Published: March 11, 2026 at 8:15 am
Fort Vale Engineering has announced the passing of its chairman, Edward Sagar Fort OBE, affectionately known as ‘Ted’.
Born in Lancashire in 1937, he founded Fort Vale in 1967 and built it into a globally respected engineering business.
From its headquarters and main manufacturing facility near Burnley, Lancashire, the company manufactures precision valves and fittings for the safe transport of bulk liquids worldwide.
Under his leadership, Fort Vale received some of the UK’s highest business honours, including multiple Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and the King’s Award for Enterprise.
Edward Sagar Fort OBE, affectionately known as ‘Ted’
Beyond industry, Fort was a committed philanthropist. Through the Fort Foundation, he supported education, project development and local community initiatives, taking a personal interest in the individuals whose lives were positively impacted.
Paying tribute, his long-standing business partner, and current group managing director Ian Wilson, said: “Ted was a remarkable man, bold, determined and completely committed to the business he built from the ground up.
“Working alongside him for so many years was both a privilege and an education. His belief in people, in Lancashire, and in what this company could achieve never wavered. Fort Vale stands today as a testament to his vision and perseverance.”