As January wraps up, we’re sharing highlights you may have missed—from product updates to employee milestones! It’s been a month of meaningful progress, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026.
Have You Heard? Same Qualified Valve — Different Name
As Lexair valves continue forward following its 2023 acquisition of Emerson’s valve product lines, the company is implementing a brand update for customers and partners. Now entering its fourth year of production, Lexair will no longer reference or use previously registered trademarks, including:
- “Keystone”
- “KLOK”
- The “KV” symbol
What’s changing: the name.
What’s not changing: everything that matters.
The products, engineering standards, manufacturing quality, and performance specifications remain unchanged. Customers can continue to expect the same reliable valve solutions trusted across the U.S. Navy and marine markets.
JA Moody is proud to support Lexair valves as part of our best-in-class flow control portfolio.
We currently stock 2.5” – 12” valves in our Malvern, PA warehouse.
For pricing, specifications, and technical guidance, contact sales@jamoody.com.
Hellan Strainer Strengthens U.S. Supply Chain for Navy and Defense Programs
JA Moody is excited to share The Hellan Strainer Company’s acquisition of Federal Bronze Castings, now Ironbound Castings, a move that directly strengthens Hellan’s support of the U.S. Navy and defense programs. As a distributor of Hellan products, we see this as a strategically important investment in domestic capability, supply chain security, and long-term program reliability.
Specialty bronze castings and precision machining are critical components across naval shipbuilding and defense infrastructure. By integrating these capabilities under the Hellan Group, Hellan is better positioned to ensure consistent quality, tighter schedule control, and uninterrupted supply for mission-critical applications. This acquisition reinforces Hellan’s role as a trusted partner to defense contractors, shipyards, and government programs that cannot afford disruption.
For JA Moody and customers, we serve in the naval and defense markets. This means increased confidence in Hellan’s ability to deliver dependable solutions backed by U.S.-based manufacturing and decades of experience supporting national defense. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the expanded capabilities this acquisition brings to the defense industrial base.
To learn more, click here for the press release.
ASCO™ Solenoid Valves (by Emerson)
JA Moody is a stocking distributor for ASCO™ Solenoid Valves, manufactured by Emerson, a global leader in automation solutions.
ASCO™ valves meet the exacting requirements and standards of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, further strengthening our ability to support shipbuilding schedules and fleet readiness with reliable, best-in-class solutions.
ASCO™ valves are trusted across Navy and marine applications for their reliability, performance, and compliance with demanding specifications.
Looking for cut sheets or technical details? Visit our website to access full product documentation.
A Shipbuilding Renaissance Is Upon Us
A shipbuilding renaissance is underway, driven by an unmistakable shift in national priorities. Fleet readiness, capacity, and modernization are no longer future objectives—they are immediate imperatives. As Navy leadership has stated repeatedly, “The demand signal is clear, and the time for execution is now.”
Across Congressional hearings and NAVSEA forums, the message has been consistent: “The Navy cannot meet its readiness and shipbuilding goals without a resilient, responsive industrial base.” With production schedules accelerating and maintenance availabilities tightening, success now depends on suppliers that can deliver—not just promise.
Recent Navy testimony has underscored this reality: “Schedule risk increasingly resides in the supplier network.” Material availability, repair responsiveness, and turnaround time have become decisive factors in keeping ships on schedule and ready for tasking. JA Moody and Moody Marine Service are prepared to meet this moment.
As NAVSEA leaders have emphasized, “Readiness is built component by component, availability by availability.” In response, we have made targeted investments to support today’s demanding shipbuilding and maintenance environment:
- Increased inventory on hand to support Just-In-Time (JIT) requirements
- Expanded repair capacity for valves, actuators, and ship checks (see Moody Marine Service line card)
- Staffed and ready for rapid turnarounds to support aggressive build and maintenance timelines
The Navy has been clear: “Readiness delayed is readiness denied.” Our mission—keeping ships at sea—means delivering quality products, executing repairs with urgency, and helping our partners eliminate schedule risk wherever possible.
For new product sales, contact JA Moody at sales@jamoody.com.
For repairs & services, contact Moody Marine Service at service@moodymarinesvc.com.
Leadership Training & Development
JA Moody and Moody Marine Service kicked off 2026 with a full day of senior leadership training.
Our focus areas included:
- Leading effectively through change
- Operationalizing our core values
- Strengthening employee engagement across the organization
We believe professional development is critical to long-term success, operational excellence, and delivering consistent value to our customers.
Mission Momentum: January Wins at Moody Marine Service
Momentum is built through consistency. Across Moody Marine Service, our teams remain focused on doing the fundamentals well. Every job, every site, every time. Disciplined execution, backlog growth, and strong service delivery continue to be the cornerstone of how we operate as we move into 2026 together.
January reflected meaningful progress in standardizing how we work, improving visibility across sites, and strengthening the operational foundation required to support future growth. The team leaned into our corporate values and what 212 degrees looks like in action, with how we show up, how we execute our daily work scope, and how we apply intention, ownership, and the power of extra effort.
From the consistency of the products we repair, to the pride taken in execution, to the shared understanding that our work supports mission readiness, the Moody Marine Service team continues to raise the bar. Whether work is being completed shipboard or in the shop, our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer partnership remains unwavering.
Across our Moody Marine Service locations in Virginia, Florida, and California, teams continue to build momentum, strengthen customer relationships, and propel the business forward, one disciplined execution at a time.
P.S. Precision work in progress: a valve assembly staged for inspection and overhaul, a small snapshot of the disciplined execution happening across Moody Marine Service every day.
Now Hiring: General Manager – West Coast Growth
We’re expanding to the West Coast and are looking for a proven General Manager to lead the charge. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who enjoys building operations, developing teams, and driving sustainable growth.
As General Manager, you’ll have ownership of strategy, execution, and day-to-day operations as we scale our West Coast presence.
- Lead and grow regional operations
- Build and develop high-performing teams
- Drive operational excellence and customer satisfaction
- Partner with executive leadership on growth initiatives
If you’re a hands-on leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for growth, we’d like to talk.
Interested or know someone who might be? Let’s connect at kthibault@moodymarinesvc.com.
Celebrating Our Amazing Team
Great service starts with a great team. We believe in supporting a culture where people thrive—and today, we’re honored to recognize these incredible team members who’ve been a vital part of that vision:
- Brian Longmire (17 years)
- Nathan Tolhurst (5 years)
- Adrienne Link (3 years)
- Joshua Venturelli (2 years)
Congratulations, and thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!
To keep up with what JA Moody and Moody Marine Service are up to outside of our monthly newsletters, follow us on LinkedIn!