TPI July 2012
The trade magazine for tube and pipe products
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The World of Tube & Pipe Products, Materials & Ancillaries
July 2011 July 2012
Seek the wise standing high
SHIJIAZHUANG RUIDATONG P I P E F I T T I NG CO . , L T D
Specializing in the following: SIZE: 1/2” to 120” SEAMLESS & WELDED PIPE FITTINGS SCH10 TO 120MM
Carbon Steel Butt Weld Fitting: A/SA-234 WPB WPC High Yield Butt Weld Fittings: A860 or MSS SP 75 WPHY42 Y52 Y60 Y65 Y70 Y80 Low Temp Butt Weld Fitting: A/SA-420 WPL6 WPL3 Allow Butt Weld Fittings: A/SA 234 WP-11 Class 1&2, WP-22 Class 1&3, WP-91, WP-5. WP-9
ADD: Room 804, No.4 Building, Qingshui ju - Qingshui street, Shijiazhuang City- Hebei Province, 050094 P.R. China TEL: +86-311-8399-0118 - FAX: +86-311-8399-0127 - MAIL: sales@ruidatong.com - www.ruidatong.com
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Tube Products INTERNATIONAL Magazine 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK Tel: +44 1926 334137 • Fax: +44 1926 314755 • Email: tpi@intras.co.uk
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8 Business & Market News 32 Products & Developments 52 Feature: Materials Handling, Logistics and Packaging 60 Feature: Oil and Gas Pipelines 68 Tungum Alloy Tubing Tungum Ltd, UK 71 Editorial Index 72 Advertisers Index Contents
July 2012
Whenyouhave finishedwith thismagazineplease recycle it
The World of Tube & Pipe Products, Materials & Ancillaries
The July issue
events calendar
Welcome to the latest issue of Tube Products International. We have features on materials logistics and packaging as well as oil and gas pipelines this issue. Tube China is also just around the corner of course and the magazine team will be there in force, so please come and say hello and I hope the show is a great success for all concerned. The other exciting news for the magazine is that from next year (the January issue) we will be producing two extra issues – moving to six a year – which is a really positive step for the magazine and, we would like to think, the tube products industry. We are very proud that the magazine has now established itself at the heart of the industry and it, of course, means we can keep you even more up to date with all of the latest tube product-related news and features and help to publicise your innovative tube products. A recent major story that really caught my attention shows that no one can doubt the constant innovative uses that are found for the humble tube. Researchers from NASA and Korea’s National Nanofab Center have come up with an innovative twist on the tube that could transform computer technology – nanoscale vacuum tubes. As explained in a recent paper from Applied Physics Letters, the tiny tubes were manufactured using the same processes applied to silicon semiconductors. An important twist on the idea sees a small cavity etched into silicon, bordered by a source, a gate and a drain. The cavity does not enclose a vacuum, but at 150 nanometres across is so small that electrons flowing through it are unlikely to bump into any other matter. That setup means electrons can pass unimpeded, instead of having to struggle their way through silicon (which is a relatively inefficient process). Because the circuits in the devices rely on the gap, they can also work well in nasty spots like space where radiation can knock physical circuits into literal disarray. The researchers are therefore rather keen on nano vacuum tubes as a way
2012
25-28 September
Tube China International Exhibition www.mdna.com
23-27 October
EuroBlech (Germany) International Exhibition www.euroblech.com
30 October – 1 November
Tube India International Exhibition www.mdna.com
12-14 November
Fabtech (Las Vegas, USA) International Exhibition www.fabtechexpo.com
27-29 November
Valve World Expo (Germany) International Exhibition www.valveworldexpo.com
2013
7-10 January
Tube Arabia International Exhibition www.mdna.com
20-23 February
Indometal (Indonesia) International Exhibition www.indometal.net
28-30 March
Boru 2013 (Turkey) International Exhibition www.borufuari.com
Tube Russia International Exhibition www.metallurgy-tube-russia.com
May
to harden computers on spacecraft, which today must pack all sorts of bulky and heavy radiation shielding. Next issue we have features on valves and fittings, drainage and underground tubes and plastic pipes, so feel free to get in touch with your latest news. today must pack all sorts of bulky and heavy
25-26 June June
Valve World Expo Americas International Exhibition www.valveworldexpoamericas.com
Rory McBride Editor
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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL July 2012
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business & market
news
An-Tiki sets sail from St Maarten in the Caribbean
‘Ancient mariner’ returns to An-Tiki raft An 86-year-old grandfather and a plucky crew of over-50s have set sail from the Caribbean, bound for the Bahamas, on a raft made from water pipes. aged from 50 to 62: husband and wife Leigh and Nigel Gallaher, from Boston; Ali Porteous from Uganda; and Bruno Sellmer from Brazil.
and hygiene. One of the crew’s final tasks before setting sail was to fill five of the raft’s 18ft cross-pipes with fresh water for drinking, cooking and washing. “Without food a man takes 60 days to die. Without water he lasts a quarter of that time. On An-Tiki we will have ample water for our needs, yet millions of people around the world are living in places without an adequate supply,” said Mr Smith.
The voyage is expected to take around four to five weeks to cover a further 700 miles. 11.5x6m (39x20ft) raft is made from polyethylene water and gas pipes, with a timber deck, 8m mast and a square sail. An accommodation pod provides shelter and space for communications, sleeping, and cooking, and electricity is provided by four solar panels and a wind generator, with a manual generator as an emergency back up system. The An-Tiki voyage is also raising awareness and funds for the charity WaterAid, which works with some of the world’s poorest communities to improve access to safe water, sanitation
They hope to raise £50,000 for the international charity WaterAid.
As reported in Tube Products International last year, writer and explorer Anthony Smith made history by crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the ‘An-Tiki’ raft, travelling 2,600 miles in 66 days. Mr Smith and his three-man crew of ‘mature and intrepid gentlemen’ arrived safely at the Caribbean island of St Maarten, having been blown off course from their destination, the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Now Mr Smith, with a new band of senior sailors, is attempting to complete the expedition. The crew consists of two men and two women
To make a donation to WaterAid please visit:
www.justgiving.com/AnTiki (UK) www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ anthony-smith-4/antiki (USA)
an-Tiki expedition www.gasballoon.com/antiki
Wateraid – UK www.wateraid.org
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business & market news
Sandvik celebrates steel production anniversary
This year marks the 150 th anniversary of steel production by Sandvik, and this was celebrated on the company’s stand at Tube 2012 in Düsseldorf. A central feature of the stand was a model of the Vasa, a 17 th Century Swedish maritime treasure and subject of an on-going research and development collaboration between the Vasa Museum and Sandvik. This collaboration is facilitating the essential replacement of 5,000 iron bolts with highly advanced stainless steel bolts in order to preserve the structural integrity of the vessel well into the future. Sandvik offers materials technology solutions for demanding applications in some of the most arduous environments. Its research and development capability has resulted in the introduction of the latest hyper-duplex stainless steel for demanding sub-sea applications and zirconium tubing for the nuclear industry. In heat exchanger applications, hyper- duplex tubes significantly outlast alternatives, not only proving cost effective throughout their life cycle, but also increasing operational plant uptime. It is claimed that by replacing carbon steel tubes with Sandvik SAF 2707 HD ® tubes, the rate of corrosion is
Stainless steel tube supply from Sandvik
bar to hollow bar. Sandvik’s powder metallurgy products are manufactured by the hot isostatic pressing process, which allows the production of complete geometrically intricate products that offer excellent resistance to corrosion and outstanding mechanical properties. The company maintains a stock of popular tube material grades and sizes throughout its strategically located distribution and manufacturing centres worldwide, ensuring reliable and efficient product supply via its global distribution network. Sandvik Materials Technology – Sweden www.smt.sandvik.com/tube
reduced to one tenth. A plant using heat exchangers with the Sandvik tubes would be capable of operating for ten years without maintenance shutdowns or tube replacements. Designed to help reduce machining requirements in component manufacture as well as reduce overall component weight, Sandvik hollow bar products were also displayed at Tube 2012, including duplex material grades. The use of this material, especially in the Sanmac form, can increase component production capability as well as cut down on waste material. A converter tool is available, as an app for iPhone and iPad, that calculates the money saved when switching from
Plastic Pipes XVI conference Plastic Pipes XVI, an international conference on plastic pipes, will be held in Barcelona from 24 to 26 September 2012. Plastic pipes have transformed procedures to provide basic services in the last 80 years.
technological advances in the sector. Throughout the event Molecor will present two conferences focused on the latest developments in PVC-O and the new range of PVC-O pipes for pressure pipelines reaching DN630 and 25 bars.
The international conference is positioned as a platform and meeting point for this sector of industry and evolving technology. The 2012 event will address key issues such as environmental impact, new applications and the latest
Molecor, a Spanish company special- ised in the technology and production of PVC oriented (PVC-O) pipes, will participate as a sponsor of the con- ference, which expects to attract over 500 participants from 80 countries.
Molecor – Spain info@molecor.com www.molecor.com
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July 2012 Tube Products International
business & market news
Derby success just the start for SSC
Sales director Andy Evans said of the new set- up, “It’s ironic because the factory we have moved into is on the old Qualcast site on Victory Road in Derby and our sister company, Turfmech Machinery, recently
SSC Laser has successfully launched a new manufacturing site in the East Midlands, UK. The laser cutting specialist established the new Derby factory in January and the site is now fully operational. The firm, a specialist in sub contract laser profiling, announced record turnover of over £5mn at the end of August 2011 and plans are now in place to open further UK manufacturing sites as early as this year, with the North East the first likely beneficiary.
SSC Laser cutting
Mr Evans said, “These are really exciting times for us. We have opened a sales office in Slough at Regus on the Bath Road and that office now employs two people. Lawrence Cairns is the Southern sales manager and he has been joined by Ian Coltman as a sales estimator. The plan is for Lawrence and Ian to build the business over the next 18 to 24 months and we will then commit to a manufacturing facility in the area.” Sunderland, which missed out to Derby inbecoming the firm’s firstmanufacturing facility outside of Staffordshire, may welcome expansion later this year.
acquired the manufacturing rights to build Qualcast mowers at our factory in Hixon near Stafford.” Derby is the first of what is planned to be an aggressive roll out of manufacturing operations for
SSC Laser, which has sales offices around the UK.
The
company,
which also provides press- braking, laser scanning and an in-house CAD service, harbours ambitions to establish SSC Laser operations in every major city in the UK.
SSC Laser Cutting – UK sales@steelservicecentre.co.uk www.steelservicecentre.co.uk
Team members of SSC Laser, Derby
Tubing with premium connections receives certification
TMK operates 24 production sites in the USA, Russia, Romania and Kazakhstan, and two R&D centres in Russia and the USA. In 2011, the company’s pipe shipments totalled 4.23mn tonnes. The largest share of its sales belongs to high margin oil country tubular goods (OCTG), shipped to customers in 85 countries. The company delivers its products along with an extensive package of services in heat treating, protective coating, premium connections threading, warehousing and pipe repairing.
were subjected to the 80% compression level.
TMK, a producer of tubular products for the oil and gas industry, has successfully conducted certification of tubing with TMK PF premium connections in accordance with the ISO 13679 CAL IV standard. The tests were conducted at the Oil States Industries international testing centre, Aberdeen, UK. This was the first certification of TMK tubing threaded with premium connections according to this standard. The testing qualification programme was conducted by TMK-Premium Service, which presented grade L80 tubing threaded with TMK PF premium connections. During the testing, pipes
“Successful certification of TMK PF premium connections on both casing and tubing in accordance with the ISO 13679 CAL IV standard gives us the opportunity to supply an all- inclusive pipe string fully certified under this standard for use in the well,” said Sergei Bilan, vice president of premium products and services at TMK. “Completion of this certification serves as confirmation of the world quality level of our threads and allows us to enter the league of the leading global suppliers of tubular products for complex drilling both onshore and offshore.”
TMK – Russia tmk@tmk-group.com www.tmk-group.com
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Plastic Tube: The Right Choice !
Kennedyallee 1-5 D-53175 Bonn
Tel. +49 (0)228 / 91477-0 Fax +49 (0)228 / 91477-19 kunststoffrohrverband@krv.de www.krv.de
business & market news
Plastics pipes group appoints new director The Plastics Pipes Group (PPG) of the British Plastics Federation has appointed Caroline Ayres as its new director, following the retirement of Frank Jones at the end of 2012. Frank had been director since 1993 and will remain as a consultant to the PPG. plastics piping systems at all levels. Plastic pipes play a vital role in the infrastructure of this country and I am proud to be representing such a vital, responsible and sustainable industry.”
of plastic pipes compared with other alternative materials. Plastic pipes provide a sustainable and safe way to distribute valuable drinking water and provide modern sewer systems. Their environmental contribution to public health and sanitation is unique. Moreover, their long service life followed by recycling guarantees a high level of sustainability for many hundreds of years. “Newapplications in the field of rainwater harvesting and management, storm water drainage, domestic grey water systems, district heating and domestic geothermal technology are also helping to create a more sustainable world. “The future will bring many challenges for PPG members, not least meeting future UK and European legislative requirements. The Construction Products Directive has been replaced by the Construction Products Regulation, coming into effect July 2013. This will lead to compulsory CE marking for our products and the European Standards writing committees are well underway in producing the necessary harmonised standards. Meeting the requirements of CE marking and educating the market regarding their meaning will be crucial to PPG members.” british Plastics Federation – UK reception@bpf.co.uk www.bpf.co.uk
Prior to the PPG Caroline worked for the BBA, and before that for British Gas Research and Development. She is chair of the BSI committee for non- pressure plastic piping systems and sits on many BSI and other technical committees. Her appointment coincides with the appointment of a new PPG president. Martin Gisbourne (utilities and industry director of Aliaxis UK) has taken over from Glen Sabin (MD Polypipe Civils) in this important role. The plastics pipes industry is situated to face the challenges of the 21 st century. It is estimated that plastics now account for over 54% of all new installations in the UK and the market share is growing. In 2011, the estimated combined turnover of the UK manufacturers of plastics piping systems was £750mn, and the industry employs in excess of 8,000 people. Caroline Ayres said, “The sustainable credentials of plastic pipes have been proven in studies by The European Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (TEPPFA). The results of these studies highlight the sustainable characteristics
Caroline Ayres
Caroline has been working for the PPG as standards and technical manager for ten years. Commenting on her new role, she said, “I am delighted to be appointed as the new director. The PPG has been representing UK manufacturers of plastic pipes since 1962 and will continue to promote the development, acceptance and usage of manufactured
Changes to Plymouth leadership team David Barnes has been appointed to the newly created role of chief operating officer of Plymouth Tube Company. Mr Barnes previously served as vice president of finance and administration for the company. Prior to joining Plymouth, Mr Barnes’ career in the metals industry spanned 30 years including finance and operations. In his new role Mr Barnes will have responsibility for the day-to- day operations of Plymouth. CEO. The change allows Mr Van Pelt to focus on broader strategic issues essential to the company’s long-term growth and success. In a statement to employees, Mr Van Pelt said, “I am excited about this evolution in our leadership team. We have a number of challenges and opportunities ahead of us, and this change will better position us to meet those challenges, ensuring our future success to the benefit of our customers, employees, shareholders, and the markets we serve.”
the steel tubing industry since 1924. Currently headquartered in suburban Chicago with 11 manufacturing mills across the US, Plymouth is a global supplier of carbon alloy, nickel alloy and stainless steel tubing for mechanical, pressure, boiler and hydraulic applications. Steel, nickel and titanium extruded and cold drawn shapes are produced by Plymouth Engineered Shapes. Plymouth Tube company – USA info@plymouth.com www.plymouth.com
Donald Van Pelt, Jr retains the title and responsibilities of president and
Plymouth Tube Company has served
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International development appointment for JM Eagle
Josh Randell is JM Eagle’s new vice president of international business development
Plastic pipe manufacturer JM Eagle has appointed Josh Randell to the new position of vice president of international development. With 18 years’ experience in direct management and operational oversight of a distribution and fusion construction company, Mr Randell is charged with developing channels to increase the company’s presence internationally and domestically. The company is already undertaking foreign expansion. “With Josh’s hands-on experience and oversight, I am confident that we will further strengthen our presence in the domestic and international market place,” said JM Eagle president and CEO Walter Wang. “I look to Josh to create solid and binding partnerships internationally as he brings great contributions and opportunities to our company.” Mr Randell comes to JM Eagle from owning Maskell Pipe & Supply Inc, a Californian distributor specialising in high-density polyethylene piping systems and fusion equipment leasing and training.
providing on-site training and expertise to end users.
With the majority of his focus on the China expansion, he will help identify new opportunities internationally. He will also manage JM Eagle’s exportation already underway in other international markets, especially South America. Domestically, he will assist efforts including sales, training and technical support in the conversion of two JM Eagle PVC plants to manufacturing PE pipe. With 22manufacturing plants throughout North America, JM Eagle manufactures a wide array of high-grade, high- performance polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene pipe across a variety of industries and applications, including utility, solvent weld, electrical conduit, natural gas, irrigation, potable water and sewage.
His appointment is part of JM Eagle’s investment and expansion into China, to where the company has been exporting pipe since 2011. JM Eagle is also building two plants in that country that will manufacture both PE and polyvinylchloride pipe products. In China, Mr Randell will be in charge of procurement of necessary equipment and the development of HDPE and PVC pipe installation operations, as well as
JM eagle – USA marcusgalindo@jmeagle.com www.jmeagle.com
Flexible element manufacturers’ association
technical cleanliness, are incorporated into revisions of the standards.
Examples of Euro-Qualiflex’s work include DIN ISO 10380, which defines standards for metal hoses, and ISO 14917, which lays down the basics for expansion joints and their applications. Technical working groups of the association assist the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) by providing detailed analyses and research, making their specialised know-how available. The standards, which are already in place, regulate the technical basics – from materials and their properties to the quality of welding processes through to test procedures. New findings, eg on corrosion or the requirements of
Euro-Qualiflex is an association of manufacturers of flexible elements, tasked with providing a safe and solid foundation with regard to the use of their products. “Quality is a key factor of our work,” emphasised association chairman Dr Hans-Eberhard Koch. The association is working with its specialists at a European level to create and further develop standards with respect to the design, manufacture and testing of metal hoses, expansion joints and metal bellows. For users in international plant construction, foundations will be laid to ensure the safe use of products, even when there are high technical requirements.
Euro-Qualiflex has adopted agreements that place high demands on all member companies, and regular checks are carried out to ensure that these are fulfilled. The use of the AEQ logo (Association Euro-Qualiflex) is subject to implementation of the extensive catalogue of criteria, with this having to be verified and documented by recognised certification authorities.
association euro-Qualiflex eV – Germany
info@euro-qualiflex.com www.euro-qualiflex.com
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Buyers sought for UK manufacturing firm A business advisory firm is looking for buyers for an engineering firm that specialises in the designing and installing pipework, after it hit financial difficulties. Cooper Parry, with offices in Leicester, Derbyshire and Nottingham, UK, is selling Engineering Services (Humber) after the business went into administration with the loss of 41 jobs. Dome, Robin Hood Airport, HM Prisons and Balfour Beatty. Mr Courtman said, “EngineeringServices had been experiencing increasing cash flow difficulties over the last few months and despite management’s best attempts to secure the company’s future, this ultimately was not possible. Unfortunately, it was concluded that the company was not in a financial position Cooper Parry is now looking for ways to complete the remaining order book, and has appointed quantity surveyors to help. Cooper Parry – UK advice@cooperparry.com www.cooperparry.com to continue to trade and all employees had to be made redundant.”
Joint administrators Tyrone Courtman and Nick Edwards, of Cooper Parry, said they had received a few enquiries and were looking to sell the business, or parts of it, as a going concern. Engineering Services (Humber), based in Retford, Nottinghamshire was formed in 1964 and specialises in the design, supply, fabrication and installation of plastic pipe systems. Its clients have included Olympic Village, The London
The SMALL orders are JUST as important to US as the BIG ones!
d kj
FTSE 100 nuclear supply contract
IPP Scomark has been awarded a substantial contract to supply a FTSE100 company with small bore pipe fittings for nuclear systems. This expands the on-going work IPP Scomark is involved with in supplying nuclear reprocessing plants in Cumbria, UK. IPP Group continues to develop its supply chain solutions in the nuclear industry. Michael Hudson, group director of operations, commented, “We have worked very hard to win this contract and we are delighted with the opportunity to produce fittings for this FTSE 100 company. It is a testimony to IPP Scomark’s excellent quality and service.”
30 years of supplying piping products from stock. When you need it fast, you can rely on us to deliver the right product on time. 4,000 tons of stock available for delivery 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to wherever in the world you need it! Products : Pipes, Fittings & Flanges to ASTM/ASME standards. Carbon, Low temp, Alloy & Stainless steel grades.
PROJECT & EXPORT SALES Unit 3, 7A Waterloo Ind Est Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire, B50 4JH, UK Tel: +44 (0)1789 772111 Fax: +44 (0)1789 772444 E-mail: sales@dkjones.com
UK SALES West Street (off Snowdon Road) Middlesbrough, TS2 1LZ, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1642 222400 Fax: +44 (0)1642 220556 E-mail: uksales@dkjones.com www.dkjones.com
IPP Group – UK sales@ippgrp.com www.ippgrp.com
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Aluminium HVAC agreement Hydro’s aluminium tubing plant in Denmark and the Turkish company Konveyör have signed a cooperation agreement designed to support customers and make easier their replacement of copper tubing with aluminium in heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Konveyör is a specialist in capillary tubing and can handle fabrication work like bending, beading, swaging and brazing. The agreement brings new opportunities and enables both companies to expand their respective product ranges. The new developments offered can provide top-performing drop-in aluminium solutions for HVAC customers.
and distributors. The company has six production sites in Turkey, supplying appliance manufacturers and other customers in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Hydro specialises in precision-drawn and extruded aluminium tubes, supplying solutions for automotive, solar and HVAC&R heat transfer applications. Hydro aluminium Precision Tubing Tønder as – Denmark www.hydro-aluminium-tube.com
The idea behind the agreement is to help customers in their move from copper to aluminium in their heat transfer applications. Hydro will supply precision-drawn aluminium tubes while
Konveyör, headquartered in Istanbul, is a specialist in tube assemblies based on brazed material, such as manifolds
Deepwater contract for Gulf of Mexico Tata Steel has been awarded a contract to supply pipe for Enterprise Products Partners LP’s new crude oil export pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico’s Keathley Canyon area. The contract will see Tata Steel deliver more than 48,000 metric tons of steel pipe from its 42" mill in Hartlepool, England for the Lucius Development Project, which has the capacity to produce in excess of 80,000 barrels of oil per day. Tata Steel will provide 105 miles (169km) of 18" diameter line pipe. The pipe will be laid at water depths of up to 2,133m (7,000ft) and is designed to meet the required specification for deepwater conditions. Deirdre Fox, director of sales and marketing at Tata Steel, said, “We have a long record of success with providing line pipe for deepwater projects. This is a significant contract Tata steel europe ltd – UK bob.jones@tatasteel.com www.tatasteel.com for Tata Steel. We have excellent dimensional tolerance control within the 42" mill in Hartlepool, which enables us to offer deepwater anti- collapse properties and fast lay rates. This contract enhances our position as the global leader in delivering line pipe for deepwater projects.”
BSS appoints sales manager BSS Industrial has appointed Roger Attisha as the new sales manager for its Austin Stroud brand stainless and carbon steel pipeline offering. With 22 years’ experience within the industrial and building services markets, Mr Attisha has worked for market leading manufacturers of mechanical piping solutions.
a broad, high quality product portfolio, of which Austin Stroud is a key part. My experience so far has been within industrial plastic piping solutions and my new role within BSS will allow me to learn about a new area of industry. I am looking forward to broadening my knowledge of different products and materials and tackling the new challenges that working for the market leading distributor will bring.” Austin Stroud supplies stainless and carbon steel pipeline products to the UK process and utility industry. Working on behalf of BSS, Austin Stroud offers expertise in machined and standard products.
The appointment comes as BSS targets the water, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage markets, and in his new role Mr Attisha will work closely with managers from the Austin Stroud brand to maintain and develop the stainless and carbon steel offering, which is available to customers through the BSS branch network. Mr Attisha commented, “Having worked within the industry for over two decades, I have closely followed the successes of BSS as a market leading distributor. BSS is known for delivering outstanding levels of customer service and offering
Roger Attisha
bss Industrial – UK enquiries@bssgroup.com www.bssindustrial.co.uk
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Wienerberger to acquire Solvay’s stake in Pipelife
added Jacques van Rijckevorsel, group general manager of the plastics sector and member of the executive committee of Solvay Group. Wienerberger AG – Austria communications@wienerberger.com www.wienerberger.com
“Twenty two years ago Solvay and Wienerberger founded Pipelife in order to support a transition from concrete and metal pipes for water transportation to plastic pipes and build a market leader,” said Dominique Clerbois, executive vice president at Solvay Group. “Thanks to the excellent collaboration with Wienerberger this project became a great success with both targets met.” “The Group will use the proceeds from the sale of this plastic processing business to pursue its strategy of sustainable and profitable growth and focus on more strategic activities,”
Solvay and Wienerberger have signed a binding agreement for the sale of Solvay’s 50% stake in Pipelife, a leading supplier of plastic pipe systems, to Wienerberger. Solvay will receive €172mn in cash for the shares, including a special dividend of €10mn. For Solvay the deal represents an enterprise value of around €257mn for its 50% stake when taking into account assumption of liabilities, including pensions and other debt-like items, for about €85mn. The closing was expected in the second quarter of 2012, after obtaining the usual antitrust authorisations.
Solvay – Belgium webmaster@solvay.com www.solvay.com
Pipelife International GmbH – Austria info@pipelife.com www.pipelife.com
Jumbo HSS products for North America Atlas Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group, has partnered with Nippon Steel & Sumikin Metal Products Co, Ltd (NSMP) and Mitsui & Co Ltd to supply hollow structural sections (HSS) to the North American market. The ‘Jumbo’ HSS sizes, which were not originally available in North America, range from 18" to 22" square, and up to 0.875" wall thickness. Atlas Tube will market and distribute these products throughout North America. members of large, long-span trusses, the Jumbo HSS sections offer an alternative to open sections and built-up, welded box sections used in structures with a high load demand. “Now structural engineers have a choice,” commented David Seeger, president of JMC Steel Group. “These products offer improved functional performance and flexibility for engineers who design structures of all types and sizes.”
and timely manner,” said Bradlee Fletcher, structural engineer for Atlas Tube. “Readily available Jumbo HSS will be another option for engineers to do just that, especially for structures with large load demands such as ones in high seismic areas.” In Japan, HSS is commonly used for column applications in multi-storey commercial buildings, as well as parking garages. HSS is effective against seismic loads, which was proven during the earthquake in Japan in the spring of 2011. Atlas Tube has been manufacturing HSS for over three decades, in sizes from 1" to 20" round, up to 16" square, and up to 20" x 12" rectangles. The company has five state-of-the- art production facilities, in Chicago, Illinois; Plymouth, Michigan; Blytheville, Arkansas; Harrow, Ontario; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its steel tubing products are used in demanding applications including commercial and industrial building columns, solar support structures, sports stadiums, bridges, mobile construction equipment, railcars and oil rigs.
“As an engineer, you want all the tools at your disposal to effectively solve design challenges in a cost-effective
Typically used in vertical column and diagonal bracing applications and as
Atlas Tube’s new Jumbo HSS ranges from 18" to 22" square and up to 0.875" wall thickness
Atlas Tube – USA/Canada sales@atlastube.com www.atlastube.com
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business & market news
Subsea installation contract in Australia Technip has been awarded a pipeline installation contract by Woodside Energy Limited for the Greater Western Flank Phase 1 Project, located 130km northwest of Karratha in Western Australia. A (GWA) platform, and represents the next major development for the Woodside-operated NorthWest Shelf Project. execute the contract, with support from the Singapore office. Offshore installation will be carried out by the Global 1200 or the Global 1201, two flagship vessels that joined Technip’s fleet through the recent acquisition of Global Industries.
The contract scope includes load out, transportation and installation of 16km of 16" gas flow line from the Tidepole manifold to the GWA platform. Technip’s operating centre in Perth, Australia will
This pipeline will link the Goodwyn GH and Tidepole fields via a subsea tie-back to the existing Goodwyn
Technip – France www.technip.com
BORU 2013
The 8 th International Tube, Pipe, Fittings And Machinery Fair will be held between 28 and 30 March 2013. There are some new sections and regulations about the fair, which the organisers are pleased to announce to all industry colleagues. The target regions for the event are Turkey, North Africa, the Middle East, Turkic Republics and Eastern Europe, and it will include two new sections: iron and steel (flat products); and OCTG and pipeline technology, with a concurrent technical conference at the same venue. Conference rooms will be used free of charge for up to 45 minutes by the exhibitors in order to make their presentations/meetings. The visitor programme will be held again for more than 15 countries, mostly from North Africa and the Middle East. The programme includes flight, hotel and transfers of foreign visitors. This service has a promotional price and many advantages.
Consistency is the ‘mother’ of precision.
To achieve seamless perfection in your drawn and reduced finished tubes, you need ‘mother’ (or ‘starter’) tube hollows with extreme uniformity of wall thickness and consistent concentricity. And that means your search begins and ends at Tube Hollows International (formerly Dearborn Precision Tubular Products of Fryeburg, Maine). We can meet your specs precisely for deep hole drilling, trepanning, honing, grinding and turning …working with all commercial and medical grade alloys— stainless, titanium and carbon steels … for a range of demanding industries— aerospace, medical, oil & gas, nuclear and automotive . For ‘mother’ (or ‘starter’) tube hollows with the most consistent concentricity and extreme uniformity of wall thickness, count on the world leader in seamless precision: Tube Hollows InTernaTIonal
Contact us today for a free quote or to discuss your needs: 207.935.8823 • info@tubehollows.com
395 Portland Street, PO Box 160, Fryeburg, ME 04037 USA T 1.207.935.8823 • F 1.207.935.8824 • TubeHollows.com
Ihlas Fuar as – Turkey info@ihlasfuar.com www.borufair.com
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July 2012 Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal
business & market news
Norma acquires connector systems supplier
this provider of specialised joining technology for medical engineering Norma Group will get better access to customers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. We will make use of the expertise of Connectors to extend our product portfolio and will improve our global leadership in joining technology even further.”
connector elements that meet the highest purity standards for medical sterile technology. The product range includes clamps, valves, tubes and joining solutions for the transport of fluids and gases in medical applications. The company also offers consultancy and planning services for pharmaceutical process plants.
Norma Group AG has acquired Connectors Verbindungstechnik AG, effective 19 April 2012. The parties agreed to maintain confidentiality on the details of the transaction. Connectors, based in Tagelswangen, Switzerland, specialises in connector systems for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
Norma Group AG – Germany info@normagroup.com www.normagroup.com
Werner Deggim, CEO of Norma Group, commented, “With the acquisition of
For more than 25 years the company has been manufacturing and distributing
Spotlight on new technology ClampOn has been named as recipient of a Spotlight on New Technology Award by the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), for its development of the Subsea Corrosion-Erosion Monitor (CEM). The award showcases technological developments and products that are leading the oil and gas industry into the future. ClampOn’s Subsea Corrosion-Erosion Monitor has been designed to operate in water depths down to 3,000m, and the product’s development has been supported by BP and Innovation Norway. The Subsea CEM measures changes in wall thickness over entire sections of pipe up to two metres in length. So far, the system has been delivered to BP and Total.
ten years ago, and this technology has now been adapted for subsea use. The award represents an important step forward for ClampOn, which until now has been best known for its topside and subsea sand monitors, PIG detectors and leak monitors.
ClampOn AS – Norway mail@clampon.com www.clampon.com
Corrosion and erosion represents a huge challenge to operators, and subsea operators in particular.
ClampOn began developing a topside version of the technology
ISCO opens Western Australia facility ISCO Industries, a US-based pipe supplier and custom manufacturer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping products, has opened a new facility near Perth in Western Australia. This is the company’s second facility in Australia, with the first being located near Brisbane, Queensland.
offers custom HDPE fabrication to provide piping solutions for multiple applications, such as mining, industrial, municipal, power, environmental, geothermal, golf, culvert-lining and landfill, throughout the United States and internationally.
Perth area was seriously considered as a location due to the amount of polyethylene piping systems being welded in Western Australia,” said Trace Temcoff, ISCO’s Australia operations sales manager. “Later that year, however, we decided to open a facility in Brisbane, Queensland. With the continued growth potential that exists in Western Australia, as well as the challenge faced to properly service the market from across the continent, it became obvious we needed to better support our customers with current and future projects in this area.” ISCO Industries, a customised piping solutions provider headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, stocks and sells a wide variety of piping materials, and
The company also rents, services and sells McElroy fusion equipment.
The new facility will support ISCO’s McElroy fusion machine sales and service offerings for Western Australia customers, offering McElroy fusion machines for sale and hire. One of the main industries served from this facility will be Western Australian mining operations.
The company has more than 25 facilities in North America, inventorying large stockpiles of pipe, including HDPE pipe, usually within a one-day delivery of most projects.
ISCO – USA trace.temcoff@isco-pipe.com www.isco-pipe.com
“When ISCO first decided to set up operations within Australia in 2007, the
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In-Line Diameter and Shape Control
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ZUMBACH Electronics Switzerland, Argentina, Benelux, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, UK, USA www.zumbach.com
business & market news
Boeing performance award Engineered joining technology company Norma Group AG has received a 2011 Boeing Performance Excellence Award.
of commercial aircraft platforms. The company has a track record of more than 20 years in delivering engineered joining technology products and solutions to the aerospace industry. Norma manufactures a wide range of engineered joining technology solutions in three product categories – clamp, connect and fluid – and offers more than 35,000 products and solutions to approximately 10,000 customers in 80 countries. Its joining products can be found in vehicles, ships, trains, aircraft, domestic appliances, engines and plumbing systems.
“We are very proud of this achievement, which is result of our excellent partnership. Having received the Boeing Performance Excellence Award demonstrates the high quality of Norma Group’s engineered joining technology products and solutions as well as our focus on client service and customer satisfaction,” said Werner Deggim, CEO of Norma Group. “The award also underlines the great dedication of our employees to high performance standards in order to meet and surpass our customers’ expectations.”
The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognise suppliers who have achieved superior performance. Norma Group maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period. In the latest awards, Boeing recognised 529 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award.
Norma Group AG – Germany info@normagroup.com www.normagroup.com
Norma Group supplies worm-gear hose clamps to Boeing for use on a number
Moscow offices for Danobat Spanish machine tool manufacturer Danobat Group has opened new offices in Moscow. Russia, defending the interests of the company, and assisting in dealing with the performance of contractual obligations to supply equipment.
Danobat Group believes Russia to be a priority market, in view of the active development of the railway, oil and gas, and aircraft industries, where the company is a leading provider of technology solutions.
The offices will become a service centre and also a representative office.
The service centre will provide a local team of engineers, full service of machines installed, and storage of spare parts for faster delivery.
Danobat Group – Spain asegues@danobat.com www.danobat.com
The representative office will aim to promote the company’s equipment and automated production lines in
Institute of Water innovation award Morrison Utility Services has won the Institute of Water’s first Northern Area Innovation Award. A panel of judges selected the ‘water siren’ as the regional winner to go forward to the Institute of Water National Innovation Award 2012, which is sponsored by Northumbrian Water. programme in 2010 highlighted the need to accurately trace the position of hundreds of thousands of ferrule connection points on distribution water mains. The Water Siren has been developed to trace the position of buried water pipes, of all diameters and all material types (especially plastic).
the requirement for any excavation. In addition, since the signal requires the flow of pressurised water in the pipe to enable it to be traced, there is no customer supply interruption, and no discernible discomfort experienced inside the customer property.” The Morrison Utility Services team, together with other regional finalists, will go forward to the Institute of Water National Innovation Awards. Jonson Cox, chair of the water sector innovation leadership group, will head a panel of judges to select a winner who will be offered the opportunity to showcase their winning idea at Water UK’s 2012 Innovation Hub.
Speaking about the award, Richard Warneford, president of northern area and distribution manager of Northumbrian Water, said, “The Water Siren is unique in that it does not rely on the material of the pipe wall to transmit a signal. The signal generated by the Water Siren does not propagate into any other adjacent utility and therefore eliminates any confusion. The Water Siren can be connected to a domestic garden tap or similar fitting on a stand pipe, therefore completely eliminating
This innovative technology offers a change to the way water distribution pipes can be accurately traced, reducing costs, excavations and delivering enhanced levels of customer service and confidence. The competition was open to individuals, teams and organisations working in the water industry in the North of England with an innovation or innovative idea.
Institute of Water – UK info@instituteofwater.org.uk www.instituteofwater.org.uk
The introduction of the lead replacement
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