#114 Third party parts create first class problems.  Problem: A major chemical processing company had enjoyed great success using various Tufline valves. Some of these Tufline valves were in service for fifteen years and more. There was a sudden upsurge in problems with valves that had been in service only a short time. The Tufline Sales Engineer was called in to explain the sudden drop in service life.  Solution: The Tufline Sales Engineer discovered that when some valves had needed service or repair, the plant personnel had been using a third party repair service. The valves had been repaired by inexperienced people using inferior parts.  Results: When valves were once again sent to the nearby Tufline Service Center, there were no further problems with premature failure.  Saftey Alert: Third-party parts are always suspect and usually inferior. Third-party personnel do not have the benefit of factory training. Valves repaired and rebuilt by Tufline personnel at Tufline Automation & Service Centers carry the same warranty as new valves. Index of all performance report case histories.