Source: Valve World Magazine October 2026 cover story (by Lyndsey Denton Fray, published 2026-09-28). Chinese translation available in the Chinese version. Original: https://valve-world.net/sms-tork-building-the-next-generation-of-actuation/
SMS TORK: backed by its Turkish manufacturing base, focusing on the next generation of electrical actuation (image: Valve World)
For October's cover story, we welcome SMS TORK, where the company shares its expanding capabilities in electrical actuation, green growth and preparing its Turkish manufacturing base for the next stage of development. By Lyndsey Denton Fray, Valve World.
Having featured in several previous cover stories, SMS TORK has already introduced readers to its broad portfolio of valves and actuation technologies. This time, however, the focus is shifting towards what comes next. In our exclusive interview with Ömer Kaya, he explains that the company is increasingly concentrating on electrical actuation, while continuing to invest in manufacturing technology, lean production, digitalisation and sustainability. The result is a story less about individual products and more about how SMS TORK is developing the way it designs, manufactures and supplies them.
Electrical actuators are not the only area where SMS TORK sees growth. The company manufactures a broad portfolio including solenoid and pulse valves, natural-gas products such as regulators and gas valves, pneumatic actuators, including rack-and-pinion and Scotch yoke designs, as well as electrical actuators.
"Electrical actuators and solenoid valves are among the fastest-growing areas of our portfolio," explains Mr Kaya, "with particular demand for explosion-proof solenoid valves. Scotch yoke actuators and safety valves are also experiencing growth."
The company's Turkish manufacturing base is another part of its proposition. SMS TORK generally maintains stock of around 50–100 actuators, while larger quantities can be supplied in approximately four to five weeks. Mr Kaya sees this as an advantage when compared with longer supply chains from the Far East, particularly when customers require products quickly. This proximity is increasingly relevant as the company expands its international activities. Alongside its established Turkish market, SMS TORK is supplying customers internationally and sees opportunities across Europe and the US.
The chemical and water-treatment industries remain SMS TORK's largest sectors. Geothermal applications are another growing area in Türkiye, along with power generation, with the company seeing new opportunities connected with the rapid development of data centre infrastructure. "We supply products for data centre projects, particularly in the Nordic countries," says Mr Kaya. Such projects can require both multi-turn and part-turn electrical actuators, creating a direct connection between the growth of new infrastructure and the actuator industry.
SMS TORK also sees potential changes concerning the treatment and designation of Turkish-manufactured products within the European market. During the interview, Mr Kaya discussed the possibility of products being able to benefit from a 'Made in EU' designation and related discussions.
Behind the expansion of the product portfolio is a broader transformation in the company's manufacturing operations. SMS TORK began with lean production: rather than buying equipment first, the company sought to simplify and streamline its processes. The results, according to SMS TORK, have been significant.
Once those processes had been streamlined, SMS TORK began expanding its use of digital tools. The company has used ERP systems since its early days.
The next stage of development is increasingly focused on artificial intelligence and automation. SMS TORK is exploring how AI can support production. "In some production areas, we aim to develop machines capable of carrying out complete assembly processes automatically," explains Mr Kaya. Whilst on the face of it this might seem a simple practice, it also demonstrates the company's approach that digitalisation is being applied to concrete operations.
Since the company's previous Valve World interview, SMS TORK has increased its manufacturing area by approximately 5,000 m². Mr Kaya describes the additional space not simply as preparation for future growth, but as a current requirement — existing lines are saturated.
The physical expansion is accompanied by investment in renewable energy, which has had a significant impact on the company's energy profile. "We have installed solar panels on the roof of the factory through a Turkish government-supported programme," says Mr Kaya. The company also focuses on recycling materials generated during manufacturing: paper and other waste materials are sent for recycling.
For SMS TORK, these measures combine environmental considerations with practical business benefits, including reducing reliance on purchased energy. The company currently identifies solar power generation and recycling as its principal sustainability initiatives, suggesting that the immediate focus is on greening manufacturing.
Predicting the future of manufacturing is difficult, particularly in a global environment that can change rapidly. Nevertheless, SMS TORK sees a clear direction: "Electrical actuation is becoming an increasingly important part of our portfolio, with new torque ranges under development and the multi-turn range moving forward."
The expansion of approximately 5,000 m² provides the physical capacity to support that growth, while solar generation and recycling form part of the company's sustainability path. For SMS TORK, the next chapter is not defined by one particular valve or actuator. Instead, it is about building the manufacturing capability, technology and people to match.
