official
partner. 
From Repeated Valve Failures to Reliable, Cost-Effective Control
The Challenge:
One of our OEM customers was experiencing ongoing reliability issues with a low-quality process solenoid valve brand used within a critical automation application. Frequent failures were leading to unplanned downtime, inconsistent process control, and growing frustration for both operators and maintenance teams.
While the valves initially appeared cost-effective, the true cost became clear over time with repeat replacements, labour, and production interruptions were adding up quickly.
The Solution:
After reviewing the application in detail, Air Products recommended upgrading to the Festo VZWM process solenoid valve — a valve specifically designed for demanding industrial environments where reliability and precision matter.
Key selection factors included:
- Proven performance in process automation
- Higher quality internal components
- Better resistance to wear and contamination
- Long-term lifecycle reliability
We worked closely with the customer to ensure a like-for-like functional replacement, minimising changeover risk and installation time.
The Result:
Since switching to the Festo VZWM, the customer has experienced:
- Significantly improved reliability
- Elimination of repeated valve failures
- Reduced maintenance intervention
- Improved process consistency
Importantly, by sourcing the solution through Air Products ( The most trusted FESTO official Partner in NZ) we were able to be highly price-competitive, meaning the customer achieved a lower total cost of ownership – not just a better product.
The Takeaway:
Choosing automation components purely on upfront price can be a false economy.
By selecting the right valve for the application and backing it with the right technical support, our customer achieved better performance, reduced downtime, and long-term cost savings.
At Air Products, our focus is simple:
Right product. Right application. Right outcome.
