White Knight (U.S.)

White Knight Fluid Handling Inc. is an American manufacturing company that specialises in the design and production of ultra-high-purity fluid handling equipment for advanced technology industries. Founded in the mid-1990s and headquartered in Kamas, Utah, the company has earned global recognition for its expertise in pumps, valves, and related systems used in semiconductor manufacturing, solar panel production, flat-panel display fabrication, and other precision industrial applications.

Background and Establishment

White Knight was established in 1995 with the objective of developing fluid-handling systems capable of meeting the demanding purity and reliability standards required by the semiconductor industry. The company positioned itself as a leader in high-purity process equipment by focusing on metal-free components, chemical resistance, and clean-room assembly.
From its inception, White Knight adopted an integrated approach to engineering and production, with a strong emphasis on in-house design, precision manufacturing, and rigorous quality assurance. Over the years, it has expanded its capabilities by incorporating system integration, custom engineering, and the development of advanced technologies for high-performance fluid systems.

Products and Core Technologies

White Knight’s product range covers a wide variety of high-purity and chemical-resistant fluid-handling components, designed for industries where contamination control is critical. The main product lines include:

• Bellows and Diaphragm Pumps: Designed for high-precision fluid transfer in aggressive or ultra-pure environments. These pumps operate without metals in the wetted path, ensuring contamination-free performance.
• High-Purity Valves: Available in manual and pneumatic versions, these valves are used for process control in chemical delivery systems.
• Pressure Vessels and Filter Housings: Engineered for the containment and purification of chemicals used in semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing.
• Closed-Loop Fluid Systems: Integrated systems for metering, distribution, and monitoring of high-purity liquids.
• Support Components: Including pulsation dampeners, leak detection systems, and monitoring equipment to enhance operational safety and reliability.

All White Knight products are manufactured in controlled clean-room environments, ensuring compliance with the stringent quality requirements of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing processes.

Operational Focus and Industry Applications

The company’s operations are centred around serving industries that demand precision, purity, and process stability. Its equipment is widely used in:

• Semiconductor fabrication, where purity and consistency in fluid handling are essential for wafer processing.
• Solar cell and photovoltaic manufacturing, where precise chemical delivery impacts production efficiency and yield.
• Flat-panel display and LED industries, which require ultra-clean environments for etching and deposition processes.

White Knight’s technologies are critical in enabling chemical delivery, cleaning, and etching operations in these sectors, helping manufacturers achieve higher efficiency, safety, and product quality.

Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

White Knight operates its own advanced manufacturing facilities equipped with clean-room production areas, precision machining, and automated testing systems. Each product undergoes strict quality inspection and functional validation before deployment.
The company maintains Class 100 clean-room standards, ensuring that no contaminants compromise the integrity of its components. Materials used in production, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFA (perfluoroalkoxy), are selected for their exceptional resistance to corrosion and chemical degradation.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

White Knight Fluid Handling Inc. is a subsidiary of Graco Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of fluid-handling systems and industrial equipment. As part of the Graco group, White Knight benefits from access to broader industrial resources, global distribution networks, and research expertise while maintaining operational autonomy in its niche domain of ultra-high-purity systems.
This strategic alignment enables White Knight to continue innovating in its specialised field while leveraging Graco’s global presence and financial strength.

Innovation and Research

Innovation lies at the core of White Knight’s success. The company continually invests in research and development to improve pump performance, system efficiency, and contamination control. Some of its advancements include:

• Enhanced pump designs with improved chemical compatibility and reduced pulsation.
• Smart monitoring systems that provide real-time data on fluid flow and equipment condition.
• Modular system designs for easy integration into high-precision manufacturing lines.

White Knight also collaborates with leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers to co-develop next-generation process systems for advanced chip fabrication technologies.

Competitive Advantages

White Knight’s leadership in its field is built upon several distinctive strengths:

• Specialisation in Ultra-High-Purity Systems: A deep focus on contamination-free fluid handling for high-tech industries.
• In-House Engineering: Full control over product design, production, and testing.
• Clean-Room Manufacturing: Ensures compliance with global purity standards for semiconductor and microelectronics applications.
• Global Support Infrastructure: Backed by Graco’s worldwide operations, allowing efficient service and distribution.
• Technical Expertise: A team of engineers and specialists with extensive knowledge of materials science and process engineering.

These strengths allow the company to maintain long-term partnerships with top-tier semiconductor and electronics manufacturers across the world.

Challenges and Market Dynamics

Despite its success, White Knight operates in a highly specialised and cyclical industry. Its key challenges include:

• Dependence on Semiconductor Market Cycles: Demand fluctuates with global investment trends in semiconductor fabrication.
• Technological Evolution: Continuous innovation is essential to meet the growing miniaturisation and purity demands of next-generation technologies.
• Supply Chain and Material Constraints: The sourcing of high-grade materials requires robust supply networks and stringent quality controls.
• Global Competition: Other specialised firms in Japan, South Korea, and the United States also compete in the high-purity equipment segment.

To address these challenges, White Knight focuses on R&D investment, customer collaboration, and process optimisation to maintain its edge in quality and reliability.

Strategic Importance in High-Tech Manufacturing

The company plays a pivotal role in the supply chain of industries that drive the global technology economy. Its products are integral to wafer fabrication plants (fabs) and other ultra-clean manufacturing facilities, where even microscopic impurities can affect production yields.
White Knight’s contributions enable manufacturers to achieve precision, repeatability, and contamination-free operations, making it a key enabler of technological progress in fields such as semiconductors, microelectronics, and renewable energy.