco—a seal manufacturer based in Northumberland founded in 1978 and employing 58 staff members as of 2014.
Further expanding its product offerings, UTEX purchased Steeltex in 2016, recognized for its Core-X® plungers and pony rods. In 2017, UTEX extended beyond sealing products by acquiring Energy Products, Inc. (EPI), a Tulsa-based firm specializing in fabrication, distribution, logistics, and warehousing services for leading well service clients.
Products
UTEX Industries and its affiliated companies produce a comprehensive array of sealing solutions including gaskets, gasket sheets, advanced O-rings, molded packings and seals designed for reciprocating pumps and hydraulic systems. Their portfolio also encompasses mechanical seals, braided packings, customized rubber-molded items, as well as mechanical seal repair services.