TPi January 2015

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business & market news
12 Tube Products International January 2015
Stockist increases export sales staff
DK Jones Ltd, a UK-based stockist
of butt weld and high-pressure forged
fittings, weld outlet fittings, flanges
and pipe in a wide range of material
specifications, has increased its sales
team with the addition of three new
personnel in its export office.
Customers who have been dealing with
the company for several years may
remember Martin Mac, who previously
worked for DK Jones and has now
re-joined the company. Mr Mac has
many years of experience in the piping
products industry and his extensive
knowledge and ability to source difficult-
to-find items has already been put to
good use to help DK Jones’s customers
and contacts.
Another new addition to the export
sales office is Mark Hipkiss, who
has worked in the tubular products
industry for more than 20 years and has
experience in the sourcing and sales of
materials ranging from carbon steel to
a wide variety of exotic alloys for many
UK and overseas clients.
The third new recruit to the department
is Greg Dare. This is Mr Dare’s first
job in the tubular products industry.
Although he is still learning the in-house
systems and the details of the wide
range of products that DK Jones stocks,
the company says that he is already
an enthusiastic and helpful member of
the sales force and is enjoying getting
to know the industry and its complex
range of products, specifications and
materials.
With a stock of over 4,000 tonnes of
high quality, fully certified materials, DK
Jones regularly supplies standard and
non-standard items and materials to
customers in more than 60 countries.
DK Jones Ltd – UK
DK Jones’s new recruits: Martin Mac, Mark Hipkiss and Greg Dare
Investment in new R&D hub
As part of its ongoing growth and
development strategy, flexible pipe
specialist FlexTech has invested
£500,000 into a new manufacturing and
fabrication base in Lincolnshire, UK.
Since its inception in March 2013,
the company has achieved turnover
of £1mn, and is on track to reach
£2.5mn by the end of year two. With
existing research and development
and manufacturing premises in
Aberdeen, UK, and an R&D facility in
Lincolnshire, FlexTech’s new Grimsby
base will help to expand its presence
across the UK, with plans to extend
its capabilities and offerings into the
renewables sector.
FlexTech engineering director Craig
Keyworth said, “Since start-up,
the company has been performing
successfully within the oil and gas
industry. The new investment
in Grimsby is strategic due to the
region emerging as a key player in
the renewable energy industry, with
potential to become the UK capital of
the offshore wind industry.
“With such clear synergies between
our services and equipment offerings
within the oil and gas and renewables
sectors, and the renewables develop-
ing at such a significant rate, the
placement of our R&D facility in the
region positions us well for an advance
into the sector.”
The newly acquired 1.5-acre facility
with 3,000ft2 office and workshop will
provide FlexTech with a base in the
region, both now and as it increases
staff numbers and service offerings
in the future. The facility will support
the delivery of projects worldwide,
with the team in Grimsby supporting
FlexTech’s increased presence in the
region. With direct access to offshore
wind farms, and quayside access to
the UK’s largest port, it will also allow
FlexTech to offer its range of products
and services to a wider market.
FlexTech’s core business is the delivery
of flexible pipe and riser engineering
projects, marine offloading systems
and integrity management and inspec-
tion. It also has a range of products
designed to facilitate ease of installa-
tion, ensure operational integrity and
prolong the life of the flexible in field.
Flextech Ltd – UK