At industry events like AFPM, one topic continues to rise to the surface: emissions reduction. While regulations and expectations continue to evolve, one challenge remains—there is no universal EPA emissions standard for gasket and sealing products.
So how can refineries and petrochemical facilities confidently reduce fugitive emissions?
At LGG Industrial, we believe the answer lies in a combination of engineering expertise, proven solutions, and proper installation practices.
Without standardized benchmarks, many products are marketed as “low emission” without measurable data to support those claims. This creates uncertainty for operators who are under pressure to improve environmental performance while maintaining reliability.
That’s where experience matters.
LGG Industrial works closely with customers to evaluate their specific applications and recommend sealing solutions that deliver real, measurable results—not just marketing promises.
In one case, a large California refinery approached LGG Industrial with a fugitive emissions issue exceeding 500 ppm—well above acceptable thresholds.
Rather than simply meeting compliance, the refinery set an aggressive goal: reduce emissions to 10 ppm.
Through close collaboration, LGG developed a specialized sealing solution that evolved into the HDLE (High Density Low Emissions) gasket. The result?
Emissions were reduced to just 5 ppm—cutting well below the target and demonstrating the power of engineered solutions.
While product selection is critical, it’s only one part of the equation.
Proper installation, bolting techniques, and overall flange management play a significant role in long-term sealing performance. Even the best gasket can fail if it’s not installed correctly.
That’s why LGG Industrial supports customers with:
With in-house manufacturing capabilities through Leader Gasket and Advanced Sealing, LGG Industrial delivers more than just products—we provide custom-engineered solutions designed for real-world operating conditions.
Combined with decades of experience and a proactive service approach, we help customers:
Reducing emissions isn’t about chasing labels—it’s about applying the right solution, the right way.
At LGG Industrial, we partner with customers to do exactly that.
In the demanding world of industrial operations—whether in oil & gas, refining, power generation, chemical processing, or agriculture—flange joint integrity is paramount. Ensuring consistent, leak-free connections can significantly reduce downtime, maintenance costs, and safety risks.
That’s where LGG Industrial’s FADU Training comes in—an immersive, hands-on program designed to optimize bolting procedures and empower your team with proven best practices.
FADU—the Flange Assembly Demonstration Unit—is a dynamic, on-site training tool that LGG Industrial utilizes to show maintenance, operations, and engineering professionals the real-world impact of controlled bolting procedures. By simulating bolted flange assemblies and gathering live data, the FADU demonstrates how execution details shape outcomes.
Here’s a breakdown of the FADU’s core training modules and how each contributes to safer, more reliable sealing performance:
FADU Training improves safety and reliability by reducing leaks, while giving participants hands-on experience that makes lessons stick. By using your facility’s own procedures, it ensures direct relevance, increases efficiency, and minimizes downtime. Validating skills and broad application across industries, FADU equips teams to deliver consistent, leak-free performance.
Leak-free performance starts with training. LGG Industrial’s FADU Training equips your team with the skills and confidence to keep your operation running safely and efficiently.
👉 Contact LGG Industrial to schedule your training session.
Pittsburgh, PA – LGG Industrial is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Bagwell as U.S. Region Vice President and General Manager for the West Region. Michael will report directly to Jeff Crane, Chief Executive Officer of LGG Industrial.
Michael brings nearly three decades of leadership experience in the industrial distribution and manufacturing sectors. He most recently served as Director of Sales at Horsburgh & Scott, following a long and accomplished tenure with Motion Industries, where he rose through the ranks to become Division Vice President.
“Mike is a strategic, high-energy leader with a deep understanding of our industry and a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence,” said Jeff Crane, CEO of LGG Industrial. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the LGG team.”
In this role, Michael will have overall P/L responsibility with a focus on driving continued organic growth in the West Region.
Please join us in welcoming Michael Bagwell to the LGG Industrial organization as we continue to grow and strengthen our team.
Media Inquiries Contact:
Lauren Russo, Digital Marketing Specialist
marketing@lggind.com
A little over 2 years since his previous appearance on the podcast, LGG Industrial CEO Jeff Crane joins to discuss his company’s 2024 rebrand from ERIKS North America; how the company is navigating the tariffs situation; its recent branch network and technology upgrades; and how LGG is approaching AI.
A little over 2 years ago, I had Jeff Crane, the CEO of LGG Industrial on the podcast to talk about his company’s recent changes. At the time, that company was known as ERIKS North America — a well-known distributor of fluid handling, material conveyance and sealing products and solutions.
The company has undergone further transformation since, including its early 2024 rebrand as LGG Industrial.
Crane and I were able to have a great chat at the 2025 NAHAD convention in April, and given what LGG has been up to lately, I was compelled to invite him back onto the podcast.
Here’s what we covered:
Listen to the full episode via the audio player above. And you can find our entire MDM Podcast library here.
We have proudly partnered with Benetech to reduce respirable crystalline silica exposure.
Recent regulatory changes to OSHA 1926 CFR-1153(d)(1) have reduced the PEL (permissible exposure limit) to 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) averaged over an 8-hour day. The danger of silicosis in workers exposed above the allowable PEL is real and must be addressed. Within the past year, MSHA has also announced new regulations with additional field support to enforce tightening dust control guidelines.
In collaboration with NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the CDC), Benetech took the challenge combining their proven products with newly patented technologies to design equipment that would improve personnel safety in the workplace and reduce exposure to RCS (respirable crystalline silica).
During development of the MaxZone Safe+®, Benetech greatly benefited from NIOSH’s R&D (research & development) team by their documentation of test results showing a significant reduction in dust and spillage at the load zone areas of the conveyor system.
Targeting the load zone area of a bulk material handling system is critical since up to 85% of the dust and spillage occurs in the transfer point and load zone areas. This is also the area where the highest incidence of serious injuries and fatalities occur during routine maintenance and cleanup operations. Personnel exposure to respirable dust is also very high in these areas.
In addition, the economic advantages of this technology allows for minimal use suppression to be employed on an “as needed” basis due to “smart” data communications between devices. And chemical costs can be minimized with an average savings of over 60X when compared to other spray suppression systems available.
Through our partnership with Benetech, we are experts at dust and spillage control, material flow, and production done safely with reduced downtime. Contact us and see how our integrated services and technologies can help improve your operation by reducing dust, preventing spillage, improving material flow, and ensuring compliance.
Sugar Sell, the Intelligence-Driven Sales Automation Solution, Equips Sales with Tools for Improved Productivity and Customer Responsiveness
SAN FRANCISCO – December 17, 2024 – LGG Industrial, a longstanding leader in fluid handling, sealing, and material conveyance solutions, is driving efficiency and growth with SugarCRM’s flagship sales automation solution, Sugar Sell, built to meet the unique needs of business-to-business (B2B) industrial companies.
LGG Industrial offers comprehensive engineered fluid handling, sealing, and material conveyance solutions for a wide variety of industries and applications. With facilities across North America and decades of trusted experience, LGG Industrial is a top solution partner for some of the largest companies in North America.
Over 150 LGG Industrial sales and service professionals are now using Sugar Sell, and the company plans to deploy additional Sugar solutions, including Sugar Serve and Sugar Market, in the near future. The transition to Sugar’s intelligence-driven sales automation platform has transformed its sales operations, equipping sales reps with the tools needed to be more productive, efficient, and customer-focused.
“We chose the Sugar platform because it provides the sophisticated CRM tools we need to execute our new go-to-market strategy and drive organic growth,” said Tim Billingsley, Vice President, Revenue Operations, LGG Industrial. He explains that Sugar Sell has given the company a platform to transform its sales operations, ushering in newfound visibility and efficiency.
“We are looking to Sugar to help us accelerate the velocity of sales opportunities through the buyer journey to realize revenue faster,” added Billingsley. “Sugar is the ideal solution for B2B midmarket businesses like ours, and it’s a perfect fit to help us scale our sales operations and drive more revenue. With the introduction of Sugar Sell, the company has experienced 3 times the user adoption of previous sales tools.”
Sugar will also help the company better manage and respond to spikes in customer demand due to extreme weather and natural disasters.
“Helping LGG Industrial meet its unique business needs and overcome industry-specific challenges is a core strength of our CRM platform and a key area of expertise for our team at Sugar,” said Paul Farrell, Chief Product Officer, SugarCRM. “Creating new sales opportunities, expanding pipeline, accelerating sales processes, and driving faster revenue realization are key goals for LGG Industrial, and we’re pleased to be the solution to help the company achieve these goals and more.”
Click here to learn more about Sugar’s AI-driven solutions for CRM.
About SugarCRM
SugarCRM is a CRM software that helps marketing, sales, and service teams reach peak efficiency through better automation, data, and intelligence so they can achieve a real-time, reliable view of each customer. Sugar’s platform provides leading technology in the sales automation, marketing automation, and customer service fields with one goal in mind: to make the hard things easier.
Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on Sugar by letting the platform do the work. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sugar is backed by Accel-KKR.
For more information about SugarCRM, visit: www.sugarcrm.com.
Safety, Reliability, Mechanical Integrity…important buzz words in the production of H2SO4 and any chemical processing plant. This editorial aims to investigate how we can proactively recognize areas of potential risk when incorporating flex hoses into modern plant operations. We’ll explore strategies to minimize these risks during the design and planning stages.
It All Begins with The Reliable Handling of Molten Sulfur
Sulfur is the key raw material in the industrial production of sulfuric acid using the contact process. Solid sulfur is placed into a heated vessel where it’s brought to the melting point (115°C) and converted into a liquid state. The molten sulfur is then stored in a heated tank to keep it in liquid form before being pumped to the combustion furnace. The temperature of the molten sulfur is usually maintained between 130°C and 150°C. The pressure required to inject molten sulfur into the combustion chamber typically ranges from 2 to 10 bar (approximately 29 to 145 psi), depending on the specific design of the injection system, the viscosity of the molten sulfur, and the desired atomization quality.
Maintaining Temperature During Transfer
Heat traced flex hoses are commonly designed into the system to maintain the temperature during pumping to ensure it remains in a fluid state and at the proper viscosity. Full penetration welds are imperative to contain the high pressure required to achieve the proper flow rate. These flex hoses are typically fabricated from 316SS and are thoroughly pressure tested and incorporate 100% radiography to ensure the integrity of the welds. This carefully controlled programmatic approach helps ensure the safe and efficient transport of molten sulfur from storage to the injectors.
Inherent Risk
Flex hoses, like all critical process equipment, while essential in almost all chemical production sites, can pose certain risks if not properly designed, manufactured, installed, and maintained. Some of these considerations include:
Improper Design
Risk: If a flex hose is not properly designed from detailed specifications that are documented and signed off by the involved parties, reliability is likely to be compromised.
Impact: Failure modes can include any number of physical breakdowns as well as improper temperature and related viscosity troubles that can readily shut down the process.
Material Compatibility Issues
Risk: Not all flex hoses are compatible with all concentrations of sulfuric acid. Using the wrong type of hose material can lead to rapid degradation.
Impact: This increases the likelihood of hose failure, posing a significant safety hazard in a sulfuric acid production environment.
Improper Installation
Risk: Incorrect installation, such as improper bending radius, inadequate support, or incorrect fitting selection, can lead to excessive stress on the hose.
Impact: This can cause premature wear, kinking, or failure of the hose, increasing the risk of leaks or bursts.
Mechanical Failure
Risk: Flex hoses are subject to mechanical stresses, such as vibration, pressure fluctuations, and thermal expansion. If a hose is not properly rated for these conditions, it can rupture or fail.
Impact: A sudden failure could cause a spill or release of materials, which could result in serious injuries or damage to surrounding equipment.
Aging and Fatigue
Risk: Over time, flex hoses can degrade due to continuous exposure to high temperatures, pressure, or corrosive substances.
Impact: If hoses are not regularly inspected and replaced as needed, they can become a weak point in the system, leading to potential catastrophic failures.
Fire Hazard
Risk: In certain situations, if a flex hose fails and releases volatile substances, it can potentially contribute to fire hazards, especially if there are potential ignition sources and/or other combustible materials nearby.
Impact: A fire in any chemical plant could have devastating consequences, including the release of toxic fumes.
Risk Mitigation Strategy Begins with a Robust Hose Program
Documented Design Criteria: Proper design of flex hoses can be an iterative process. Required operating parameters should be documented and submitted to the Application Engineer(s) for their input on materials, configuration, and end connections. These are then returned to the customer for consideration and final approval.
Pressure and Temperature Ratings: Ensure that the hoses used are designed and rated for the specific pressures and temperatures encountered in the sulfuric acid production process.
Material Selection: Ensure that the flex hoses are made from materials specifically designed to handle sulfuric acid and its associated gases.
Robust and Reliable Production: The production of heat traced hose assemblies for critical process applications requires the use of tried and true techniques that have been proven over time. Full penetration welds that are challenged with 100% radiography for their integrity are non-negotiable.
Pressure Testing Requirements: Flex hose assemblies should be safely pressure tested prior to shipment from the manufacturer according to predetermined specifications.
Proper Installation: Follow manufacturer guidelines for installation, including proper bending radius, support, and fitting selection.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Predetermine and implement a routine inspection and maintenance schedule to check for signs of wear, corrosion, or mechanical damage.
Routine Replacement Schedule: Hoses should be tagged for identification and replacement schedule. First and foremost, of course safety is paramount in any operation. Reliability and mechanical integrity are aimed at achieving this goal. A safe operating environment means the operation has been carefully planned and every detail thought through in advance.
Adhering to a rigorous design and selection process for all your flex hose applications is crucial for ensuring the reliability, mechanical integrity, and safety of your process, ultimately leading to uninterrupted operations and production.
Branham Industrial has developed their hose design and production process over the last 50 years. For more information contact John Czerwinski jczerwinski@branhamcorp.com (502) 649-4929
Sulfuric Acid Today full issue: https://h2so4today.com/2024-fw-2
In June 2024, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published its final ruling for Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust exposure.
“The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica from 100 micrograms (µg) to 50 µg per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) over a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for all mines.”
This new ruling requires compliance to lowered limits of miners’ RCS exposure and provisions for improvement in respiratory protection.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Respirable Crystalline Silica dust:
Rebranding from ERIKS North America to LGG Industrial Reflects Commitment to Heritage and Innovation
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 1, 2024 —ERIKS North America, a longstanding leader in fluid handling, sealing, and material conveyance solutions, announced today that it is rebranding to LGG Industrial. This strategic shift honors the legacy of its founding companies, Lewis-Goetz and Goodall, while remaining focused on innovative solutions that drive significant value for customers.
“This rebranding to LGG Industrial represents an inflection point in the history of our company, where our rich history and deep understanding of the industry meet our ambitions to bring a new level of service and value to the North American industrial market,” said Jeff Crane, CEO of LGG Industrial.
LGG Industrial captures the knowledge, experience, and reputation that serve as the foundation of the company. In its next chapter, LGG Industrial is investing in its people, expanding its product and service reach, and investing in capabilities that raise the standard for service and value.
“We carefully crafted our new tagline: Tailored Solutions. Trusted Service,” continued Jeff Crane. “This reflects LGG Industrial’s dedication to providing highly specialized solutions backed by an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and a partnership built on trust. This trust is earned one transaction at a time and through the application of tailored solutions that continually save time and money for our customers.”
LGG Industrial offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to minimize the Total Cost of Ownership for its customers. Partnerships with top-tier manufacturers enable the company to provide unmatched customized and technical product solutions that encompass material handling, sealing, fluid transfer, and specialized fluid power hose solutions.
As the industry continues to evolve, LGG Industrial remains a steadfast partner dedicated to preventing downtime and enhancing operational performance. The company’s proactive approach, value-added services, and exceptional customer service ensure that the needs of customers are met with precision and care.
“We are excited to share this next step in our journey, but this is about so much more than a name change,” added Jeff Crane, CEO of LGG Industrial. “LGG Industrial is the standard under which we will continue our unwavering dedication and service to the North American industrial market.”
For more information on LGG Industrial and to understand how the company can enhance business efficiency, please visit www.lggindustrial.com.
About LGG Industrial
LGG Industrial, formerly ERIKS North America, is the go-to partner for industrial companies looking for fluid handling, sealing, and material conveyance solutions. Headquarted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and supported by Luther King Capital Management, LGG Industrial has decades of experience creating value for the North American industrial market with a passion for customer service that is met with deep technical know-how.
About Luther King Capital Management
Founded in 1979, LKCM provides investment management services to high net worth individuals, foundations, endowments, investment companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts and estates, among other organizations.
Contact:
Lauren Russo
Digital Marketing Specialist
Lauren.Russo@lggind.com
412-925-7390
PITTSBURGH-ERIKS North America (ENA) announced that it has acquired the assets of Branham Corporation (Branham), a prominent fabricator and distributor of industrial hoses, gaskets, conveyor belts and related services.
Founded in Louisville, KY in 1973 as Branham-Mingis by the late William E. Branham and Stephen Mingis, Branham has grown over the past five decades to include five fabrication/distribution plants and 8 sales locations covering the Midwest and Gulf coast regions of the U.S. Boasting a team of over 100 highly skilled professionals, Branham has become synonymous with quality and service excellence in the industry.
Doug Branham, who will remain with the company as co-President, had this to say about the transaction. “ENA is a great fit for our company. Leveraging the scale of ENA affords us the opportunity to take our industry leading products and services to places we could not hope to on our own. The future of our associates has always been top-of-mind for us and we know that the benefits offered by, and the culture that exists at ENA will create a great place for our associates to continue their important work. As we celebrate our 50th year solving problems for our customers, we could not be happier about the prospects for the next 50 years.”
Steve Mingis, Branham’s other co-President, added, “At some point, every company must consider what it takes to get their organization to the next level. Doug and I knew immediately that our alignment with ENA was the perfect match for our employees and the future growth of our business.”
Jeff Crane, CEO of ERIKS North America, spoke about the closing of the acquisition, stating, “Doug Branham and Steve Mingis, along with their dedicated associates, have built a powerful organization that solves technical problems for their customers. Branham brings geographic expansion and unique product and service capabilities that align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions and services to our growing list of North American customers. We are excited to welcome all the Branham associates to our great company and we look forward to working closely with them as we put our unique brands, capabilities and geographic reach to work…together.
Our long-term goal has always been to deliver above-market organic growth. Today’s announcement is just the most recent example of the reigniting of our inorganic growth engine as well. We remain committed to the successful execution of this dual-growth strategy for years to come.”
About ERIKS North America (ENA):
A portfolio company of LKCM Headwater Investments, ENA is a leading distributor of fluid handling, sealing, and material conveyance solutions for industrial customers throughout North America. Our technical solutions and services keep our customers running, reduce downtime and minimize total cost of ownership.