TPT March 2009

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Contents
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Editor • Rich Sears
Features editor (USA) • Dorothy Fabian
Editorial assistant • Christian Bradley
Production manager • Lisa Benjamin
Design • Julie Tomlin
Sales & marketing • Catherine Sayers
English speaking sales
• Giuliana Benedetto
Italian sales
• Hendrike Morriss
German speaking sales
• Linda Li
Chinese sales
• Jeroo Vandrevala
Indian sales
Advertising • Liz Hughes
co-ordinators Andrea McIntosh
Subscriptions • Liz Hughes
Accounts manager • Richard Babbedge
Publisher • Caroline Sullens
Founder • John C Hogg
Published by: Intras Publications,
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Tel: +44 1926 334137 • Fax: +44 1926 314755
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2 Editorial Index
6 Industry News
28 Technology
Update
88 From T he
Americas
The international magazine for the tube & pipe industries
Tube & Pipe Technology magazine is available on subscription, or via membership of the
International Tube Association – See for more membership benefits
112 Advertisers Index
Keeping faith in the Russian market
It was 2003 when I had the honour to attend the very first Tube Russia exhibition. Started at
the height of Russia’s (and the world’s) economic boom, the inaugural Tube Russia revealed
a market to the tube and pipe community that had hitherto been a bit of a mystery.
At the time, other than the Russian history studied at school, I knew little about the world’s
largest country: its traditions, culture, language, economy and business mentality. But from my
first visit, I discovered Moscow to be a fascinating and complex city, with hidden and enriching
layers beneath a surface hardened by history. The country had clearly been waiting for some
form of economic stability, increased living standards, and free market business.
Tube Russia has now been running for six years, in which time an increasing number of
companies have been drawn into the Russian market. Some rules still apply for this difficult to
penetrate market, such as expensive freight and the necessity to find a regional partner. But a
more open approach is gradually emerging, assisted by easier business policies and a more
dynamic generation of business people.
With the current state of the global economy, and Russia traditionally being a place of financial
instability, the best approach to take with the Russian market is one of faith. While the world
holds its breath over the current economic crisis, the majority of businesses are still out there
trying to carry on as normal.
And this year’s sold-out Tube Russia will be a great opportunity for companies to put this faith
and confidence on display. The event should prove to be as
on-song as ever, especially taking place in the same week as the
Eurovision Song Contest.
To help the industry communicate with the Russian market, Tube
& Pipe Technology has just launched a Russian language news
service. The main news and feature sections will be translated into
Russian every issue and posted on
Rich Sears
Editor • Email:
76 Oil & G as N ews
10
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