TPi October 2008

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newsbusiness & market
10 Tube Products International October 2008
Applus+, one of the ten largest
certification companies and the top
Spanish multinational in that area,
has announced its acquisition of JanX
Integrity Group, USA, a non-destructive
testing and inspection specialist. JanX
will be integrated into Applus RTD,
strengthening its strategic position and
increasing its service offering in the US.
This is the second acquisition since The
Carlyle Group and a consortium led by
Caixa Catalunya took over the majority
of the company last November. At the
start of 2008, Applus+ bought MBI, a
UK non-destructive testing leader.
JanX is primarily focused on the on-shore
pipeline markets, offering x-ray based
testing, pipeline integrity services,
project management and consultancy
services. John Newland, founder and
director of JanX, will continue to manage
the operations of the company and will
become part of the Applus RTD senior
management team in the US. JanX’s
client base includes pipeline operators,
refineries and chemical plants. The
company’s headquarters are located
in Parma, Michigan, with 14 supporting
offices throughout the US.
Rob van Doorn, director of Applus RTD
commented on the strategic importance
of the acquisition. “The accumulation of
pipelinework in theUS has led customers
to look for vendors that can provide
high-level services and the capability to
complete big projects. Applus RTD has
a strong reputation in the US offshore
markets and the Canadian land-based
market, where we are already market
leader. The incorporation of a well-
established local company, such as
JanX, will allow us to increase our client
base, responding in a positive way to
their demands.”
Applus+carriesoutcertificationactivities
and global technological services,
including inspection, calibration,
testing, approval, technical assis-
tance, training, technology transfer,
management, optimisation, engineering
and R&D. The company serves
more than 25 industries, including
agribusiness, automotive, construction,
transportation, energy, the environment
and telecommunications.
Applus+ – Spain
Applus+ acquires US non-destructive
testing group
Felss Burger appoints
new managing director
Dr-Ing Burghard Schneider has been appointed as manager director of tube
forming technology company Felss Burger GmbH, Germany. Dr Schneider will
develop the company’s technology leadership and expand its international
activities from USA to Asia.
Dr Schneider previously headed Schott HiCotec, producing high vacuum coating
machinery, and the active components division of Optovance Inc, USA.
Felss Burger GmbH, part of the Felss-Group, develops and manufactures
automated, highly flexible customised production systems, with a focus on
forming, autofrettage, assembly and mounting processes of tubular parts. The
company’s machinery and production systems are used in the production of
tube, hose, plate, strip steel and wire parts such as brake and cooling pipes,
common-rail-systems, seating and structuring elements, windshield wipers and
belt pretensioners.
Felss Burger GmbH – Germany
Easier-to-install
pipeline solution
wins major
project
PAM Natural ductile iron pipe, innovative
protection and improved mechanical
anchorage together with cost savings,
technical performance and ease
of installation proved the winning
combination for Saint-Gobain Pipelines
(SGPL) when it secured an £8m Wing
Pipeline contract with Anglian Water
Services.
Saint-Gobain was chosen after an
intensive tender process that included
proposals from suppliers of other
materials, including steel. Ductile iron
was the preferred material because
of its durability, ease of installation,
corrosion protection and commercial
viability.
The objective of the project is to provide
an additional 50 mega litres of potable
water per day, to enable Anglian Water
to meet the increase in demand over
the next 20 years resulting from the
significant development planned for the
area between UK towns Corby and
Milton Keynes.
Raw water will be drawn from Rutland
Water to the Empingham Pumping
Station, then pumped to the Wing
Water Treatment Works 8km away.
When treated, the water will be pumped
to the Beanfield reservoir 15km away
and then, finally, onto the Hannington
Reservoir, which is a further 18km.
In addition to the pipelines, the Wing
programme of work includes new
pumping stations and a new water
treatment works. The total value of the
Wing programme is £115m, of which
the pipeline project comprises £35m.
PAM Natural ductile iron pipe has been
specified in diameter DN900 for 18km
and DN1000 for 23km. The pipes are
coated with 400gm zinc aluminium and
finished with blue epoxy for the potable
section and black bitumen for the raw
water section.
In areas where the ground was deemed
to be highly aggressive, TT coating
was specified. The wider field of
applications for which 400gm natural