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WIKI ANALYSIS
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Flowserve Corporation (NYSE: FLS) sells the largest number of pumps in the world to the oil and gas, chemical, and power generation industries.[1] During the second quarter of 2008, the company nearly doubled its net income when compared to a year ago by[2] raising sales by over 24%.[3]
The growing demand in water consumption and farm irrigation along with a shrinking supply of freshwater has increased demand for Flowserve's products. Flowserve has benefited from the spike in demand for more power pumps and more accurate valves. The construction of new infrastructure by the oil and gas industry increases demand for the pumps and valves that Flowserve makes.[4]. However, the company is under investigation for violating export laws. Flowserve was fined over $11.5M for past trespasses involving the UN Oil-for-Food program.[5]
Business OverviewFlowserve operates through 3 segments: Flowserve Pump Division (FPD), Flow Control Division (FCD), and Flow Solutions Division (FSD).
Flowserve's products are used in multiple industries, from the oil refining to pharmaceuticals. There is also no individual customer which accounts for more than 5% of the 2007 revenue.[12] However, the company does sell extensively abroad, and it has purchased manufacturing facilities in Asia and the Middle East to lower costs and to be closer to the emerging markets in the region.[12] Revenue from Asia Pacific alone has risen from $189 million in 2005 to $489 million in 2007 - or a 159% increase.[13] The rising revenue is from the company's increasing presence in the Middle Eastern and Asian markets.[6]
| (in thousands of dollars) | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| Operating Income | $154,761 | $166,079 | $198,823 | $239,619 | $409,916 |
| Total Revenue | $2,248,852 | $2,522,489 | $2,695,277 | $3,061,063 | $3,762,694 |
Trends and Forces
US export laws make it difficult for Flowserve to sell abroadBecause Flowserve sells valves that are used by the US military in nuclear operations, it is not allowed to release information or sell similar goods to other customers. In 2006, the company failed a review of compliance with US export regulations and economic sanctions. Legislation enacted in October 2007 increased the penalties for violation to twice the value of the transaction.[14] Between 2001 to 2003, Flowserve personnel recorded false sales under the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. The company falsely claimed that it had delivered goods to Iraq through the program, and it received payment for this exchange. The company was issued over $11.5M in fees and fines from the SEC and the United States Department of Justice for this legal violation.[5]
Growing water shortage increases demand for improved pumps and valvesIn 2007, 26% of the US Southwest was in a state of exceptional drought, the worst drought level used by the National Weather Service.[15] Over 99% of the world's freshwater supply is considered not easily accessible, and China with 20% of the world's population, only has 7% of the world's water.[15] The shortage of accessible water however, is met with a rise in demand in consumption and farm irrigation. Water consumption has doubled every 20 years.[16] As water gets more difficult to procure, more complex and powerful pumps and water systems are necessary to extract the commodity . According to a Goldman Sachs, the US alone needs up to one trillion dollars in additional piping and water treatment plants by 2020 to deal with the rise in demand and fall in supply.[17]
Expensive oil requires more pipes and pumpsThe rise in oil prices has driven up the profit margins on oil and gas drilling. This means that oil and gas companies can now drill smaller and more isolated reserves while still making a profit. These distant reserves require more extensive oil pipelines and pumps to get the crude oil to refineries at low prices.[4] Transcanada Pipelines (TRP) announced in March of 2008 that it plans to build a large "bullet" pipeline to quickly and cheaply move crude oil to the refineries on the Gulf Coast.[18] The Canadian National Energy Board also announced in June 2008 that the Canadian Oil Pipeline is reaching maximum capacity, and it requires new faster pumping system.[19] The demand for new, faster pipelines contributed to Flowserve's growth in 2007 and 2008, and has the opportunity to continue the trend of increasing sales in the oil and gas industry.[20]
CompetitionFlowserve competes against other large conglomerates which produce a range of goods. However, Flowserve is one of the few to have an extensive international base and to specialize in fluid control. Flowserve's most prominent competitors consist of:
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