TPI January 2014

business & market news

PPI welcomes new board of directors The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), a trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry, has announced its new board of directors. George Zagorski of Blue Diamond Industries, LLC was named chairman of the board – a two-year appointment.

involved with other organisations with their work on pipe and systems including AASHTO, ASTM and NEMA. We know that as chairman of the board, this background will serve our members well.” The chairs of the five PPI divisions participating on the board are: Building & Construction: Lance MacNevin, Rehau, Inc; Conduit: Kevin Wettstein, Muehlstein & Associates; Corrugated Plastic Pipe: Jeremy Duininck, Prinsco; Energy Piping Systems: Dick Kraft, Endot Industries; and Municipal and Industrial: Lawrence Norris, Wolseley Industrial Group.

Being able to provide both technical and commercial support to UK engineering and trading companies, with particular emphasis on the oil and gas, offshore construction and renewables sectors, is seen as being an important step, further strengthening EBK’s market position. Increasingly, the technically sophistica- ted products produced by EBK, including Impanded pipes, metalurgically bonded clad pipes and pipes for cryogenic applications down to -164°C service temperature, require a level of technical “PPI is fortunate to have these industry professionals as the officers of our board of directors,” stated Tony Radoszewski, executive director of PPI. “Each of them has participated in our organisation for many years and we are glad they will continue to contribute to PPI and our industry. Our new chairman, George Zagorski, has a vast and broad experience in the plastic pipe industry and is a professional engineer. His knowledge has helped the PPI as he has participated in and chaired various committees and technical task force groups during the past eight years he has been a member. This includes the conduit division’s management and core technical committees and our corrugated pipe division’s marketing committee. He has also been actively

The board also includes Patrick Collings of Lane Enterprises, vice chairman; Kate Olinger of Uponor, advisory council chair; and Monty Fisher of Pipeline Plastics, treasurer. Moving to the board position of past chair is Gary Runyan of Zurn PEX, Inc. Working with division chairs, the executive director and legal counsel, this group governs the association and oversees its business.

The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc – USA www.plasticpipe.org

EBK opens UK office Large diameter welded steel pipe manufacturer Eisenbau Krämer

interface with client engineers more easily managed by having an office and qualified staff available local to the market. Similarly, contract management during the manufacture and supply period can be effectively controlled by the local office, which is fully integrated into the systems and processes of the mill in Germany, and provides UK clients with local contact. eisenbau Krämer GmbH – Germany info@ebkpipe.com www.ebkpipe.com

GmbH (EBK) is further developing its international network of sales offices by opening an office located in the UK. The management of EBK announced the opening of EBK GB Ltd, with a spokesman from the board saying, “Having a permanent office in the UK demonstrates both the importance of the UK as a major market for EBK’s high quality pipes, and of maintaining direct, close contact with UK based clients.”

Plastic Pipe Group’s website goes live The BPF Plastic Pipes Group (PPG) has launched a redeveloped website at www.plasticpipesgroup.com will connect our members with interested parties from all over the world.”

the UK plastics industry and a member of the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA). The BPF represents the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.

Plastic piping systems are widely used throughout Europe within the building services and civils and utilities industries. Improvements in manufacturing and installation technology, expertise and costs, flexibility, longevity, noise and heat insulation properties, good safety record and adherence to published standards have resulted in an increased market share within these areas.

The PPG, formed in 1962, is a trade association representing manufacturers and material suppliers of plastic piping systems in the UK. Martin Gisbourne, president of the PPG, commented, “The new Plastic Pipes Group website is an excellent information centre for the PPG and its members. Through it, we can provide up-to-date information on the important British plastic pipe systems industry. It

british Plastics Federation – UK www.bpf.co.uk

bPF Plastic Pipes Group – UK info@plasticpipesgroup.com www.plasticpipesgroup.com

PPG is part of the British Plastics Federation (BPF), a trade federation of

32

Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal January 2014

www.read-tpi.com