IMI opens process automation facility in Lake Forest, California
IMI has opened a new process automation manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California, bringing its Southern California operations into a single, purpose-built site focused on advanced production and sustainability.
The facility, which began operations on April 30, 2026, consolidates engineering, manufacturing, project management, quality assurance, and research and development teams under one roof. More than 200 employees previously based in Rancho Santa Margarita now operate from the new location.
According to IMI, the Lake Forest site is designed to manufacture and service severe service control and isolation valves used in oil and gas, power generation, and nuclear applications. These sectors require high levels of precision and reliability, and the facility has been built to support those demands.
Sustainability features are a central component of the new plant. A planned rooftop and parking lot solar array is expected to offset approximately 80 to 90 percent of the site’s electrical consumption. The facility operates primarily on electricity, with natural gas limited to welding processes. The building also incorporates a high-performance insulation envelope and was designed in line with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification principles.
Operational changes were implemented to reduce environmental impact. Electrical discharge machining and painting processes have been outsourced to eliminate hazardous chemicals and reduce volatile organic compound emissions. A laser overlay welder, scheduled for installation in the second half of 2026, is expected to reduce welding gas usage.
The site includes nine electric vehicle charging stations, with infrastructure to expand capacity to 27. Stormwater is managed through an underground retention system and modular wetlands designed to treat runoff before discharge.
Kevin McKown, President of Valve Automation and Digital at IMI, said the facility supports both operational performance and environmental goals. According to McKown, the new site provides the infrastructure needed to meet customer requirements while reducing the company’s environmental footprint.