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Velan

INTRODUCTION

Velan’s Digital Transformation in Innovation and Industry

Velan, a globally recognized manufacturer of industrial steel valves, has been a paragon of quality and innovation since its founding in 1950 by A.K. Velan. With a steadfast dedication to engineering excellence, Velan has carved out a distinguished place in the valve manufacturing industry. The company’s products serve critical industrial applications across sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, and shipbuilding. With 12 manufacturing plants spanning three continents and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Velan is a leader in both technological advancement and ESG initiatives.

As a forward-thinking organization, Velan identified the need to realign its digital presence with its progressive ethos. The existing website, built on a proprietary platform, had become cumbersome for internal teams to manage and lacked the flexibility to reflect the company’s innovative culture. With a recent rebrand underway, Velan envisioned a website that could offer a modern digital facelift, improve SEO performance, and provide a seamless bilingual user experience in both English and French. The redesign also had to address the complexities of showcasing 196 distinct products in a way that was intuitive and engaging.

Desktop homepage design for a manufacturing website.

Balancing Legacy + Innovation

The legacy website posed significant hurdles. Its outdated design and architecture made navigation cumbersome and edits labor-intensive for Velan’s team. The static nature of the site failed to convey the dynamic and innovative spirit of the company. Additionally, the proprietary platform hindered scalability, limiting Velan’s ability to adapt to evolving digital demands. The project demanded a comprehensive overhaul that would preserve Velan’s legacy while embracing a future-forward design.

A critical first step was rethinking the site’s Information Architecture (IA) to ensure a logical, user-centric structure. The new IA provided a foundation for intuitive navigation, particularly for Velan’s extensive product catalog. This restructuring was complemented by an enhanced User Experience (UX) design that prioritized clarity and accessibility. Custom post types were developed to showcase products alongside contextual resources, such as related documentation and case studies, ensuring that users could access all relevant information in a seamless manner.

website design examples for a large valve manufacturing website.

Designing for Clarity + Impact

The visual design embraced a no-nonsense aesthetic, resonating with Velan’s professional audience. Drawing inspiration from architectural forms, the design conveyed that precision and engineering excellence are synonymous with Velan. A palette anchored in Velan’s signature blue was expanded with accessible shades to enhance usability and interaction design. The integration of large color-blocking elements guided user flow, while a clear text hierarchy created impact even in the absence of extensive imagery. Custom iconography further elevated the design, offering visual clarity and alignment with Velan’s brand identity.

Building Accessibility and Sustainability into the Core

To ensure the site met the highest standards of accessibility, the development adhered to WCAG AA 2.1 guidelines. Every aspect of the design and content was evaluated for inclusivity, reinforcing Velan’s commitment to serving a diverse audience. Sustainability extended beyond visual elements to include scalable and maintainable code, reducing the site’s environmental footprint.


Innovating Product Display + Resource Navigation

Velan’s vast product range required a sophisticated display system that could organize and present information effectively. Custom post types enabled a dynamic and cohesive presentation of products, complete with supporting documentation, specifications, and contextual resources. The Resource Index Page offered advanced filtering options, making it effortless for users to locate technical literature and documentation. Together, these features created an ecosystem where information was interconnected and easily navigable.

Amplifying Brand Story and Stakeholder Engagement

To celebrate Velan’s rich history and reinforce its credibility, a detailed company timeline was incorporated, highlighting milestones and innovations. The Investor Relations section was designed to showcase the company’s ESG commitments, financial reports, and analyst coverage, serving as a critical touchpoint for stakeholders.


TECHNOLOGY

Integrating Technology for a Seamless Experience

The site was built on a custom WordPress theme, chosen for its flexibility and scalability. Bilingual functionality was seamlessly integrated using a robust WordPress plugin, ensuring a consistent experience across English and French users. The platform also connected with Velan’s proprietary MyVelan system, providing clients with streamlined access to tools and documentation.

Results: A Modern Digital Presence

The redesigned Velan website stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful strategy and design. It successfully bridges the gap between legacy and innovation, offering a digital experience that reflects Velan’s stature as a global leader. Internally, the new platform has empowered Velan’s team with tools to manage content efficiently, while externally, it has enhanced user engagement, accessibility, and SEO performance. With its intuitive navigation, clean design, and robust functionality, the website now serves as a cornerstone of Velan’s digital strategy.

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