Denver, CO (30th January 2023): GPT Industries (GPT) – the world’s leading manufacturer of critical pipeline sealing and electrical isolation products – is excited to announce that we have been acquired by Branford Castle Partners II, L.P. Branford Castle is a private market investor focusing on lower-middle-market investments, with a more than 30+ year history of helping businesses to grow.

Since 2012, GPT (formally Pikotek® & PSI®) has been an operating division of Enpro industries (NYSE:NPO). We would like to acknowledge their support and guidance and wish them continued success in the future.

Branford Castle Partners brings a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in industrial/specialty manufacturing and a proven history of building strong relationships. Branford has teamed up with existing management to build the newly independent company.

GPT will continue to be led by Darin Lane and supported by his existing leadership team. Darin will be in the role of President of GPT Industries. Commenting on the sale Darin said, “We look forward to our next stage of growth in partnership with Branford” and “With Branford’s support, we are ready to hit the ground running with our growth initiatives”.

This exciting new chapter will allow GPT to strengthen our portfolio of industry leading Isolation and sealing solutions. Positioning us to develop and grow in new markets and geographies while enabling us to better serve our existing customers and channel partners.

As we transition away from Enpro industries, GPT leadership team would like to reassure our valued customers and channel partners that operating conditions will not be affected. We appreciate your continued support as we build and grow a stronger future together.

The balance between oil production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a difficult one to strike; fortunately new technologies can help reduce pipeline emissions in a way that helps oil and gas companies keep pipelines flowing. In this whitepaper, we examine the role of flange isolation kits in improving pipeline emissions.

An oil and gas operator located in Australia approached GPT Industries as they were encountering an issue with two flange connections that were experiencing leakage issues within hours of installation. On closer inspection it became clear that the leakage was not coming from the flange face but was in fact a result of the media permeating through the body of the gasket.

A long-established midstream oil and gas operator had been experiencing long term issues with Phenolic isolation gaskets. They approached GPT seeking a solution that would give them longer service life at several compressor stations with differing pipeline sizes, ranging from 4” to 20”NPS.

The issues encountered came as no surprise to GPT, Phenolic insulation gaskets have been persistently plagued by several failure modes.
Namely: embrittlement, permeation, poor dielectric values, electrical bridging and cracking due to over torquing.

A water authority situated in Texas approached GPT industries to support a large-scale project with the aim of shifting underground well water to surface water. The project which spans 79.8 miles of pipeline, was mandated with reducing groundwater reduction to 60% surface water by 2025, and 80% by 2035.

Eliminating leakage and ensuring long term efficiency of the pipeline was of paramount importance if they wanted to meet the targets laid out. Flange connections were identified as key consideration due to the potential risks posed from leakage and corrosion.

GPT_EVO_Electrical Bridging_06.2022(F)A problem that is becoming more and more common place in industry is electrical bridging. For years, this customer has battled losing isolation across the flange isolation kit, not because of a gasket failure or mis-installation, but instead because of the media itself but instead due to the media itself going through the line. In these lines, solid conductive deposits build up at the flange intersection, allowing CP current to take this path, jumping the isolation kit, and continuing to the next flange.