How Soon Can You Get a Cla-Val?
Understanding Lead Times and Availability of Cla-Val Control Valves
Over the last several years, we’ve seen long lead times become a significant challenge in our industry. Global supply chain disruptions and lean inventory practices have reshaped expectations around product availability.
As Warren Buffet once put it, “Only when the tide goes out do you learn who’s been swimming naked.” The Covid Pandemic, and more recently tariff uncertainties, have been “tide-out” events for global supply supply chains, and unfortunately, exposed the drawbacks of just-in-time inventory and lean supply chain methodology.
While some manufacturers are experiencing mounting delays, Cla-Val continues to deliver with consistency. Their standard lead times for automatic control valves remain industry-leading — typically 4 to 8 weeks — with options for faster fulfillment when timing is critical (more below). For water professionals balancing tight project schedules and urgent system needs, this kind of reliability isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
How does Cla-Val do it? It comes down to a long-term approach, strategic capacity, and a commitment to customer support.
A Strategic Commitment to Supply Chain Strength
Cla-Val’s ability to maintain short lead times is the result of long term, strategic decisions.
Family-owned with a generational mindset.
As a family-owned company for more than 85 years, Cla-Val isn’t beholden to the shareholder or focused on quick returns. Their approach to inventory and capacity is generational. That means long-term investments, a steady hand in volatile markets, and a willingness to stock what others won’t. In fact, Cla-Val keeps a significant amount of finished goods, components, and raw materials on hand — a decision that’s proven critical in ensuring valve availability even when industry-wide timelines have stretched.
Vertical integration and supplier relationships.
Cla-Val owns two foundries and can handle full machining and fusion-bonded epoxy coating in-house. That means they control each stage of production – from raw iron and casting to finished valve. This vertical integration allows them to reduce dependency on external suppliers and adapt quickly to changing conditions. Where they do rely on outside partners, Cla-Val maintains strong vendor relationships and sources from multiple providers — creating resilience and consistency where others face uncertainty.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Cla-Val?
Here’s what customers can typically expect:
Standard Lead Time:
4–8 weeks for most automatic control valvesCustom or Larger Valves:
6–8 weeks or more depending on complexity, material, and sizeFaster Turnarounds:
We regularly see valves ship quicker, depending on current demand and valve specifications
What if You Need One Sooner?
Fortunately for those situations in which time is of the essence, there are a few ways to get a valve even faster.
1. Cimco-GC Systems Local Inventory
As Cla-Val’s regional representative in the Pacific Northwest, Cimco-GC Systems maintains a deep inventory of parts, pilots, and valve bodies up to 8 inches. We have everything on hand we need to build and ship complete valves — customized with the pilotry you need — often within 24 hours.
Not long ago, we posted about a customer in Oregon that needed a 6" pressure reducing valve operational within 24 hours. Our team assembled a custom Cla-Val 90G-01BYKC that evening and had it ready for pickup the next morning.
2. Cla-Val “Quick Ship” Inventory
Cla-Val has a growing inventory of “Quick Ship” valves – boxed, ready-to-ship valves with standard features — often available for same-day shipment. These valves are built for functionality in several common applications. This is an excellent option for when speed matters and the application is relatively straight forward.
Quick ship Information:
90-01 Pressure Reducing Valves
2”-12” Sizes
Globe Pattern
Ductile iron body
Stainless steel standard trim
150# Flanged
BCPSVYKC Features
Stainless steel pilot system
Standard 30-300 psi spring range
50-01 Pressure Relief Valves
2”-10” Sizes
Globe pattern
Ductile iron body
Stainless steel standard trim
150# flanged
BPVKC Features
Stainless steel pilot system
Standard 20-200 psi adjustment range
124-01 Float Valves
¾” -3” sizes
Globe pattern
Ductile iron body
Stainless steel standard trim
¾” -2” NPT threaded, 3” 150# flanged
AKC Features
Stainless steel pilot system
Standard 20-200 psi adjustment range
3. Cla-Val Expedited Production
For valves that are larger than our local inventory and fall outside Quick Ship configurations, Cla-Val offers expedited production options. For an additional fee, orders can be prioritized and fast-tracked through the factory — with some valves shipping in as little as one week. This is ideal when unique functionality is required, but time is tight. It’s an efficient, priority process that doesn’t compromise lead time for standard orders.
Cla-Val: Ready When You Are
There are a lot of reasons Cla-Val valves are trusted in the water industry—engineering, performance, durability. But their availability is just as noteworthy. In a time when so many manufacturers are pushing lead times out further and further, Cla-Val remains steady.
Standard Cla-Val lead times for automatic control valves are 4–8 weeks.
If you need one faster, call us. We’ll walk you through your options and help you find the best solution for keeping your project on track.