TPi January 2008

business & market news

PVC pipe market presentation

Travel and accommodation for Düsseldorf shows Pressplan Travel Limited, UK, has announced that it is offering a selection of centrally located accommodation for the Tube, wire and METAV Düsseldorf events, which are being staged at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Complex between Monday 31 March and Friday 4 April 2008. All of the hotels offered are situated in the city centre for easy and convenient access to the exhibition grounds, and range from 2-star to 4-star to suit all needs and budgets. Prices start from £65 per person per night, including breakfast, based on sharing a twin room. As the three fairs will be running at the same time, accommodation in Düsseldorf will be at a premium, so early booking is recommended. Pressplan is a fully licensed IATA and ATOL agency, and can also offer ferry and rail travel in addition to flights from all UK airports. Quotations will be provided based on the lowest fares available at the time of booking.

SolVin SA, Belgium, is a major supplier of PVC resins. The company’s three major lines are: general purpose for rigid or plasticized application; PVC pastes for rigid to flexible use end- products; and PVC specialities, mainly represented by copolymers. The company’s pipes and fittings expert, Mr Joël Fumire, gave a presentation at the 3 rd Chlor-Vinyls Russia and CEE Markets conference, held in Warsaw, Poland, in June 2007.

The presentation included an analysis of the pipe markets in central and eastern Europe, and a focus on the main applications for PVC owing to its cost/performance advantages versus traditional materials. The presentation can be viewed online at: www.solvinpvc.com/solvinservices/ newshp/0,,56326-2-0,00.htm

SolVin SA – Belgium www.solvinpvc.com

Homeowners prefer copper tubing A national survey, commissioned by copper tube manufacturer Mueller Europe, UK, has revealed that 79% of UK homeowners feel more comfortable having copper tubing fitted in their home, when it comes to plumbing and

heating systems. The survey, commissioned through MORI, showed that while many homeowners selected plastic tube, 79% of men and 78% of women preferred copper. Neil Overton, marketing and sales director of Mueller Europe, commented, “There are many benefits to fitting copper tubing. It’s strong, adaptable, tough, and it is 100% recyclable so it’s ideal for homes that have an environmentally friendly concept to the structure. Although plastic tubing is quicker to install, copper provides a comfort factor for

Pressplan Travel Limited – UK info@pressplantravel.com www.pressplantravel.com

Mueller Europe manufactures several ranges of copper tube p

New facility in Mexico

homeowners because of the way that it is fitted through soldering and it has a very long lifespan. We manufacture a product that provides peace of mind, especially for anyone who is away from the home for long periods of time because the material adapts well with the changing weather.” From a regional point of view, 83% of northern homeowners said they would ask installers to fit copper tubing. The Midlands agreed, with 80% supporting the material, and 78% of southerners were also in favour. This preference towards copper tubing is also shared among UK heating and plumbing engineers, where 57% prefer to install copper over plastic tube on new build housing projects. Mueller Europe manufactures copper tube to the European Norm 1057:1996 for water, gas, sanitation and heating in the range 6mm to 159mm diameter. These ranges are colour coded Blue, Black, White and Red Labels (formerly tables W, X, Y and Z of BS2871 Part 1). The company also produces a chrome plated range, Protec and Protec 200 plastic coated tube, and ARC tube for refrigeration and engineering applications.

Clark Fixture Technologies, USA, has announced the opening of its newest facility in Mexico. The facility will design and manufacture the company’s full line of quality verification checking and in-process fixtures/gauges. The facility is ISO9001:2000 certified and its quality lab is accredited to 17025 standards. Clark Fixture Technologies – USA sales@clarkfixtures.com www.clarkfixtures.com Clark Fixture Technology México S de R L de CV – Mexico sales@clarkfixtures.com.mx www.clarkfixtures.com

Mueller Europe Ltd – UK sales@muellereurope.com • www.muellereurope.com

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Tube Products International January 2008

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