TPT May 2009

I ndustry N ews

Sale of Star Pipe to Logstor the ‘best solution’ The Obbekjer Foundation, the owner of Star Pipe A/S, has sold essential parts of the company to the world’s leading manufacturer of pre-insulated district heating pipes, Logstor. Star Pipe is involved in the exclusive production of PEH district heating pipe, district cooling pipe and pipe for industrial purposes. The decision was based on a number of years of negative financial results. The sale, which took place at the beginning of March, will ensure that Star Pipe’s customers receive a stable and continued level of quality and service. Logstor is an international group with subsidiary companies in 12 countries. Star Pipe’s chairman, Mr Kaj Thomsen, says, “We feel confident leaving our customers to a leading supplier of pipe systems, Logstor. In spite of investments of millions we have not succeeded in laying the groundwork for a profitable operation, and in our opinion, a sale to Logstor is the best solution.” Despite a positive development in turnover, Star Pipe achieved an unsatisfactory result in 2008. The company estimated the chances of achieving operational profit, considering the size of the company, to be extremely difficult for the foreseeable future. Some production will continue within the next few months, so the stock of raw materials and finished products is reduced to a minimum. Once this has happened, the 35 years of production at Star Pipe’s facility in Fredericia, Denmark will cease. In future Logstor will produce from its own factories, but will retain a number of selected key employees to provide services to Star Pipe’s customers. The sale will affect approximately 100 employees at Star Pipe. The owner of Star Pipe, the non-profit Foundation of the director H Obbekjer and his wife Marie Obbekjer, will now concentrate on consolidating and developing A/S Ribe Jernindustri, a leading manufacturer of radiators in Denmark. Logstor A/S – Denmark Fax : +45 99 66 11 80

Guangzhou tube and pipe exhibition to celebrate 10 th anniversary

The 10 th Guangzhou tube and pipe exhibition will take place from 23-26 June 2009 at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou, China. This leading Asian event will build on the considerable success of the last nine shows, with the show having increased year-on-year by around 30 per cent. The exhibition will be co-hosted by Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Co Ltd, China Iron and Steel Association, China Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Association, and the Metallurgical Council of CCPIT. In order to celebrate the 10 th anniversary, the organizers will host a celebration party on a luxury yacht against a beautiful backdrop of the Pearl River. Guangzhou 2009 will showcase a larger exhibit area with support from around 500 renowned exhibitors. Attendance has already been confirmed from leading Chinese steel and pipe corporations including Jiangsu Kylin Tube, Zhejiang Singsheng Steel Pipe, Zhejiang Jiashang Steel Tube, Zhida Steel Pipe, Guangzhou Lianzhong, Wenzhou Yuante Pipe, Hebei Huike Steel Pipe, and Hebei Chenghao Steel. The Liaocheng Steel Pipe Association of Shandong Province has organized its members as an exhibitor group. In addition, a number of international exhibitors have been confirmed including Ulbrich (USA), Capitole Press SL (Spain), and Matsumoto & Co Inc (Japan).

At the last show in 2008, there were 762 exhibitors and 52,000 visitors from countries including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA, Italy, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and India. Representing 30 countries and regions, last year’s exhibitors occupied 30,000m 2 of floorspace. The international contingency of exhibitors made up 20 per cent of the exhibitor numbers. In order to stimulate business, the Chinese Government has introduced new measures in 2009 including payment of 40 per cent of the exhibition expenditure for small Chinese companies. Such assistance has ensured that Guangzhou 2009 has already sold 65 per cent of its exhibit space. A number of industry experts and leaders will discuss a range of topics including tube costs and logistics, export issues concerning European anti-dumping measures, and new modes of marketing. Those industries represented at the show will include petroleum, metallurgy, chemical, mechanical, construction, and water treatment. Guangzhou Julang Exhibition – China Fax : +86 20 38620790

Email : meiwen@julang.com.cn Website : www.julang.com.cn

 The Guangzhou tube and pipe exhibition will celebrate its 10 th anniversary

Email : logstor@logstor.com Website : www.logstor.com Star Pipe A/S – Denmark Fax : +45 76 20 32 67 Email : starpipe@starpipe.dk Website : www.starpipe.com

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