TPi September 2014

business & market news

IPP installs 7,000-ton tee press at UK base From its beginnings as a small trading company, IPP has undergone dramatic growth and evolved into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pipe fittings and related equipment. IPP’s market for selling these tees is to existing clientele who require NORSOK M650 approvals, such as Technip, Subsea 7, BP and ExxonMobil, but IPP has also opened up additional markets.

will further upgrade its NORSOK M650 qualification from 22.8mm to 40mm thicknesses for Duplex, Super Duplex and 6 Moly. This will mean that it will have a larger scope of materials from which to make tees, elbows, caps and reducers. Previously, IPP Scomark only produced cold-formed fittings but as of the beginning of next year the company is looking to start up hot-formed operations to meet the increasing demands for both types of product. It will ensure that IPP continues to have the capabilities to comply with the ever- changing specification requirements of clients. IPP aims to be perceived as a one-stop shop for the industry with fabrication arms, a manufacturing arm and a comprehensive range of stock. The IPP Group is on its way to becoming a ‘super stockist’ of Duplex and Super Duplex and as an illustration the company has just signed a deal to put the largest ever stock of Duplex and Super Duplex into Singapore to cover the Asian marketplace. This stock base will reciprocate IPP stocks in the UK. The company has carried out business from Singapore for some time so it knows the markets well, but the new stock base will take it up a notch in doing business in the whole Indonesian region and beyond.

Secondly, IPP is able to access existing worldwide markets to sell its larger tees through its centres in the UK, USA (Houston), the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Singapore, and Australia (Perth and Brisbane) – the main application fields being the offshore oil and gas markets, with some tees being specifically designed for subsea use, and IPP said it is already seeing an increase in orders. The quality assessment for products that come off the new tee press supersedes what is normally carried out for a standard NORSOK M650 manufacturing route and IPP prides itself on its product quality, testing and qualification regime. At IPP, NORSOK is considered a benchmark, but goes beyond this in terms of the stringent requirements it expects of its products. To distinguish itself IPP set out to gain ISO 29001 for its oil and gas divisions, and both of its fabrication divisions – IPP Mardale and IPP Scomark Engineering – have achieved ISO 3834- 2. IPP aims to continually improve the way it works to guarantee its customers’ complete confidence. This year IPP

Over the last eighteen months the company has taken the first step towards embarking on an expansion route by installing a new 7,000-ton tee press on its premises in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire. The press is the first of its kind in the UK and was a considerable investment, not only in financial terms but also in logistics, installation and technical resources. The tee press is capable of manufacturing seamless and welded tees of up to 20" diameter in Duplex, Super Duplex and other grades of stainless steels, and nickel alloys. IPP sees this as yet another great plus to its existing chain of operations. IPP said it has always believed in investing in British manufacturing and the use of local workforces. In addition, with this tee press, it is not only able to expand the product sizes on offer, but is able to do this more efficiently. The company is now producing tees of 20" diameter whereas previously it could only handle those up to 8" and in a limited capacity. A further advantage is that, whereas a product took two or three forming operations to make on the tee press, it can now be made in one step, saving time, labour and costs. Superior Tube Company, a manufacturer of precision tubing for safety critical applications, has appointed Debbie Melnyk as HR director. Based at the company’s head office in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA, Ms Melnyk will have overall responsibility for all HR functions and will have a vital role to play in shaping the business for further global expansion. With more than 25 years’ HR experience, Ms Melnyk has held senior director HR and VP HR positions with a mid-sized, fast-growing technology company and with a large transportation company

IPP Group – UK sales@ippgrp.com www.ippgrp.com Director to help support global expansion

will be valuable in building a strong HR foundation and helping to create a culture that will contribute to the success of the business.” Superior Tube’s products are used in a range of industries, from aerospace to power stations, and oil and gas extraction to medicine. The company’s manufacturing capabilities include seamless and welded tubes, straight lengths and coils, in stainless steel, nickel, titanium and zirconium.

respectively. She is also an experienced leadership coach.

Bob Henry, Superior Tube’s president and CFO, commented, “We’re delighted that Debbie has agreed to join us. Her background and skills will prove to be an essential asset as we implement our long-term strategic plans.” Ms Melnyk added, “It is a great opportunity to be part of Superior Tube during this exciting time of growth and change. I am really enjoying the people here; it’s like a family. As I listen and learn the needs of the business, I am confident that my experience

Superior Tube Company – USA info@superiortube.com www.superiortube.com

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Tube Products International September 2014

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