TPT September 2008

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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 Griffin
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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USA Office (Editorial only): Intras Limited,
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2 Editorial Index
6 Industry News
42 Technology
Update
130 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
200 Advertisers Index
“This goodly frame, the earth…”
One of the earliest lessons I learned working on Tube & Pipe Technology was to treat
every company and market with fairness from an international perspective. It was vital
to cast any patriotism aside in order to deal with such a vast international market as the
tube and pipe industry. As readers will know from browsing each issue, this magazine is
a broad and all-inclusive canvas of nationalities, without prejudice or bias. Not only is
this good for the industry and the magazine, but as an editor I feel enriched by it.
Globalisation has led to a tight-knit business community without borders that transcends
nationality, culture and religion. It is fascinating to observe how trade in one part of the
world can impact another region, based on a collective effort to overcome obstacles such
as specific trade interests and laws. But just as the world is united in business success,
what is also now felt more acutely on an international scale are economic difficulties.
A prime example of this is the airline industry, which combines business travel, tube and pipe
products and globalisation under one domain. With pressure from economic problems and
the rising cost of oil, the airline industry is currently undergoing a severe crisis. A number of
strategic airline mergers are under review to combat the cutback in flights, spiraling cost of
airfares and lower numbers of passengers in first-class and business class.
British Airways is currently holding talks with Spain’s leading airline Iberia, while in the USA
rivals Delta and Northwest have recently agreed to a $5bn merger deal. There is also the
specter of airlines going bust hanging over the industry. Discussing the aviation difficulties,
Virgin Blue CEO Mr Brett Godfrey, comments, “I am convinced
you will see one of the major US airlines which form five of the
top 10 airlines in the world not being with us by Christmas-time
if fuel stays where it is.” (source: ABC News).
Let’s all hope that the global industry remains successfully
airborne for many years to come.
Rich Sears
Editor • Email:
160 Oil & G as N ews
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