TPT September 2007

Industry News

NDT Systems & Services establish US subsidiary

Northwest Pipe acquires Continental

NDT Systems & Services AG, Germany, has established a subsidiary company based in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. This new subsidiary will serve the automated non-destructive testing requirements of the North American market for the metal, rail, and automotive industries. The main focus of NDT Systems & Services (America) Inc will be the stationary inspection systems and plants offered by its parent company. The range of the company’s technology includes automated inspection plants for non-destructive testing of heavy plate, strip, pipe, and railway wheels and axles, together with equipment for weld testing of tailored blanks. NDT Systems & Services AG is also a leading provider of advanced inline inspection technologies for the non- destructive testing of pipelines using ultrasound technology. North American subsidiary will also be resourced to support the pipeline inspection activities of the The newly-formed

company’s co-operating partner, Houston- based Tuboscope Pipeline Services. The president of NDT Systems & Services (America) Inc has been named as Mr Alfred Barbian, who is also the CEO of the parent company in Germany. He will be supported by Mr Dietmar J Neidhardt as acting vice president and general manager. Dr Neb Uzelac has been named as a further acting officer of the company. The first official engagement of the new company was the participation at AISTech 2007, the iron & steel technology conference and exposition held in Indianapolis in May. NDT Systems & Services AG – Germany Fax : +49 7244 7415 97 Email : michael.beller@ndt-ag.de Website : www.ndt-ag.de NDT Systems & Services (America) Inc – USA Fax : +1 218 3633723 Website : www.ndt-ag.com

Northwest Pipe Company, USA, has acquired the Continental Pipe Manufacturing Company, based in Utah, USA. Continental produces spiral welded steel pressure pipe for use in water transmission pipelines, with trading generally restricted to Utah and the surrounding region. With manufacturing facilities across the USA and Mexico, Northwest Pipe Company has three business segments: the Water Transmission Group, Tubular Products Group and Fabricated Products Group. “The Continental acquisition is a great fit for our Water Transmission business,” said Mr Brian W Dunham, Northwest’s CEO. Northwest have appointed Mr Jeff Bruny as regional vice president for water transmission operations. In addition to the Continental operations, he will be responsible for Northwest's Adelanto and Portland divisions. Northwest Pipe Company – USA Fax : +1 503 240 6615 Website : www.nwpipe.com

Quaker strengthens commitment to Asia/Pacific region Quaker Chemical Corp, USA, has opened a new 20,000m 2 facility in Qingpu, Shanghai, China. Designed for modern and flexible manufacturing, the site includes production, development and quality laboratories, a bulk tank farm, a warehouse and office space.

This integrated facility will enable the company to optimise manufacturing efficiencies across the region, expand its research and development capabilities, and keep pace with the region’s exponential growth. Quaker is a provider of process chemicals, chemical specialities, services, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings, and construction materials.

The company’s significant investment in China is a continuation of its commitment to the Asian market, which began in 1995 through a joint venture partnership with Wuxi. In late 2006, Quaker acquired the remaining shares in the Wuxi-Quaker partnership, and made Shanghai the headquarters location for its Asia/Pacific operations. Quaker Chemical Corporation – USA Fax : +1 610 832 4497 Email : info@quakerchem.com • Website : www.quakerchem.com

› (Top) the opening of the new Quaker facility; and (above) a tank farm at Quaker’s manufacturing site

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S eptember /O ctober 2007