GVARA Reviews its progress in its first year 2024  

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the founding year for the Gas Valves and Regulators Association (GVARA).

From establishing GVARA in the UK to onboarding our founding 8 members, doing our first social media post to getting our website operational ,2024 really has been a success.

With our founding members support and dedication, we have achieved remarkable progress, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead in 2025 for GVARA.

 

Highlights of the year

 

Establishing a GVARA Management Team

GVARA Leadership Team: Tony Peers, CEO, and Doug Thornton, President

GVARA established its leadership team in spring 2024, bringing decades of industry expertise to the helm.

For those who don’t know…

CEO Tony Peers, appointed in April 2024, has over 35 years of experience in the global gas and equipment market, with a career spanning roles in sales, marketing, and product development. Tony held senior positions at ESAB, Unidare,and  

GCE Group, including Marketing Director and Managing Director for the Valves Business. Prior to joining GVARA, he ran his own business consultancy.

Alongside Tony is Doug Thornton, GVARA’s President. With a distinguished career including 15 years as CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA), Doug has also led the UK glass industry’s trade federation and served as President of the European Flame Retardants Association. A former development chemist who rose through technical and commercial leadership roles, Doug retired in 2020 but stepped back into action to help launch GVARA successfully.

Contact the Leadership Team here:

Tony Peers: tony.peers@gvara.org

Doug Thornton: doug.thornton@gvara.org

 

GVARA has also appointed Auriga as its support Team for Marketing and Administration…

Working for GVARA on behalf of Auriga are Bernadette and Sam.

Bernadette is a seasoned membership professional with over 20 years’ experience in Associations – especially start up membership bodies and those with smaller staffing levels.

Sam is a key part of the Auriga secretariat team, with a track-record in helping other small associations with specialisms in both events and marketing.

For more information, visit – https://gvara.org/about/ or feel free to reach out at: admin@gvara.org

 

Technical Committee formation: Focusing on PFA’s

One of this year’s highlights has been the work of our Technical Committee, which has focused on understanding the Perfluoro alkoxy alkane (PFAs) materials used in the manufacture of gas valves and regulators.

In the Gas and associated Equipment Industry sector, PFAs feature in O-rings, seals, mould release agents, lubricants and packaging materials.

There has been great concern globally about the adverse human health and environmental effects of PFAs, which are now being found in watercourses globally and in drinking water.

The issue has come to a head with the launch, in late 2023, of an EU proposal to potentially ‘’authorise’’ (that means restrict or ban in REACH terminology) some PFA use under REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals).

Recognising the importance of this issue the GVARA Technical Committee has started to communicate and work with other Associations and other bodies such as EIGA, CGA, and IOMA representing the Gas Industry to understand whether the banning of PFAs used in Gas Equipment sector would create a potential risk of not being able to supply and dispense life- saving Medical gases, such as Oxygen , if no other alternative PFA free component parts are available. This project work will be concluded in 2025.

 

Monthly Open Review Meetings 

GVARA has established Monthly Review meetings with its members to regularly update them on activities within the association.

Honouring Our Founders 

As we celebrate our achievements, we also pay tribute to the eight founding members of GVARA. Their vision and dedication laid the groundwork for an association that continues to thrive and lead the industry. We extend our gratitude to:

Cavagna Group – www.cavagnagroup.com 

Gasiq – https://www.gasiq.com/en-gb/

GCE – https://www.gcegroup.com/en/

Harris – https://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/en

Muller – bmv.dk

Sherwood Valve – https://sherwoodvalve.com/

Tekno Valves – https://www.teknovalves.com/

VTI – https://www.vti.de/en/  

 

Testimonials from our Members

“As a proud member of GVARA, GCE recognises the critical importance of uniting under a shared vision to address the complex and growing challenges facing the cylinder valve and regulator industry. Membership in GVARA supports our commitment to ensuring the safety, sustainability, and future resilience of our industry.

GVARA’s five pillars—regulatory advocacy, environmental stewardship, material compatibility, supply chain resiliency, and collaborative innovation—resonate deeply with GCE’s priorities. This partnership provides us with a unified voice to influence government policies and industry standards, ensuring that our concerns are heard at the highest levels.

One of the most pressing topics for us is engaging in meaningful dialogue and advocating for the industry’s sustainable future while balancing the process of safe and effective innovation to address ongoing concerns impacting the industry globally.

At GCE, we firmly believe that the collaborative strength of GVARA members will help safeguard the safety, innovation, and longevity of the cylinder valve and regulator industry.”

Andy Tassell – GCE

 

Denis Guardini – Member and Director of the GVARA Board.

Denis has been with Cavagna Group for almost 8 years and serves as the Manager for the Compressed Gases Valves and Equipment Line of Business.

Being active in different sectors requires versatility and an open mindset. To maintain this outward-looking perspective, being part of associations is essential.

This is why we at Cavagna Group enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to participate in the establishment of GVARA. By uniting our voices, efforts, and expertise, we aim to offer the greatest possible contribution to our sector.

Collaboration strengthens shared goals, enabling us to protect and safeguard not only the product, but also the end user and the environment in which the product is utilized. This is a key objective in a context like ours, where the quality of materials, procedures, and products is truly vital.

Fully aware of the significant challenges we face, we are absolutely convinced that, through teamwork, each of these challenges can serve as a springboard for mutual growth.

Denis Guardini – Cavagna Group

Expectations for 2025

As with any organisation we are looking to increase our activities, grow both our membership base and our standing in the industry in 2025, here is how we will look to achieve this:

Member Advocacy and Industry Standards: Strengthening our voice in shaping regulations and best practices. With recommendations and referrals.

Member Engagement: Growing our network and facilitating collaboration among industry leaders. With the hope of further recommendations and referrals from within the association and within the industry. 

These accomplishments will hopefully reflect the collective effort and commitment of our members and partners.

 

2025 Activities

Here is what our members can look forward to with GVARA in 2025 with final details to be announced early in 2025.

Examples of what will be planned:

• Increase Technical Committee work with new sub committees
• Regular meetings and communication with other associations and ISO committees
• Government lobbying
• New Publications
• Training

 

Thank You for the Year

On behalf of GVARA, we extend our sincere thanks to all our members and stakeholders for making 2024 a founding year to remember. Contributions and support are the cornerstone of our success.

We now wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to further achievements together in 2025.

Warm regards,

The GVARA Team