Score Acquires Drake Controls, Expands Digital Capabilities for Turbomachinery

Score completed the multi-million-dollar acquisition of Houston-based Drake Controls, which develops advanced digital control solutions for turbomachines and other power assets, including industrial gas turbines, steam turbines, compressors, and reciprocating engines. The eight-figure purchase aligns with Score’s long-term growth strategy to expand its engineering technology services into digital solutions.

“We’re excited to join forces with Score, a company known for its reputation and diversity in the industrial sector,” said Josh Gore, President of Drake Controls. “This partnership enables both organizations to broaden our reach, strengthen our capabilities, and continue delivering a portfolio of products, services, and solutions to customers around the globe.”

Drake Controls maintains certified sales and service centers throughout the United States and Mexico, establishing itself as an aftermarket business partner for Woodward Inc.

These locations will complement Score's valve and emissions management, gas turbines, and surface technologies and expand its global reach. The company now enters the international energy market with expanded capabilities and strengthens its strategy to deliver customer-focused service.

Steam turbine protection system; image credit: Drake Controls

“Drake Controls has established itself as a trusted leader in advanced digital control systems, and these capabilities are highly synergistic with our mission to support global energy customers with efficient and cleaner energy solutions,” said Paul Stein, Managing Director of Gas Turbines, Score.

GE Acquires Woodward

In November 2024, GE Vernova acquired Woodward’s heavy-duty gas turbine combustion parts business located in Greenville, SC. Per the definitive agreement, GE Vernova obtained all assets at Woodward’s Greenville site, which is focused on supplying parts and services for the company’s gas turbine manufacturing operations and supports its investments in United States manufacturing, jobs, and domestic supply chain. The transaction was closed in March 2025.

Currently, GE Vernova’s presence in Greenville includes manufacturing and testing gas turbines, delivering international engineering support, and additional work. The acquisition’s financial terms were not disclosed and was subject to specific closing conditions, but GE Vernova collaborated with the Woodward team to transition Greenville-based employees.

Managing Emissions via Controls

Companies like Score and Drake Controls leverage digital control solutions to improve efficiency, therefore reducing carbon emissions as a byproduct. This trend to decarbonize global energy systems is driving a transformative shift in turbomachinery software and controls. OEMS are approaching this from different angles, including a controls platform that integrates carbon-capture plants and power plants; optimizing compressor operation to reduce energy consumption via controls and tests; and using asset performance management to optimize assets, processes, and energy efficiency.

• GE Vernova developed a controls platform that enables tight integration between the power and carbon-capture plant to achieve greater than 95% CO₂ capture rates. In the short-term, the platform is providing additional control capabilities for integration features specific to the carbon-capture plant.
• John Crane offers solutions like Sense Monitor, which allows companies to optimize infrastructure and operations by providing real-time data on equipment health.
• Compressor Controls Corp. uses the Internet of Things and centralized high-resolution time-series data and human-machine interface screens to deliver accurate data quickly.