Orders booked for industrial valves by U.S. producers during 1998 were up over 3 percent based on data compiled by the Valve Manufacturers Association of America. Imports of industrial valves increased by 8 percent during 1998, compared to 1997. U.S. exports increased by 6 percent during the same period. Iron valves and safety & relief valves had the largest increase in imports, both up 19 percent. Copper valves had the largest increase in exports, up 13 percent. Steel valve exports fell by 19 percent.