TPi November 2013

business & market news

Fine Tubes opens Houston facility Fine Tubes, a manufacturer and global distributor of precision tubes for critical applications, has opened a new facility in Houston, Texas, USA, and appointed Robin Hodgson to head the new operation in the position of oil and gas business development manager. he moved from the UK to Houston in 2002 and where his final position was as sales manager for high-pressure hose assemblies in North and South America.

we’ll be able to deliver an exciting product offering across the spectrum of oil and gas applications.” Brian Mercer, Fine Tubes global sales and marketing director, added, “Whilst we focus on manufacturing high quality products for often ‘mission critical’ applications, an important part of the Fine Tubes offer is the technical support and advice we can provide across a broad range of stainless, nickel and titanium alloys. Robin has the experience and skill to ensure that our customers are fully supported in this way.” The Houston office opened in mid- July and is already offering sales and technical support in the region, complementing the company’s global operations, which cover more than 35 countries from offices in the UK, Germany, France, India, and now the USA.

Mr Hodgson commented, “I am very much looking forward to being part of a global team and contributing to the further success of Fine Tubes in the US. Working together with Superior Tubes

With oil and gas companies undertaking exploration and production activities in increasingly hostile environments, Fine Tubes is in a position to support these opportunities. The company’s experience in manufacturing high pressure, highly corrosion-resistant tubes for North Sea drilling projects is of potential value to operators in areas such as the Gulf of Mexico. With primary responsibility for building on the dual customer interface that Fine Tubes can offer – commercial and technical – and for developing key business relationships across the immediate region and the wider Americas, including Brazil, Mr Hodgson will be working in conjunction with Fine Tubes’ sister company, Superior Tubes in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Fine Tubes ltd – UK sales@finetubes.co.uk www.finetubes.com Fine Tubes ltd – USA rhodgson@finetubes.com www.finetubes.com

Mr Hodgson joins Fine Tubes from ContiTech Oil & Marine Corp, with whom

Brian Mercer and Robin Hodgson

Certification for high purity tubing RathGibson, a manufacturer of welded, welded and drawn, and seamless stainless steel, nickel and alloy tubing, has earned the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) BioProcessing Equipment (BPE) certification. RathGibson received ASME BPE certificate #103 on its ASME BPE SF1 and SF4 product lines.

RathGibson, a PCC Energy Group company, is a worldwide manufacturer of precision engineered straight lengths, coil, and U-bend tubing for industries such as power generation, renewable, oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, food and dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, and general commercial. manufacturing locations in the USA include Janesville, Wisconsin; North Branch, New Jersey; and Clarksville, Arkansas (Greenville Tube). In addition to sales offices in Janesville and North Branch, RathGibson has strategically placed sales offices in Shanghai, China; São Paulo, Brazil; and Mumbai, India. The company’s

The company’s ASME BPE SF1 tubing is mechanically polished on the ID to 20µ-in Ra (0.5µm) ID max; ASME BPE SF4 tubing is electro-polished on the ID to 15µ-in Ra (0.4µm) max. Both product lines are available in 12.7 to 152.4mm (½" to 6") OD, in stock 6.1m (20ft) lengths. Paul Sedivy, director – high purity products, commented, “Earning this certification is our reward for our dedication to quality. We are proud that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies turn to us for solutions that add value. Our goal is to continue to exceed the expectations of our customers in order to positively contribute to their bottom lines.”

The certification was awarded in recognition of the company’s commitment to excellence in the manufacture of high and ultra high purity tubing. “After the audit was scheduled, the process moved quickly,” explained Michael Aston, manager – quality assurance. “The ASME auditor concluded that the processes that we already had in place met the requirements of the standard.”

rathGibson – USA www.rathgibson.com

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Tube ProducTs INTerNaTIoNal November 2013

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