June 4, 2026 — IMI has opened a new process automation manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California, which will house its Southern California operations in a purpose-built site that combines advanced manufacturing capability with a strong focus on sustainability.
The move marks a significant step for the business, which has served the severe service flow control industry for more than six decades. Previously based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, since 1987, the new facility brings together office space and full-scale manufacturing under one roof for over 200 employees across engineering, manufacturing, project management, quality assurance and R&D.
The Lake Forest site, which opened on 30 April 2026, designs, manufactures and services an extensive range of severe service control and isolation valves for customers operating in some of the most demanding environments in the oil and gas, power generation and nuclear sectors. These are specialised industries where precision and safety are paramount, and the new facility has been designed to match that standard.
Sustainability has been at the forefront from the outset. A rooftop and parking lot solar array, soon to be installed, is designed to offset approximately 80 to 90% of the facility's electrical consumption. Heating and appliances are fully electric, with natural gas use limited to welding processes only. The building itself is a greenfield construction built to modern standards with a high-performance insulation envelope and has been designed with LEED certification principles in mind.
Operational improvements have also been built into the move. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) and painting have been outsourced to eliminate hazardous chemicals and remove the facility's largest source of VOC emissions. A laser overlay welder is scheduled for introduction in the second half of 2026, which is expected to substantially reduce welding gas usage. Nine EV charging stations are in place at the time of opening, with the infrastructure in place to expand to 27. Stormwater is managed through an underground retention system and seven modular wetlands that treat runoff before discharge, protecting the surrounding natural environment.
"This facility reflects where IMI is heading as a business. It gives our team the environment and the tools to deliver the critical engineering our customers depend on, while significantly reducing our environmental impact," said Kevin McKown, president of Valve Automation & Digital at IMI. "We work in industries where there is no margin for error, and Lake Forest gives us a platform to continue raising the bar on both performance and sustainability."
For more information about IMI's Process Automation capabilities, click here.
About IMI
IMI is a global leader in fluid and motion control, engineering bespoke solutions that enhance safety, productivity and sustainability across critical industries in energy, automation and healthcare. We work in close partnership with customers to design, build and service high-performance valves, actuators and control systems that solve complex engineering challenges.
Our solutions are a small part of our customers’ systems — but they play a critical role in how those systems perform. By combining deep technical expertise with real customer insight, we deliver solutions that are precisely engineered for impact.
Through our One IMI model, we combine commercial excellence, market-led innovation and continuous improvement to scale what works across the business. By sharing best practice, improving every day and staying close to evolving customer needs, we deliver consistent results and long-term value for our customers, communities and the world we serve.
