TPi May 2014

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business & market news
14 Tube Products International May 2014
Expansion of production facilities in Brazil
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc (ADS)
has announced the start-up of a second
manufacturing facility in Brazil for its
joint venture with Tigre SA. Located in
Maceio, Alagoas, in the northeast of
Brazil, the facility will double Tigre-ADS’s
annual capacity of HDPE pipe. The
new facility will be the fourth operating
plant in South America for the joint
venture.
“From day one, Tigre has shared our
commitment to making quality products
and exceeding customer expectations
anywhere in the world, and that has
led to the success of this venture,” said
Joe Chlapaty, ADS chairman and CEO.
“We are excited to extend the Tigre-
ADS offering throughout such a vibrant
market.”
Established in 2009, Santiago, Chile-
based Tigre-ADS manufactures and
distributes HDPE pipes for a wide
range of markets, including storm
water management, sanitation, mining,
agriculture, telecom and electrical,
throughout South America.
The joint venture also has operations
in Antofagasta, Chile and Rio Claro,
Brazil.
The newly added capacity will allow
Tigre-ADS to continue to meet the
needs created by rapidly expanding
infrastructure development across
South America.
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc –
USA
IPP Group’s new appointments
IPP Group has appointed Ian Crabtree
as business development director.
Mr Crabtree has served as managing
director of International Piping Products
Middle East FZC since 2012, and was
previously group sales director. He
has more than 25 years’ experience
supplying into the oil, gas and
petrochemical industries, both domestic
and international.
IPP CEO Jared Ayres commented, “We
welcome Ian’s return to the UK office to
strengthen our sales and management
team. I would like to thank him for his
two years in the Middle East where he
has developed a progressive company
and opened many new doors.”
Mr Crabtree will continue to have
involvement with IPP Middle East as
well as being responsible for developing
new business globally.
IPP Group has also made two new
key additions to its QA and project
management team. Caroline Adams is
appointed as quality systems manager,
with responsibility for developing the
ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management
System throughout the IPP companies
based at the facility in Barton Under
Needwood, UK. David Such joins the
group as project manager, and will be
handling the project management of the
IPP Scomark facility.
IPP Group Ltd – UK
Ian Crabtree,
business
development
director
Asahi/America to move to new HQ
Asahi/America Inc, a manufacturer
of corrosion-resistant thermoplastic
fluid flow solutions, will move its
corporate headquarters to Lawrence,
Massachusetts, USA, in October 2014.
The 200,000ft2 facility will house all of
the company’s current operations, as
well as providing room for aggressive
development plans.
“I am pleased that we have been able
to secure a state-of-the-art facility in
Lawrence for our new headquarters,”
said Dan Anderson, senior vice
president of sales and marketing.
“This facility will be the perfect venue
to showcase our products and grow
our business.”
The new headquarters will not only
include office space and an expansive
manufacturing and warehouse floor,
but will also allow the 43-year-old
company to host meetings, provide
training seminars and better serve
customers. There are no anticipated
interruptions in business or to
services.
Asahi/America specialises in
solutions for fluid handling systems.
Its corrosion-resistant thermoplastic
fluid handling products include
valves, actuators, pipe and fittings.
The company maintains an extensive
custom fabrication department,
and provides on-site consultation,
supervision and training where
required.
Asahi/America, Inc – USA