TPT May 2009

C ontents

Moving with the times Although the automotive industry has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years compared to its heyday, the car still remains central to everyday transport and human existence. The obsession with the automobile has been with us for a long time, and its dominance is unlikely to weaken. Even in the current global economic crisis, people need to get around and whether that means spare parts for repairs or the latest model sports car, automotive tube will always be in demand. While some of the world’s biggest car manufacturers are in dire straits, with General Motors and Chrysler currently fighting plant closures and bankruptcy, suppliers of spare parts have reported a surge in demand. Other enterprising companies have found opportunity in the current market, such as India’s Tata Motors in the launch of its new Nano model. The Nano is Tata’s attempt to make an affordable option (circa US$1,900) for millions of poorer Indian drivers, and is expected to be available in Europe by 2011. Other manufacturers are placing emphasis on hybrid and electric vehicles. The automotive industry is a fair reflection of the general economic problems at present. As always, time moves on and the whole world has to adapt to new circumstances. And it will be those in the best condition and quickest off the mark that prosper. In the mix of well- publicized banking problems and bankruptcies, there are crafty business deals taking place and companies using the recession as a smokescreen for major change.

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I ndustry N ews

26 T echnology U pdate

72 F rom T he A mericas

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It is now also time for me to move onto something new as this will be my last leader as editor of Tube & Pipe Technology . Working on the magazine and serving the tube and pipe industry has been a valuable and enriching experience over the years. It has given me a truly international outlook and enabled me to transcend the boundaries of working for a domestic UK company. Rich Sears Editor • Email: richard@intras.co.uk

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The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries

Published by: Intras Publications , 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HY, UK Tel : +44 1926 334137 • Fax : +44 1926 314755 Email : tpt@intras.co.uk Website : www.read-tpt.com USA Office (Editorial only): Intras Limited, 272 First Ave, Apt 12G, New York, NY 10009, USA Tel/Fax : +1 212 614 9266 Email : dfabian@rcn.com Indian Office: Jintras Ltd, Subarna (Ground Floor) P21/N, Block A New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, India Tel: +91 33 2407 0701 • Fax : +91 33 2407 0700 Email : jeroov@vsnl.com All rights reserved – © Intras Ltd ISSN 0953-2366 This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Tube & Pipe Technology reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Tube & Pipe Technology expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this disclaimer are governed by the laws of England.

Editor • Rich Sears Features editor (USA) • Dorothy Fabian Editorial assistant • Christian Bradley Production manager • Lisa Benjamin Design • Julie Tomlin

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• Catherine Sayers English speaking sales • Giuliana Benedetto Italian sales • Hendrike Morriss German speaking sales • Linda Li Chinese sales • Jeroo Vandrevala Indian sales

Sales & marketing

• Liz Hughes

Advertising co-ordinators

Andrea McIntosh

• Liz Hughes

Subscriptions

• Richard Babbedge

Accounts manager

• Caroline Sullens

Publisher

• John C Hogg

Founder

US Copies only: Tube & Pipe Technology (ISSN No: 0953-2366) is published bi-monthly by INTRAS Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube & Pipe Technology , PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available on subscription, or via membership of the International Tube Association – See www.itatube.org for more membership benefits

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