Montville Co.'s Valve to Protect Navy Fleet

A company on Boonton Avenue in the township will outfit the U.S. Navy fleet with valves that mix and disburse fire-fighting foam as part of a $9 million deal announced Tuesday.

The section of the U.S. Navy that builds, buys and maintains ships and their combat systems awarded a more than $9 million contract to Marotta Controls Inc. to design, test and produce the motor-operated valves.

The Naval Sea Systems Command, or NAVSEA, awarded the contract, according to a company news release.

"Marotta is focused on integrating advanced materials and electronics to reduce weight, life cycle costs and corrosion sensitivity of shipboard fluid control systems," said Michael Leahan, vice president and chief sales officer of Marotta Controls. "The MOPV (motor-operated pilot valve) represents the latest evolution of our product line—a mature, cost efficient, smart design using superior materials—in a compact easy to install package. We are proud to have been selected to supply the MOPV to the U.S. Navy."

Marotta, founded in 1943, is a small business specializing in the development and manufacture of motion and flow control solutions, according to its website. Its valves, pressure regulators and electronic controllers are used in weapons, fire suppression and propulsion systems on combat vessels.

Marotta had 165 employees in 2011. Its headquarters is on 24 acres. Its Montville property tax bill was about $130,000.